Quickload: a fund dedicated to startups in the gaming sector, sponsored by Microsoft
Here is the official press release with all the details.
Second edition for Quickload powered by OGR Torino:
up to 10 million investment for the most promising startups of the program dedicated to the gaming sector
34BigThings, the Turin-based development studio partner of the project together with OGR Torino and Microsoft, will manage a fund allocated by the parent company Saber Interactive to respond more effectively to the financing needs of accelerated projects
Active applications on quickload.dev from 25 July to 30 September 2022
Turin, 22 June 2022 – Up to 10 million annual investments for the first Italian acceleration program dedicated to European startups in the gaming sector Quickload powered by OGR Torino, created by OGR, 34BigThings and Microsoft with ID@Xbox. The call to participate in the second edition will be active from 25 July to 30 September 2022 on quickload.dev.
To the existing network of publishers and investors who since the first edition have played a crucial role in the acceleration project, Saber Interactive will be added which will see Valerio Di Donato, CEO of 34BigThings, at the head of a fund of 10 million euros per year to support the most promising startups.
"The first edition of Quickload highlighted how much the gaming sector represents an interesting vertical for technological innovation and business growth, but above all a key to interpret and face the challenges of contemporaneity – whether we are 'players' or not", - says Massimo Lapucci, CEO of OGR Torino. He adds: "Thanks to the partnership with Microsoft and the new investment fund led by Saber Interactive, the second edition of the program follows a clear direction: the power of the game can change our future for the better. Thanks to projects that leverage storytelling to promote learning and that create new paradigms in favor of social inclusion, the game itself, today, is ready to rise to the next level".
"Quickload is an acceleration program based on soft skills, emotional intelligence and leadership," said Valerio Di Donato, CEO of 34BigThings. "Our goal for the second edition of the program is to increase opportunities for our startups by expanding our investment network. By directly managing the fund allocated by Saber Interactive, we will be able to make a difference in the development of the gaming sector in this country."
"This is an incredibly fertile time for video games," says Andrey Iones, COO of Saber Interactive, "and we are proud to be able to intervene within an innovative and central ecosystem like that of OGR Torino with our fund and our willingness to publish any game worthy of the Saber Interactive brand."
Guy Richards, Head of Global Independent Creator Partnerships at ID@Xbox said: "Our commitment is with independent developers to create innovative games and the Quickload program is an excellent opportunity for all Italian gaming startups to gain further support and knowledge in their journey. The ID@Xbox team is proud to be part of this project at its second edition, alongside OGR Torino and 34BigThings and looking forward to meeting the future selected candidates."
The selected projects will also have the opportunity to be distributed directly by Saber Interactive, the American AAA publisher whose catalog includes titles such as Redout 2, Evil Dead: The Game, World War Z, and SnowRunner.
European startups wishing to enroll in the second edition of this acceleration program can register on the official website of Quickload powered by OGR Torino (http://quickload.dev/). It will be possible to apply from 25 July to 30 September.
As in the first edition, the selected startups will benefit from an individual mentorship program focused on leadership and creating a resilient corporate culture, together with the resources necessary to develop their project during the 6 months they will spend in OGR Tech, the hub dedicated to innovation and networking of OGR Torino.
As An Innovation and networking partner of Quickload, OGR Torino confirms its support for the initiative, not only by providing the venue for the development of the program, but also by providing the skills and resources catalyzed by its ecosystem, which includes over 70 Italian and international companies and financial institutions.
Finally, in addition to confirming the line up of partners Digital Magics, Dpixel, GEM Capital, SellaLab, new collaborations with Catheon Gaming, the fastest growing integrated blockchain gaming and entertainment company, are announced; BuddyBank, the youth bank; WePlay Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on everything related to gaming. New partners will be announced during 2023.
