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Abertay awards six companies with investment

£25,000 handed out to each business as more invited to apply for second round of funding

The University of Abertay Dundee has announced the first beneficiaries of its investment fund, with six projects receiving funding from the Dare to be Digital organisers.

The fund was established for launching new video game and digital media business and initially considered 57 applications from across the UK. The six successful applicants are: 14 Principles, Bookmarked Games, Dry Ice Studios, FluffyLogic, Setgo and Triple B Games.

Independent commercial analysis of the short-listed applications was conducted by Games Investor Consulting. The Prototype Fund is financially backed by three partners: the European Regional Development Fund, the UK Government (administered by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills), and Abertay University itself.

Each recipient will receive £25,000 in funding, development support and access to the Prototype Fund's "talent pool" of skilled students and graduates. The projects themselves range from a Facebook game to a PC tool for game developers.

Applicants for a second round of funding are already being accepted, with submissions closing on April 29. Further information can be found at the official website.

"Abertay University's investment fund has made a critical difference. It means we can develop the game prototype to a point where we're in a much stronger position to secure further investment, negotiate a better deal for our company and our staff, and to maintain the vision for what we want our game to bring to children and their families," said Jeremiah Alexander of Bookmarked Games.

"The fund also looks set to be a great launch pad for talented graduates to develop their skills and keep them in the UK. This is vital for the future of the country's games industry. We're taking on four graduates through the fund and so are fully committed to ensuring this project helps launch their careers in this sector."

"There has been a very high level of interest in the Prototype Fund and the project has already been cited as an excellent example of targeted support in the recent Scottish Affairs Committee report on the games industry," added Paul Durrant, director of business development at Abertay University

"As well as allowing young companies the opportunity to develop a working prototype to secure further investment, the fund will also provide a fantastic opportunity for students and graduates to develop their skills by working on the successful projects."