UKIE, in collaboration with Discord, has introduced the Go To Market Academy, a business initiative aimed at aiding early-stage independent developers

UKIE Go To Market Academy in partnership with Discord, on a dark blue background with abstract geometric patterns.

Image credit: UKIE/Discord

In a new initiative, UKIE has teamed up with Discord and GameFlex to introduce the Go To Market Academy. This program is designed to aid independent game developers in the UK with their business strategies.

The Academy focuses on empowering emerging game creators by equipping them with essential strategies for market entry and nurturing robust community networks.

Covering six online courses, the program will delve into topics like diagnostics, marketing efforts, the effective use of Discord for community interaction, and branding strategies. Renowned industry figures will also share their insights.

Ten to twelve studios will have the opportunity to join the program, which launches with a live session at London’s EGX during MCM Comic Con next month. Subsequent sessions will be virtual, spanning November and the beginning of December.

The last session is another face-to-face meeting, where studios will reveal their developed marketing strategies, which they will have crafted through a collaborative case study throughout the program.

Those interested can submit an application until September 30, 2026.

Nick Poole, UKIE's CEO, emphasized the importance of strategic planning for game launches, noting that many projects falter not due to a lack of creative ideas, but because they lack the necessary community-building efforts. "The Go To Market Academy provides the necessary environment for indie studios to navigate these processes effectively, with valuable input from Discord—a key player in community formation," Poole stated.

Mauro Sanna, Discord's director of public policy for EMEA, expressed enthusiasm for the program: "The UK’s indie gaming sector brims with talent and potential. We are thrilled to collaborate with UKIE, supporting developers in leveraging Discord to foster community connections and fuel the growth and reach of their games."