Today, the IGDA Foundation announced that it’ll bring promising indie developers to Gamescom via its Questline: Gamescom program.
For budding indie studios, attending the biggest gaming convention in the world in Cologne can be a career-boosting opportunity, but for many, it’s financially prohibitive to achieve on their own.
That’s why the IGDA Foundation is taking on the task of bringing selected indie developers to the event free of charge.
In order to achieve that, they’re seeking sponsors who are willing to help shoulder the cost of the initiative. Those partners can offer $5000 to sponsor one participant’s full Gamescom experience, including travel, lodging, mentorship, business education, and on-site guidance.
Those who are willing to be a sponsor can reach out directly to IGDA Foundation Executive Director Alyssa Walles by May 27.
This matters to budding indie developers, as they receive the following advantage:
- Global networking opportunities
- Mentorship from experienced industry leaders
- Publisher and investor readiness support
- Business and leadership training
- A stronger path toward long-term studio sustainability
If you’re unfamiliar with the IGDA Foundation, it works side-by-side with the International Game Developers Association, and it’s a charitable organization created to serve underrepresented and marginalized independent game developers regardless of where they are located, offering professional development programs, mentorships, scholarships, and game jams. It has been active in the industry for nearly 20 years.
You can find a summary of the Foundation’s activities in 2025 on the official website.
If you’d like to know more, you can check out our interview with Alyssa Walles herself, recorded at Gamescom last year, to hear directly from the source what the IGDA Foundation does and why it matters.
