NYCEDC and NYU Tandon Launch Applications for New Digital Game Design Incubator

New Incubator Focuses on Digital Game Design and Development to Establish New York City as a Hub for Digital Game Development and Production

NYCEDC and NYU Tandon Name Incubator's Advisory Board and Game Design Mentor Group

NEW YORK, NY-New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), in conjunction with NYU Tandon School of Engineering, has officially opened and launched applications for the New York City's new digital game design incubator-the Game Design Future Lab (GDFL)-within NYU Tandon Future Labs, a startup incubator network operator founded 15 years ago with initial funding from NYCEDC. The Game Design Future Lab taps into New York City's growing digital game development industry and aims to enable developer growth and success through personalized and strategic mentorship, industry-specific and fundamental business workshops, investor outreach, access to new technologies and network building.

Additionally, NYCEDC and NYU Tandon unveiled the initial members selected for GDFL's Advisory Board and Game Design Mentor Group, which are both made up of industry leaders and experts who will provide support through mentorship, industry-specific resources, and network building.

Mayor Eric Adams' "Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City's Economic Recovery" recognized the digital games industry as a priority, and NYCEDC and NYU Tandon identified an incubator as an effective method to support and build the local industry. The industry's 7,900 jobs in New York City represent a total economic impact of $2.6 billion annually.

"Since the start of the Adams administration, we have launched a multi-pronged strategy to make New York City a global hub for digital games," said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. "Building on the first-ever Mayor's Industry Council, the launch of the 'Made in NY' marketing credit for digital games, and targeted efforts to train the next generation of industry leaders, we are proud to launch a new gaming incubator to support this important industry. The Game Design Future Lab will provide digital gaming startups with the mentorship and resources needed to grow and thrive in the five boroughs. I thank the New York City Economic Development Corporation and NYU Tandon for their partnership on this exciting program."

"As the digital games industry continues to grow in New York City, creating thousands of new jobs, it is critical that early-stage developers receive the resources and mentorship needed to thrive," said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball. "NYCEDC is thrilled to partner with NYU Tandon to uplift this burgeoning creative sector and can't wait to see the inaugural cohort evolve their startups into innovative long-lasting New York City businesses - game on!"

"Kudos to our colleagues at NYCEDC, and NYC Tandon, for their work to launch the new digital gaming incubator, another incredible example of this administration's work to support digital game development in NYC," said NYC Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, Pat Swinney Kaufman. "This program, alongside recent City-led initiatives such as the return of the Microsoft Education Battle of the Boroughs and GDC's presence at The AI Summit New York, show the city's commitment to making NYC a global hub for the digital games industry."

"The digital games industry stands poised to drive unprecedented innovation in New York City," said NYU Tandon Vice Dean for External Affairs and Public RelationsSayar Lonial. "By extending Future Labs' proven startup incubation model to game developers, we're creating a powerful engine for creative and economic growth. Combined with New York State's tax incentives and NYCEDC's support, GDFL will catalyze the next generation of digital games breakthroughs and make the City the epicenter of this new economic driver."

Selected GDFL companies will benefit from the Future Labs' strong 15-year track record of mentoring start-ups across various sectors, with a 93 percent success rate after founding. Participants will also receive tailored mentorship and workshops specific to their startup's goals, as well as connections to the incubator's Advisory Board and Mentors, NYU faculty, NYU Tandon engineering expertise, and office hours with field experts. While based out of NYU Future Labs with dedicated desk space in Brooklyn, startups will also receive benefits and resources such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Hubspot.

The digital games incubator will feature annual cohorts of New York City-based digital game companies who have a functioning design prototype and are able to attend in-person sessions. Participating companies will have access to space and state-of-the-art resources at 370 Jay Street at NYU Tandon's Brooklyn campus.

NYCEDC has partnered with NYU-led incubators since 2009, including the development of the Urban Future Lab (UFL) at NYU Tandon in 2014. NYU's startup incubators are co-located in Downtown Brooklyn in the same building as the Center for Urban Science and Progress, an awardee of NYCEDC's Applied Science NYC Initiative. Collectively, the Future Labs incubator network-including UFL, Data Future Lab and Veterans Future Lab-has supported 428 startups, who have raised $4.6 billion across portfolios, and created 9,510 jobs.

"Given my insight as Chair of the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, the launch of the Game Design Future Lab is a significant step forward for our local economy and the digital games industry," said New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. "By fostering innovation and providing crucial support to emerging game developers, we are not only creating jobs, but also ensuring that New York City remains a global leader in technology and creativity, while improving consumer protections. I proudly support this initiative and look forward to seeing the incredible talent it will nurture."

The GDFL Advisory Board will offer their acumen to the incubator and access to industry, as a means to support the growth of cohorts. The advisory board members include:

• Jane Chen - SVP, Integrated Marketing at Live Nation Entertainment
• Matthew Cohen - Digital Games Agent, Creative Artists Agency
• Ellen Flaherty - Director of Learning, Ecosystem & Growth, Unity Technologies
• Rowan Hajaj - Head of Finance / Corporate Development Rockstar Games
• Yoshi Ishii - Principal, Makers Fund
• Troy Kirwin - Partner, Andreessen Horowitz
• James Lewis - Director of ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program, Microsoft
• Jessica Rovello - Founder / Executive Chair Arkadium
• Matt Lucero - Head of Brand & Product Marketing, Bucklabs
• Michael Worosz - Chief Strategy Officer, Take-Two Interactive
• Dennis Morgan - CCO & Founder, Harlem CoLab
• Krysti Pryde - Executive Director, Playcrafting
• Caden Stobart - Chief People Officer / Head of Operations / Founder
• André Swanston - Chairman Swanston Organization
• Julian Togelius - Director, NYU Tandon Game Innovation Lab
• Yiyi Zhang - Founder Women in Games NYC, Community + PR Manager Heart Machine, Inc., Vice President Arcade Commons

Additionally, the Gaming Design Mentor Group will directly support participants with networking, business development, and the one-on-one support needed for successful growth. Mentors include:

• Ahmed Ansari - Industry Assistant Professor, Integrated Design and Media, NYU Tandon
• Hamna Faisal - Head of Partnerships & Asst. Community Manager at Indie Game Academy, Community Manager at Gumbo
• Yuichi Haga - Game Enthusiast
• Jenna Hanlon - Strategic Partnerships, Netflix Games
• Masaya Heywood - Co-Founder & Business Developer, Outfox Games
• Yohei Ishii - Principal, Makers Fund
• Scott Prather - Senior Manager, Business Development, Mattel
• Katarina Schmidt - Business Development Manager, Rovio
• Henrik Jonsson - Senior Industry Consultant, Radgivery
• Erik Kovac - Head of Marketing, Tilt
• Nicholas O'Brian - Founder, Essay Games
• David Parisi - Associate Professor in the Department of Technology, Culture, and Society, NYU Tandon, Editor of ROMchip
• Julian Togelius - Director, NYU Tandon Game Innovation Lab
• Joseph Zaarour - Founder & CEO, iSolvRisk

Applications for the inaugural cohort are now open through January 20, 2025. Selected developers will be announced in March 2025. Learn more and apply today. For more information, contact [email protected].

"As someone deeply invested in expanding the development and accessibility of entertainment, I am thrilled to support the launch of the Game Design Future Lab," said GDFL Advisory Board Member and Live Nation Senior Vice President Jane Chen. "This program is a game-changer for independent studios, particularly for diverse creators, providing them with the mentorship, resources, and connections they need to shape the future of gaming right here in NYC."

"Unity recognizes NYU's Game Design Future Lab as a pivotal hub for innovation and education, offering a unique opportunity to accelerate game development from concept to market, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in one of the world's fastest-growing tech hubs, New York City," said GDFL Advisory Board Member and Unity Technologies Director of Learning, Ecosystem, and Growth Ellen Flaherty. "By providing strategic guidance, offering expertise, and broadening networks, Unity can help shape the future of game design, support nascent developers, and drive industry-wide collaboration and growth."

"A new wave of creators in NYC are pushing the boundaries of what's possible within gaming and interactive entertainment," said GDFL Advisory Board Member and Andreessen Horowitz Partner Troy Kirwin. "The Game Design Future Lab, created through NYU Tandon and the NYC Economic Development Corporation, combines entrepreneurial innovation with industry expertise to support these creative pioneers. I'm proud to serve as an advisor and help empower the next generation of game developers in New York."

"I'm excited to join the Game Design Future Lab Advisory Board and to help shape the future of game development in New York," said GDFL Advisory Board Member and Arkadium Co-founder & Executive Chair Jessica Rovello. "AI's profound effect on our industry is going to open doors that were previously closed to many aspiring creators - I look forward to helping them bring their bold new ideas to gamers across the globe."

"Engagement drives modern society, and games are the art of it," said GDFL Mentor and Co-Founder & Business Developer of Outfox Games Masaya Heywood. "The Game Design Future Lab is poised to tap into New York's rich cultural history and fuel the creation of games that truly captivate us."

"The value of programs like the GDFL cannot be overstated," said GDFL Mentor & Radgivery Game Industry Growth Consultant Henrik Jonsson. "Bringing local studios together with external expertise and experience, under the supervision of the program leadership team brings out the best in everyone. I am exceptionally proud to be part of this program. By providing game industry startups with guidance, strategy, external expertise and networking, NYU Tandon and the GDFL helps cement a game industry ecosystem from the ground up in the Greatest City on the planet. The game industry in New York deserves its best shot at grassroot success, and through GDFL, with support from the engaged staff, tailored mentors and advisors, and the extraordinary support from industry leading service providers, each individual team gets their perfect start towards success."

"The future of the game industry is bright yet ever changing, this is why we need to guide our next generation of talented developers through the Game Design Future Lab," said GDFL Mentor and Tilt Games Partner & Head of Marketing Erik Kovac. "It's how we can ensure that games made in NYC can leave a lasting impact on the world."

"I'm involved because I want to see NYC become a viable option for small game studios to not only find initial success but also to thrive," said GDFL Mentor and Founder of Essay Games Nicholas O'Brien. "The city is known all over the world as a destination for art and culture, but it should also be the palace where the world looks for genre-defining games."

"I am thrilled to contribute to this endeavor, as amazing games can come from anywhere, and New York City's unparalleled diversity and creativity make it the ideal hub for innovation," said GDFL Mentor & Mattel Senior Business Development Manager Scott Prather. "I look forward to seeing the groundbreaking, genre-defining projects that these talented teams will bring to life with expert mentorship, industry resources, and invaluable networking opportunities that the GDFL will provide."

"Indie developers and small studios are the heartbeat of the game industry, democratizing the medium by giving voices to diverse creators and stories that could very easily go untold," said GDFL Advisory Board Member and Playcrafting Executive Director Krysti Pryde. "They remind us that innovation thrives when creativity meets opportunity; as someone whose goal is to help these developers feel seen, it's an honor to work with the Game Design Future Lab to give developers this opportunity."

"Games are increasingly intertwined into every aspect of the modern world, as those building the world of the future grew up playing games and naturally build on game technology and game design," said GDFL Advisory Board Member and Mentor, and Director of the Game Innovation Lab at NYU Tandon Julian Togelius. "At the same time, technological advances, in particular in artificial intelligence, are enabling radical new ways of designing and developing games. NYU and New York City is world-leading game designers and researchers, and I am extremely excited about the work that will happen in the Game Design Future Labs."

"I am honored to participate in NYU Tandon School of Engineering's Game Design Future Lab (GDFL) accelerator," said GDFL Mentor and iSolvRisk Founder & CEO Joseph Zaarour. "I believe having a dedicated community of support and mentorship is crucial for overcoming the immense challenges of starting a business. As a first-generation Lebanese American who began my journey with zero resources and built iSolvRisk from the ground up, I'm eager to share my story and inspire other up-and-coming entrepreneurs to persevere and define their definitions of success."

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About NYU Tandon
The NYU Tandon School of Engineering is home to a community of renowned faculty, undergraduate and graduate students united in a mission to understand and create technology that powers cities, enables worldwide communication, fights climate change, and builds healthier, safer, and more equitable real and digital worlds. The school's culture centers on encouraging rigorous, interdisciplinary collaboration and research; fostering inclusivity, entrepreneurial thinking, and diverse perspectives; and creating innovative and accessible pathways for lifelong learning in STEM. NYU Tandon dates back to 1854, the founding year of both the New York University School of Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute. Located in the heart of Brooklyn, NYU Tandon is a vital part of New York University and its unparalleled global network. For more information, visit engineering.nyu.edu.

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