SHFT Build Gametech Program hosted its inaugural virtual Demo Day on Tuesday July 19th 2022, highlighting a select cohort of 6 startups from across the world that are working in gaming, esports, development tools and more. The event capped a two-month intensive program featuring 33 companies from all around the world, allowing 150+ investors, corporates and government entities to discover some of the most exciting seed and pre-seed Gametech ventures searching for funding and potential partners.

Powered by the leading tech investor in the MENAP region, Shorooq Partners, SHFT Build Gametech Program received more than 150 applications from all over the world. Top applicants were selected to take part in the video based learning program designed with one goal in mind: to help founders in the gaming and esports industry succeed and be seed investment ready.

Over the past 8 weeks, 68 founders coming from 14 different countries spent a total of 300 hours with our purposely design content. Additionally, more than 100 hours was spent on 1:1 coaching and mentoring sessions, enhancing their player acquisition funnels, business models, fundraising and go to market strategies, all with the best mentors in the gaming industry and an unrivaled network of corporate partners, investors, and government entities mandated to build the gaming and esports industry and invest in emerging and leading talent.

“The most successful games today, such as Fortnite, League of Legends, and Minecraft, are communities that retain loyal, long-term users and generate billions of dollars in annual revenue. Games are also driving innovation across the entire consumer ecosystem, pioneering best-in-class mechanisms for user engagement, retention, and monetization, such as microtransactions, battle passes, and web3 tokens. And long term, we believe games infrastructure and technologies will be key building blocks of the Metaverse.” said Mahmoud Adi, founding partner of Shorooq Partners as he addressed the audience.

Besides the in-depth knowledge and mentoring, founders participating in the program receive more than $100K in credits in cloud solutions and core publishing support from global industry players. They also get access to exclusive subsidized business licenses and legal setup support from Sharjah Media City – Shams, TwoFour54 and in5.

“Sharjah Media City is committed to the mission we have been entrusted with; to position

Sharjah as a world-class hub for media and creativity in the region and make creative

entrepreneurship is more accessible to talented creative individuals. Gaming and eSports are undoubtedly an important part of this mission – therefore we were thrilled to join hands with Shorooq Partners on the SHFT Build Gametech programme, which brings together highly talented founders with tremendous potential to work through the programme and place our region firmly on the global Gaming and eSports map.” said His Excellency Dr, Khalid Al-Midfa as he addressed the cohort on Demo Day.

With the next cohort set to take place in October 2022, applications are now open for participants to be part of the next SHFT Build Gametech Program powered by Shorooq Partners. Interested founders should apply through the dedicated SHFT website: shft.shorooq.com