Previous shortlists include 1SpinMillionaire, BlueBat Games, Bookee, Chalkline Sports, Colossus Bets, FastFantasy, Fresh8 Gaming, Gamevy, numberFire and SkillCorner. Pitch ICE in London is no doubt the biggest of them all, giving exposure to around 20 startups selected in a submission process that this year ends on 3 January.' The global gaming market has been growing at a rapid pace, now hitting over an impressive £100 billion. This has been followed, as is to be expected, with a surge in gaming startups both within the UK and throughout the rest of the world, entrepreneurs all wanting to get a slice of this positively booming industry.
The global gaming market has been growing at a rapid pace, now hitting over an impressive £100 billion. This has been followed, as is to be expected, with a surge in gaming startups both within the UK and throughout the rest of the world, entrepreneurs all wanting to get a slice of this positively booming industry. But within this sea of exciting new potential, who is currently standing out? Who are the top 10 gaming startups in both the UK and the rest of the world?
- This gambling startup is looking to Tinder and Uber to bring bookies into the 21st Century. Love them or loathe them, it is hard to deny that bookmakers and betting shops have become a major part of the national psyche since they were legalised in the UK over 50 years ago.
- He opportunity for gaming startups to debut their companies to the wider gaming industry at ICE London has been enhanced with confirmation that this year’s Pitch ICE stage will have a new high profile location on the gaming industry’s prestigious show floor, on 4-6 February 2020, at ExCeL London.
Throughout this piece TechRound will be exploring the top 10 gaming startups to watch.
GameAnalytics (UK)
Founded by Morten Wulff in 2011, GameAnalytics is a free online service which enables game developers to analyse their games and make further, monetising improvements. It allows developers to both collect and analyse data from players of the game all in one clearly-displayed and easy to use platform.
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The service was the very first online analytics platform designed specifically for games, with a mission to “build a powerful, free service that helps developers worldwide monitor and improve everything about their games.” The service is free to use, and is there for all sorts of developers; from indie designers to those working on more large-scale projects, the service accommodates for all types of developers.
Hutch (UK)
Hutch is a relatively small operation based just off Shoreditch High Street, but the waves they have made in recent years are significant. Founded by five former Playstation UK employees, Hutch has grown to include dozens of staff members and it’s expanding further. The focus is primarily on mobile games, with the most successful titles being addictive racing games such as Race Off, MMX Racing and Smash Bandits.
Playtonic Games (UK)
Founded in 2015 by a group of previously well-established game designers (some of which holding 30 years-worth of experience in the gaming industry), Playtonic Games was created in Derby in the UK, and has since launched their first ever game in 2017. This game is called Yooka-Laylee, and was funded for in the summer of 2015 by Kickstarter. Yooka-Laylee raised an impressive £2.1 million through Kickstarter, and is one of the most funded for games UK Kickstarter has ever had.
FaceIt (UK)
FaceIt has probably had one of the most unbelievable success stories of any startup in recent memory. Having started as a tiny outfit just a few short years ago, it has gone onto amass over 8 million monthly users and is now receiving glowing op-eds in national publications.
FaceIt’s success is down to its having tapped into one of the largest emerging markets in entertainment: eSports. The company hosts and facilitates video game tournaments, which have become immensely popular in the last decade and now attract hundreds of millions of spectators.
Popular sports include League of Legends and Counter-Strike, filling entire stadiums with eager spectators. Popularity has grown to the extent that you can now place bets on eSports players like you would a footballer, with entire websites dedicated to showing the latest eSports odds. FaceIt’s success is owed largely to spectacularly good timing.
Resolution Games (Sweden)
Resolution Games is a startup that is focused on developing games for smartphone devices in the form of mobile apps. Founded in 2015 in Stockholm, this particular start-up has a specialisation in VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) technology. Resolution Games has stated that they “aim to go further when it comes to what one can do with VR and AR across social engagement, character development and gameplay – taking full advantage of the incredible sense of presence and immersion possible with VR and AR.”
Resolution Games have already created numerous different VR games – e.g. Bait!, Narrows, Wonderglade, and many more. Resolution Games are a team of highly skilled game developers, “a team of veterans and multitalented people who draw, design, code and produce everything with a pure passion for gaming.”
Ustwo (UK)
London-based ustwo was founded in 2013 and is probably most famous for producing one of the most beautifully designed indie games of all time. Monument Valley is a mobile puzzle game and it won the 2014 Apple Design Award. Since then the company has been scooping up lucrative contracts left, right and centre, with a number of major projects in the pipeline as they beef up their team. Recent clients include Samsung, Jaguar Land Rover and Foursquare.
Playsnak (Germany)
Founded in 2015 by a team of expert game developers, Playsnak was created out of the pursuit for a “new kind of next generation gaming company” (as claimed by founder and CEO of Playsnak Paha Schulz). This “new kind of next generation” was set to push forward the joining of digital, online gaming with VR technology.
Playsnak launched in Berlin, 2016, after Schulz had successfully secured $2.5 million in seed investment. In only a few years, this impressive startup has developed such successful products as Wanted Killer VR, Fantasy Squad, and Neon Seoul: Outrun, to name a few of the many.
Space Ape (UK)
Located in the heart of Soho, these guys have managed to successfully tap into the lucrative mobile gaming market, developing hugely popular releases such as Rival Kingdoms and Transformers: Earth Wars. Their rapid success is perhaps best exemplified by their recent contract with the University of London to provide a masterclass on game development to students across the city. It’s hard to find a better badge of honour than that.
The UK startup ecosystem is so dynamic because of the country’s long tradition of fostering the growth of smaller enterprises and to see this so clearly reflected in the budding games industry is hugely encouraging. Long may it continue.
Snowprint Studios (Sweden)
Founded in Stockholm in 2015, Snowprint Studios is company of gaming developers focused on creating mobile games. This exciting startup has claimed that it wants to make player’s experience of a game both richer and more accessible. Snowprint Studios have managed to accrue an impressive funding pot of over $10 million (USD) in only two years.
The company still resides in Stockholm, Sweden where it was founded, and is known for producing the Legend of Solgard, with “Project Idun” currently on the way, the company displaying the interesting comment on their second game that “With the Berlin team’s passion for and experience with turn-based tactics, there’s a good chance we might be heading in that direction. Only time and this website will tell what that means exactly.”
Iron Mountain Interactive (Austria)
Launched in 2017, Iron Mountain Interactive is a gaming development studio with its HQ in Vienna. Founded by Michael Borras, Helmut Hutter, Phillipp Seifried and Peter Ehardt, the company have secured funding in China of $3 million, and are planning to use this, as Borras has commented, “to continue growing our operations and financing production on two PC/Console games, both with 2019 release dates”.
Here at TechRound, we are always looking for good startups and promising companies in any field to feature on our site. This time, we wanted to focus on the food industry. So, without further ado, here are 10 food start-up companies that we are really excited about and we believe deserve recognition. These are in no particular order and we are excited to have each one of them featuring in our article. For any questions, please email me on [email protected]
1. SushiDog
About the Business
The brand-new Japanese on-the-go food experience in Westfield White City. SushiDog offers made-to-order sushi burritos and poke bowls – perfect for foodies with a love for sushi, looking for something new and exciting. Lifelong friends, Greg and Nick are the co-founders of SushiDog. After struggling to find freshly made sushi that can be eaten on the go, they set out on a mission to create a young, fun brand that serves up sushi in a whole new way. SushiDog allows people to enjoy delicious made-to-order sushi rolls and bowls without having to come to a standstill. Whether it’s roll or bowl, they’re sure you’re going to love this convenience sushi brand that actually makes sushi, convenient.
The concept is based around choosing between roll and bowl. You can go for a SushiDog roll – a delicious and freshly prepared sushi burrito – or a SushiDog bowl. Both options are filled with a combination of mouth-watering ingredient such as ahi tuna, burnt sweetcorn and avocado.
Sushi Dog’s Growth Plan for 2018
We’re really excited about what the remainder of 2018 holds for SushiDog. We’re looking to expand quickly and already have some exciting growth plans. We expect to have our second store open by the end of 2018, which will continue our approach of targeting high footfall areas frequented by both shoppers and workers. Alongside the retail expansion, we’ve already started catering for business lunches around London with plans to expand this side of the business rapidly. We’re soon going to be focusing on providing complete bespoke packages for private and corporate events.
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2. Raw Halo
About the Business
Raw Halo are fast becoming the go-to healthier chocolate brand across the UK. They produce a range of chocolate bars which are raw, organic, vegan friendly, gluten-free, and refined sugar free. Since launching in 2015, they’ve experienced fast growth due to the growing demand for organic and dairy free products, and as such now boast over 1,000 stockists across the UK and beyond, stores such as Harrods, Selfridges, Ocado, Planet Organic and Whole Foods to name but a few.
Raw Halo’s Growth Plans for 2018
The brand aims to continue its growth across the UK with expected launches into other UK supermarkets (they recently launched into Morrison’s stores). Founder Meg commented “Our mission now is to bring our healthier chocolate to more and more consumers across the UK. We want to challenge the chocolate category and the sugar-filled chocolate brands with an innovative and exciting product”. Beyond the UK, the brand has growth plans to expand around the world. They recently launched into supermarkets in the Middle East and Australia, and will be targeting other regions in the coming years.
3. Sweets in the City
About the Business
Sweets in the City sell beautifully packaged and personalisable sweet gifts online at www.sweetsinthecity.co.uk . We sell our core range of gift products through a range of fantastic stockists including Selfridges and Harrods and are launching a brand new set of ‘grab and go’ treats for personal consumption in early 2019, that will continue to have the premium taste and feel of our existing range. The company was launched by Sarah Lynn who partnered with Lord Sugar after winning The Apprentice in 2017.
What are Sweets in the City’s growth plans for 2018?
We have so many exciting things happening this year. As mentioned we are doing lots of NPD and developing a grab and go bag range that includes manufacturing our own product for the first time! Plans are also afoot to grow the corporate side of the business and the letterbox treats offer will be developed to include new designs, fills and limited editions.
4. Juici Jerk
About the Business
Juici Jerk is a new age Caribbean cuisine run by brothers Troy & Jarrell Johnson dedicated to reinventing how Caribbean food culture is perceived and removing the stigmas associated around typical Caribbean cuisines.
We look to change the rules. Combining our British & Caribbean heritage with our love for food and cooking we aim to spread a new age taste of the Caribbean by offering a brand-new feel to Caribbean cuisine.
We started JUICI in 2017 running a ‘delivery service’ from our mum’s house with a iphone 6, snapchat, my car and a love for cooking.
Fast forward a year we are now operating on Ubereats & Deliveroo at a permanent address in Tooting, South West London with over 500 people tasting our food every month as well as attending a variety of festivals and street food events.
Juici Jerk’s Growth Plans for 2018
Our plans for 2018 is to get a small, intimate restaurant or space where people can come in, sit down and enjoy what we have to offer, something like Boxpark Croydon where the energy fits our brand.”
5. MISFITS
About the Business
At MISFITS we aren’t your typical protein company. We aren’t all bodybuilders or gym junkies, but we still understand the power of protein to help keep your body strong and your mind sharp. That’s why we make great tasting, everyday protein products for women, to help you stay on top of your game, whether you’re working out or just working late. With all natural ingredients, no added sugar and just the right amount of high-quality protein, MISFITS helps you #FuelYourBest day in and day out.
MISFIT’s growth plans for 2018
We’re really excited for the future in retail, particularly with the Protein Wonderballs. We have gained national distribution for the balls and they launch into the convenience checkout points of a leading supermarket this September. We think the reason for this is our points of difference when it comes to our snacks. For every 1g of protein you take on with the Wonderballs you are consuming less sugars and calories to competitors.
Other areas of growth are online and digital. With a new website launching August 2018 we’re excited to see month on month growth online building out our ever growing MISFIT community of women. The future is very exciting for MISFITS after only going a short 2 years!
6. HOU
About the Business
We’re HOU!, the UK’s first ever sweet houmous and we have launched with 3 awesome flavours -Choc-o-Chick, Banoffee and Mixed Berry. All flavours are gluten and dairy free, suitable for vegans and have under half the fat, sugar and calories of the most common sweet spreads. (chocolate spread, peanut butter and jams)
I’m Harry and have had 10 years experience in sales and marketing. Before HOU I was working for Deliveroo, launching the business in the UK, Dubai and Sydney and then went on to launch their alcohol proposition. I looked to start HOU as I sadly have gout, so I cant eat rich foods anymore, I have a dangerous sweet tooth and love houmous. This lead to the thought of sweet houmous….
I approached Jake Finn, an old friend of mine from my teen years about the idea and the decision was not difficult for him to become my partner. Jake is an incredibly talented chef and has been training and cooking for 15 years. Jakes journey began at the Bournemouth and Poole catering college enrolling on a specialized chef scholarship. Since then he has continued to work at some of the most well known and prestigious establishments such as The Ritz, Le Petit Maison and Coya.
Hou’s Growth Plans for 2018
In the next 3 months, we would like to be stocked at Whole Foods, Selfridges and Planet Organic and begin working with wholesalers such as Marigold. Towards the end of the year, we would like to be making progress with Waitrose, with the aim of being stocked in their various stores by Q1 2019.
7. Naked Dough
About the Business
Naked Dough’s Growth Plans for 2018
8. Blondies Kitchen
About the Business
We’re the UK’s first and only Milk & Cookie Bar. We launched our first permanent concession in Selfridges food hall nearly 1 year ago (Sept 14th 2017). Since then we’ve launched more pop ups and are currently in what we call, our little microshop at 1 Kingly Street in Soho. We’re popping up there until October 2018.
Our menu consists of 8 freshly baked cookies, including a vegan and gluten free option. We hand roll, bake and finish every single one of our cookies using absolutely no machinery. We also sell raw edible cookie dough in tubs with a shot of milk for pouring over, our legendary Cookie Icon- 2 minis milk choc cookies sandwiched with our honeycomb & chocolate mousse and cereal milk in bottles. We were the first in the U.K. to sell bottled cereal milk, including Coco Pops and & Frosties flavours. We adapt our menu seasonally and have some amazing Christmas flavours coming this year!
Blondies Kitchen’s Growth Plans for 2018
For 2018, we hope to spread milk & cookie love further and wider. We currently only deliver to London through our online store but plan to deliver nationwide by mid 2019! Our goal is to keep using the best possible ingredients and launch a wider range, including cookie wedding cakes for summer 2019.
9. Allplants
About the Business
Allplants is a B-Corp aiming to become Earth’s most forward-thinking food company. Allplants believe food is the bridge between people and planet, so put social impact first, while feeding the world delicious, plant-based food. Dishes including their Cashew Mac, Fiery Jerk Jackfruit, Lasagne Noci and BBQ Burrito Bowl, start from £4.99. Earlier this year, their Fiery Jerk Jackfruit and Smoky Soul Chilli won Great Taste Awards, proving that plants pack a punch.
Allplants Growth Plans for 2018
Switching to a plant-based diet is the most impactful way to reduce your environmental footprint and with only ¼ of Brits getting their 5-a-day, allplants are helping people and planet thrive. Allplants has developed a delivery service that makes it effortlessly easy to eat more plants: sending healthy, chef-made, vegan meals, straight to your kitchen. Allplants has now served over 250,000 meals nationwide to plant-inspired foodies. Over the next 12 months, allplants will develop a broader range of delicious ready-to-eat foods, accelerate the growth of its community, continue building a world class team, and expand the capacity of its production kitchen, which will operate off renewable and waste-created energy.
10. Crosstown Doughnuts
About the Business
Crosstown is a London brand specialising in fresh handmade sourdough doughnuts and specialty coffee. The business was founded in May 2014, launching as a market stall on London’s Leather Lane, and has since grown to several sites across central London.
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As a scratch bakery, Crosstown make their doughnuts fresh 365 days of the year. Using the finest quality ingredients, sourced locally and from around the world, the signature sourdough is rolled by hand whilst all jams, compotes, glazes and fillings are made in-house.
Crosstown is an independent business founded by JP Then and Adam Wills, the current directors who remain active in running the business.
Our locations:
- City – 115 Cannon Street, EC4N 5AW
- Marylebone (Vegan) – 5-6 Picton Place, London W1U 1BL
- Fitzrovia – 13 Newman St, London W1T 1PB
- Piccadilly – 35 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0DW
- Victoria – 14 Sir Simon Milton Square, London SW1E 5DJ
- Soho – 4 Broadwick St, London W1F 0DA
- Shoreditch – 157 Brick Lane, E1 6SB
- Camden Market – Arch 728, Camden Market North Yard, Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8AH
- Spitalfields Market – 6 Lamb St, London E1 6EA
- Brockley Market (Vegan) – Lewisham Way, Brockley, London SE4 1UT
- Real Food Market Kings Cross – Kings Cross Square, Euston Road, N1C 9AL
- Leather Lane Market – Leather Lane, EC1N 7TS
- Broadway Market – 75 Broadway Market, E8 4PH
- Victoria Park Market (Vegan) – 56-57 Gore Rd, London E9 7HN
- Riverside Market – Riverside Walkway, Gabriel’s Wharf (near Oxo Tower), London, SE1 9LT
Crosstown’s Growth Plans for 2018
Looking ahead to 2019, we remain focused on growing our presence in central London across our target channels – these being retail shops, online, catering and select wholesale.
Retail – There are a number of locations we would like to be in, and it’s a matter of finding the right space at the right price. We are always looking but we are also in no rush to expand too quickly.
Online – We see this as a high growth area for the brand and are now offering same-day deliveries direct from our website, in parallel with marketplaces. We have invested into technology to create the ability to use our locations as an On-Demand E-Commerce Network. Although we are an SME that is still very young, we are developing a truly integrated omni-channel retailing experience that is scalable. We think it’s a really exciting time to be a brand online, even if our product only has a one-day shelf life!
Catering – the enquiries for special events, corporate gifting and weddings/celebrations continue to grow. We are very proud that people use Crosstown as a premium vehicle to make an impression and satisfy tastebuds.
Wholesale – although less of a focus compared to the other channels, wholesale plays an important part in our business, which is why we continue to work with the likes of Wholefoods, Air New Zealand (served on business class / premium economy for flights from London to LA) and many other operators who value our product and share the same target customer.