Marketable mobile apps made more easily available.

The latest phase of an initiative intended to help high-tech companies in the West Midlands develop viable, money-making mobile applications has just been launched.

The Serious Games Studio (SGS) project will support regional Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) to innovate serious game and mobile app concepts into marketable products.  The project is supported by £499,800 from the European Regional Development Fund and matched by Coventry University Enterprises Ltd. The project is being administered by Coventry University’s Serious Games Institute (SGI), which promotes the work of digital media companies and supports growth in the sector through research and development.

It is aimed at West Midlands SMEs who have an idea for a mobile app or serious game and who require support in order to develop the concept. It is the only programme of its kind in the region to provide tailored business assistance in app development.

The first stage of the project began in August 2010 and ran successfully until July 2013. The activity was very well received within the region and saw the SGI’s dedicated team of technical experts and researchers working with local companies on the practical aspects of taking their ideas for apps and working them up into functioning prototypes. During this period, the project helped 59 SMEs to get their app concepts off the ground and in addition to design and planning, the next phase will provide more detailed guidance on the business model, more in-depth analysis of the market as it stands and advice on the all important pricing strategy that is vital to the fortunes of any new app.

The success of the initial phase of the Serious Games Studio project has led to a high level of interest from SMEs wishing to engage in the next round and with its increased business and marketing focus, the intention is to also encourage potential investors to come on board.