A practical way forward.
Every programme is delivered as training, a design bootcamp or hands-on consultancy, and can be run for a whole team, shaped around where you are. We also deliver university lectures and courses for industry accelerators and incubators.
Start strong
Shape your culture, your company and your ways of working from day one.
Who it’s for
New studios and teams finding their feet.
What you’ll cover
- Define the values that guide your decisions
- Agree how your team works together
- Put the early company foundations in place
What you’ll leave with
A shared set of values, practical working agreements and a clear company set-up plan.
The friends you’ll meet
Talk to us about thisPitch and prove
Get pitch-ready with a clear story and numbers you can stand behind.
Who it’s for
Studios preparing for publishers or investors.
What you’ll cover
- Design an evidence-based game pitch
- Build a sales and ROI forecast for each game
- Work through your budget, price point and profit margin
What you’ll leave with
An evidence-led pitch, a game forecast and a clearer view of the numbers.
The friends you’ll meet
Talk to us about thisStep back from your game
Take an honest look at your market, your audience and where your game really stands.
Who it’s for
Teams with a game in progress who need a fresh perspective.
What you’ll cover
- Understand your market and specific audience
- Review evidence of traction and audience interest
- Stress-test your ROI, budget and profit margin
- Look at the team needed to deliver the game
What you’ll leave with
A structured game review, an evidence map and a prioritised next-step plan.
The friends you’ll meet
Talk to us about thisTeam and skills
Understand the skills you have, the gaps to fill and how your team works best.
Who it’s for
Growing companies and teams making their next move.
What you’ll cover
- Map the skills your team already has
- Identify the skills your game and company need
- Understand your culture and ways of working
What you’ll leave with
A practical skills audit, a gap-closing plan and shared team working agreements.
The friends you’ll meet
Talk to us about thisPeople skills. Real-world foundations.
We deliver lectures for universities and training for industry accelerators and incubators, alongside our work with studios. Our courses connect the skills of making games with the skills of working with people.
Session content, format and duration are agreed with you.
Studio dynamics
Practical training for the people side of making games. Help new leaders find their feet and teams work well together.
Who it’s for
Studio teams, new managers and industry accelerator and incubator cohorts.
What you’ll cover
- Leadership for new managers
- Emotional intelligence and communication
- Resilience and sustainable ways of working
- Team dynamics and psychological safety
- Commercial survival for studios
Talent pipelines
Lectures and practical training that connect creative skills with working life. Build confidence for joining a team or starting a company.
Who it’s for
University students, graduates and early-stage founders in accelerators and incubators.
What you’ll cover
- Life skills for working in creative industries
- Employability and working with others
- Business set-up and early company foundations
Good questions.
Who runs the sessions?
Sessions are led by members of the Polycara collective with experience relevant to your team.
Can you work with a team remotely?
Yes. We can deliver remotely, in person, or a mix of both — agreed with your team.
Do we need a game in development?
No. Start strong is designed for early company foundations, and Team and skills can focus on your people before a project begins.
How long does a programme take?
It depends on the work and your team — we agree the duration with you before we start.
Book a training session.
Online or in person. Pick the courses you want — or just tell us what you need — and choose dates that suit you.