Vilnius, Lithuania, December 2, 2024 — The Lithuanian government, in partnership with Startup Lithuania and GameBCN, has officially launched the new GameTech accelerator program aimed at supporting local video game studios and attracting international talent and investment. This initiative comes as Lithuania’s video game industry has experienced a remarkable threefold increase in revenue over the past three years, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in Europe.

“The video games industry in Lithuania has grown threefold in revenue over the past three years, and we are now one of the fastest-growing countries in Europe for this sector,” said Gintarė Narakienė, Head of Sector Development at the Innovation Agency Lithuania. “We are working to support local studios as well as attract more international talent, investment, and expertise. A collaborative, thriving ecosystem benefits everyone.” The accelerator aims to provide comprehensive support to selected studios, offering not only financial assistance but also mentorship and advisory resources. “There are many other resources, if not monetary, then advisory, available from the government,” Gintarė added.

The launch event, held last Thursday, attracted figures from the Lithuanian gaming industry like representatives from the Lithuanian Game Developers Association: Rytis Jadzevičius, Nora Navardauskaitė, Ricardas Jascemskas, and Laurynas Vainius, as well as a host of industry professionals and mentors from GameTech.

The GameTech accelerator is powered by GameBCN, a Barcelona-based company that runs several video game programs in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. With the experience of 27 programs on their shoulders that have helped 147 teams, Joan Francesc Bañó, CEO of the company, aims to dynamize the ecosystem by providing valuable mentorship, strategic guidance, and investment opportunities to emerging game studios: “Our vision is to foster innovation, enhance the production capabilities of local developers, and help them scale internationally, positioning Lithuania as a global hub for game development and innovation.” Agne Vitkute, an experienced advisor on the business side of video game studios, will be the local program manager that will guide the teams through the 3-month acceleration.

The first edition of the accelerator will host 11 teams that are developing games, highlighting the diversity and creativity within Lithuania’s burgeoning gaming industry. These include Exer Gale, a VR arcade flying game by Chark Studio; Sheep Sweep, a quirky physics-based action puzzle adventure from Elegant Horse; Shil, a unique perspective-based VR puzzle adventure from Nuostabūs žaidimai; Get Sticked!, a chaotic couch co-op platformer by The Cheeky Stork; Piratoos, a ragdoll physics adventure from Jollybits; Vale’s Echo, an atmospheric horror platformer by Hollow Beak; Sticky Date, a narrative-driven adventure exploring the awkward phase of first dates from Rasa and Simone; The End, a battle royale typewriting horror game from Button Mash; Untitled Hacker’s Game, a hacking simulation by Kibernetinis šakotis; Breach.gg, a game publishing and matchmaking platform by Nordhub; and Ghosts, an AR adventure game from Linasurga.

About Startup Lithuania

Startup Lithuania is the national startup ecosystem facilitator responsible for startup promotion, talent attraction, and investment. The organization provides consultancy, training, and events to foster growth and innovation within the Lithuanian startup ecosystem.

About GameBCN

GameBCN is a Barcelona-based accelerator specializing in incubating and accelerating in promising video game studios. The organization runs several video game programs across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, enhancing production capabilities and accelerating commercialization efforts.