IMIRT, the Irish Game Makers Association, has partnered with creative production hub Ardán to launch the Irish Games Fund, a first-of-its-kind development accelerator aimed at supporting Ireland-based studios ready to move toward commercial game release. The fund is part of a new digital games portfolio supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland.
The Irish Games Fund is a new staged accelerator designed to empower emerging Irish studios through funding, mentorship, and structured development support. The program is a great opportunity for studios to validate their projects, build a playable prototype, and prepare for commercial release.
The Irish Game Makers Association partnered with Ardán to administer the Screen Ireland Digital Games Portfolio
In May 2025, IMIRT and Ardán partnered to manage a €500,000 portfolio aimed at supporting the growing digital games sector in Ireland. The goal is to build on the progress made in 2023 and 2024, helping new studios grow into emerging developers, while also meeting the needs of more established game creators.
The fund will be overseen by a Steering Group, which will include Screen Ireland, to ensure that activities are as impactful as possible.
The Irish Game Makers Association and Ardán are responsible for the design, implementation, and reporting of the initiatives undertaken with the fund, in cooperation with Screen Ireland.
Details about the program
The Irish Games Fund is designed to help developers bridge the critical gap between a playable prototype and a market-ready product. The fund specifically targets teams with existing intellectual property and demonstrable development capacity, offering structured mentorship, financial assistance, and production guidance tailored for commercial outcomes.
An Expression of Interest (EOI) is now open via imirt.ie and will guide the initial selection process. According to the fund’s announcement, shortlisted teams will be invited to participate in a structured programme including development planning, pitching preparation, milestone tracking, and mentorship from industry veterans. Ther e is also an opportunity for up to €73,000 in non-repayable funding.
The deadline for the Expression of Interest is the 21st of August at 5 pm. Application forms will be delivered to those who have submitted an EOI within the next week. You must complete an Expression of Interest in order to receive the Application Form.
The closing date for Application Forms is the 1st of September at 1 pm.
