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Sponsors announced as DARE Academy 2025 kicks off for the summer
The sponsors for this year’s Abertay University DARE Academy competition have been announced.
Longstanding partners Henderson Loggie and Lindsays are once again supporting the university’s flagship video game development contest.
Returning this summer, DARE Academy will see six talented undergraduate teams dedicate the coming months to creating innovative game prototypes. Their efforts will be guided by Abertay academics and seasoned mentors from the games industry, building creativity and skill development among the next generation of game developers.
The competition continues to benefit from industry sponsorship and involvement, with partners offering on-campus mentoring and guidance to help shape each team’s creative direction and support their professional growth.
Designed to mirror the realities of working in the games sector, DARE challenges students from across the Faculty of Design, Informatics and Business to collaborate across disciplines – producing innovative, technically sound, and market-aware prototypes.
Once the teams finished developing their games, they will battle it out for a chance to win £5000 which will be chosen by a panel of top industry judges.
Technology lawyer Alastair Smith, a Partner in the Corporate team at Lindsays, has been part of the legal firm’s team supporting DARE Academy contenders for a number of years.
He said:
The finalists in this year’s DARE Academy once again show not just the tremendous creative talent which is being developed in the gaming sector in and around Dundee, but its massive economic impact and potential. Games which achieve the greatest commercial success are those which combine creativity with business acumen. They are the ones which stand a greater chance of attracting investment, with creators who understand how to protect their intellectual property rights, deal with employment issues, know where to turn to consider the detail of investment offers and so much more. As a firm, we are delighted to continue our support for DARE Academy. I cannot wait to meet the finalists and share some insight which hopefully helps them on the path towards blockbuster success.
Grant Snedden, Head of Henderson Loggie's Video Game Developers sector group, said:
We're really proud to continue our sponsorship of DARE Academy, a showcase of the bold ideas and remarkable talent shaping the future of the games industry. Every year, the creativity and technical skill on display never fails to impress. We’re proud to support Abertay University and to play a part in nurturing Dundee’s dynamic and world-renowned gaming community.
Dr Dayna Galloway, Head of Abertay’s Department of Games and Arts, said:
We’re incredibly thankful to this year’s sponsors for their continued support. Each partner brings valuable industry insight and expertise that will make a real difference to the students involved. Their input will help guide our teams through the competition and provide lasting benefits as they move forward into their professional careers.
