Eight promising games companies from Scotland have been given access to a global gaming powerhouse.
After the success of our programmes in San Francisco and Singapore, we’re excited to announce Techscaler Japan, an international programme designed to help Scotland's founders expand their ambition, connect with new markets, and gain invaluable industry insights.
With Japan being one of the world’s most influential gaming markets, this programme provides a unique opportunity for Scotland’s most promising gaming startups to immerse themselves in the Japanese industry. Over two weeks, participating companies will engage with key stakeholders, showcase their innovations, and explore commercial partnerships that can propel their businesses forward.
Bridging Scotland and Japan’s Gaming Ecosystems
Techscaler Japan builds bridges between Scotland and Japan, fostering industry connections that can lead to game-changing opportunities. The programme is designed to provide founders with direct access to:
- Potential investors seeking to support cutting-edge gaming innovations.
- Industry leaders and competitors to understand market trends and strategies.
- Customers and commercial partners who can help bring games from Scotland to Japanese audiences.
As part of the trip, participating companies will be based at Tunnel Tokyo, a startup incubator operated by SEGA Sammy Group and Pegasus Ventures. This setting will provide a hub for networking, knowledge exchange, and industry immersion.
Showcasing Scotland’s Talent at Expo 2025 Osaka
A highlight of the programme will be a showcase at the Scottish Government’s gaming event at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. With over 28 million attendees expected, this event offers an unparalleled platform for gaming startups from Scotland to demonstrate their expertise, meet key players in the Japanese market, and highlight Scotland’s role in the global gaming industry.
Scotland’s spotlight event on gaming and consumer industries will be held on the 17th April at the UK Pavilion. Techscaler partner Scottish Enterprise is supporting the three events for Scotland at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. More details are available on SDI’s website.
Meet the Techscaler Members Taking Part
Eight leading gaming companies from Scotland have been selected to take part in this exciting initiative:
- BearHammer Games (Glasgow), a virtual reality projects and game developer
- Konglomerate Games (Dundee), develops video game technology for sectors like healthcare and education.
- Buildstash (Glasgow), which helps game developers manage iOS and Android apps
- Yaldi Games (Edinburgh), which develops education-focused software.
- Speech Graphics (Edinburgh), which develops facial animation technology
- Blazing Griffin (Glasgow), a film and games producer and post-production developer.
- Wardog Studios (Edinburgh), which develops virtual reality weapons and vehicles
- GLITCHERS (Edinburgh), a game developer whose titles include a game used to support dementia research.
A Transformative Opportunity for Scotland's Founders
For Scotland-based gaming startups, this programme is more than just a market visit, it’s a gateway to global success. Techscaler Japan empowers founders with the tools, insights, and networks they need to grow their businesses beyond national borders.
Speaking during a visit to Blazing Griffin, Business Minister Richard Lochhead said:
“Japan is synonymous with gaming technology and, with a market valued at around $50 billion, it offers phenomenal economic opportunities for our own, hugely talented Scottish sector.
“Techscaler is about helping entrepreneurs unleash their ability to innovate, spearheading Scotland’s presence in expanding new markets.
“Techscaler Japan will present some of our most exciting gaming start-ups with considerable opportunities to unlock further investment, develop new commercial partnerships and drive and showcase their businesses on a global stage.”*
Justin Alae-Carew, Co-Head of Games at Blazing Griffin, highlights the programme’s significance:
"We're incredibly excited to take part in Techscaler's market visit to Japan. Japan is not only an incredible consumer and producer of games, but also home to a fantastic array of multi-media intellectual property (IP). We see huge opportunity in exploring cross-border partnerships with a specific focus on IP - either Japanese IP coming to the West or Western IP gaining foothold in Japan.
“The multi-media lens by which Japan views IP is also something for us to learn from and given our capabilities across film and games at Blazing Griffin, we're uniquely positioned to take advantage of the opportunities raised by that approach."*
Ruth Oliver, Head of Client Accounts at CodeBase, delivery partner of Techscaler, said:
“The companies selected to join the first Japan cohort represent some of Scotland’s most exciting and promising companies from the gaming sector, and while some are further down the commercial path than others, what they all have in common is a global mindset.
“With the opportunity to make valuable industry connections and gain insights and learnings, the programme offers the companies a golden chance to win customers and take their business to the next level in one of the world's most dynamic and important markets.”*
*The Scottish Government, “Championing gaming start-ups”, April 2025
Looking Ahead
Techscaler is committed to driving Scotland’s gaming sector forward, fostering international partnerships, and supporting founders in reaching new heights. By strengthening ties with Japan’s gaming ecosystem, we are positioning Scotland as a key player in the global industry.
We can’t wait to see the impact of Techscaler Japan on these talented startups and the wider Scotland's gaming community. Stay tuned for updates from the trip, founder insights, and key takeaways from this transformative programme.
To be considered for future cohorts of our international programmes, become a Techscaler member today and keep an eye on our social media channels for announcements.
