stc Group continues to support the entrepreneurship ecosystem through inspireU from stc to enrich the region’s games development sector by launching a new program in cooperation with stc play, and Nine66, a Savvy Games Group company, aiming to enable entrepreneurs and game developers to achieve their dreams by providing a tailor-made program for successful game development studios.
This strategic partnership comes under the memorandum of understanding signed at the PGC leaders’ summit in Riyadh at the end of last year. It aims to empower game development studios in line with the National Games and Esports Strategy in Saudi Arabia.
An agreement was signed at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona between inspireU from stc, stc play, and Nine66. inspireU, stc play, and Nine66 will work under this strategic partnership to launch a dedicated incubation program to support the region’s game development studios. inspireU will support the incubated studios, all necessary logistical support, the services of stc Group, a link to investors, workspaces for each incubated studio, local and international exposure through events and conferences, and a possible investment in incubated studios.
stc play will provide digital empowerment, distribution, and technical expertise in the game development industry. Nine66 will provide its services by connecting each incubated studio with relevant international mentors and potential publishing services for incubated studios’ games alongside stc play.
The partnership aims to enable incubated studios to produce globally competitive games in line with the National Gaming and Esports Strategy. The acceleration of the gaming industry in Saudi Arabia is expected to support the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global gaming hub by 2030.
Majed Aljarboua, General Manager of Corporate Fund and Entrepreneurship at stc, stated: “Throughout the years, inspireU has proven its leadership in the entrepreneurship ecosystem and achieved many success stories in the field of business acceleration. inspireU, with the cooperation of the region’s game development leaders, stc play and Nine66, will support emerging game development studios with all its resources and expertise according to Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Gaming and Esports Strategy.”
Badr Almashoud, head of stc play, added: “stc play played a role in the gaming and esports sector under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 through sponsoring gaming events, tournaments, and forums. We at stc play will be the liaison between gaming entrepreneurs and their audiences to inspireU from stc to enable game development infrastructure and Nine66, a Savvy Games Group Company, to enable game development studios.”
Kadri Harma, CEO of Nine66, commented on this partnership: “We are thrilled to launch this new game incubation program in collaboration with inspireU from stc and stc play. This is a great opportunity for us to contribute to the increasing growth of the games industry in Saudi Arabia and to empower startups in line with Nine66’s strategy. We are confident that this program will help us reach our goals of creating a vibrant games development ecosystem in the region.”
