As a sure sign that the games industry landscape continues to evolve, The Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) has announced that it is launching a games business incubator program to turn games development students into entrepreneurs with the know-how to run their own games studio start-up. It's a first-of-its-kind for the games education sector with the AIE taking the lead...
"The AIE was the first educator in Australia to offer nationally accredited courses for the interactive entertainment industry. This is another world-first initiative that is well placed to provide real employment" - Vicki De Margheriti, AIE CEO
The new 12 month incubator program is focused on providing students with the right skills to establish and build out their own business, and commercialise their own games for various platforms, all with the intense mentoring and support of industry practitioners, consultants, and teachers.
Students will be allocated all the necessary equipiment, software, and office services (internet, reception) that a start-up company would need. AIE Chairman, John De Margheriti, sees the incubator program as putting the AIE in the forefront of harnessing innovation and new business growth in Australia.
"As a successful entrepreneur I know the level of dedication and seed capital needed to bring forth a good idea to market...
We don't expect all the ideas and ventures to succeed, but we do expect to become a future powerhouse of innovation and job creation in Australia. The AIE and its investor benefactors are putting their money behind AIE’s graduates, and the wealth and IP created staying with the graduates." - John De Margheriti, AIE Chairman
The new line up of initiatives consists of a Vocational Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship, three Business Incubator Centres (in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra), a $4,000 Games Conference Scholarship and a $6,000 Business Development Scholarship.
Enrolments for Stage 1 of the Incubator Program are now open and interested persons are encouraged to attend an Information session at each AIE Campus from 6 - 7pm, Thursday 13th October 2011, or find out more online at www.AIEincubator.com To arrange interview or for more information, please contact Celine Battendier, Marketing Coordinator on 612 8514 8800 or 0404 836 036.