Swansea’s Zygo Media expands global reach while investing in local talent

The company, based on Swansea’s High Street, has built its reputation by helping online creators reach huge audiences across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X. Its work with gaming personalities such as TimTheTatman, StoneMountain64, and DrLupo has contributed to more than 9 billion views across social media.

Zygo is now applying its content expertise to the business world, producing media for global venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and its Speedrun programme, which focuses on startup culture and innovation. The partnership also includes support for other companies in the investor’s portfolio.

“This gives us the chance to do world-class work from Swansea,” said Stephen Ellis, CEO of Zygo Media. “We’re building a team that can help creators and brands grow their audiences—and we’re doing it with talent from across Wales and the UK.”

Ministerial visit highlights Swansea’s creative potential

Jack Sargeant MS, Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, and Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, visited Zygo’s studio this week to hear more about its expansion and its work with local colleges and universities.

Zygo was part of the Creative Wales delegation to the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco earlier this year, where Welsh firms showcased their work to international investors and industry leaders.

“Gaming is a fast-growing sector with real potential for Wales,” said Sargeant. “Companies like Zygo show how creative and digital skills developed here can have global impact.”

Cllr Stewart added:

“Zygo Media’s success shows what’s possible when local talent is supported to work at a high level. It’s a great example of Swansea’s creative industries making their mark.”

Building skills and jobs in Swansea

Zygo works with Gower College Swansea and other institutions to support training and recruitment, including Level 4 apprenticeships and creative placements. The company says it’s committed to giving young creatives the chance to work on global campaigns without leaving the region.

Its team includes staff from across Wales and the UK, with roles spanning video editing, content strategy, and audience development.

Zygo’s growth comes as Swansea Council and Creative Wales continue to promote the city as a hub for creative tech, with support for startups, digital skills, and investment in local infrastructure.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

New £30,000 grants launched to support creative careers in Swansea
Published July 2025: Amazon’s Regional Creatives Fund opens for applications, supporting charities helping people into music, film, fashion and more.

Swansea esports educators win national teaching award
Published June 2024: Gower College Swansea recognised for pioneering esports curriculum and inspiring the next generation of digital talent.

Where are they now? Zelda, Sonic, Pikachu and more in 2024
Published April 2024: A nostalgic look at gaming’s most iconic characters and how they’ve evolved in today’s digital landscape.

Swansea-based Character.com to roll out new stores thanks to seven-figure funding package
Published May 2024: Children’s clothing brand expands retail footprint following major investment, boosting jobs and creative commerce in the city.

#Business #CllrRobStewart #CreativeWales #Gam #GameDevelopers #gaming #GowerCollegeSwansea #HighStreet #JackSargeantMS #onlineCreators #Swansea #Technology #ZygoMedia

Welsh Game Developers Secure £850,000 in New Government Scale-Up Funding – Insights for Scotland

Six independent game development studios in Wales have been awarded a significant £850,000 through the new Games Scale Up Fund for Wales. This initiative, a collaboration between Creative Wales and the UK Games Fund, aims to help these companies transition their game projects from pilot stages to more substantial and self-sustaining commercial models – a pioneering example of regional government support for the games industry.

The studios set to benefit from this investment are: Cloth Cat, COPA Gaming, Goldborough Studios, Rocket Science, Sugar Creative, and Wales Interactive. The funding is designed to allow these developers to significantly grow the scope, reach, and impact of their current projects, fostering growth within the Welsh games ecosystem.

This move has been met with enthusiasm in Wales. Osian Williams, director of COPA Gaming, described the support as a “true game changer,” stating, “It gives our team the confidence and resources to move forward, grow sustainably and to proudly create uniquely Welsh games for a global audience.”

The Senedd’s Minister for Culture, Jack Sargeant, also commented on the strategic importance of The Games Scale Up Fund For Wales:

Wales has an incredibly talented and ambitious video games industry that’s making its mark on the global stage. This investment is about giving our homegrown studios the financial backing to level up their operations and reach new audiences worldwide.”

After meeting Welsh developers at GDC in San Francisco, he added:

The feedback they received from international publishers confirms what we already know – Wales is becoming a significant player in the global gaming landscape.

For the Scottish games industry, this development in Wales offers valuable points of comparison and timely food for thought. It aligns closely with ongoing strategic efforts within Scotland, including the development of the dedicated Games Action Plan by the Scottish Games Network, where securing specific, targeted funding for the sector is a key recommendation.

Furthermore, with the forthcoming review of Creative Scotland set to examine how the organisation engages with funding across different creative sectors, initiatives like The Games Scale Up Fund for Wales present a relevant example of tailored sectoral support.

The focus of this Welsh fund on helping studios achieve self-sustainability and global reach through targeted financial backing is a model that will no doubt be observed with interest by industry stakeholders across the UK, as Scotland continues to explore and enhance its own support mechanisms for its rapidly-evolving games ecosystem.

#CreativeWales #funding #games #government #ukGamesFund

Swansea music venue among Creative Wales music revenue fund recipients

Creative Wales has today announced the latest recipients of its Music Revenue Fund, with 11 music businesses across Wales set to benefit from a total investment of £400,000. The funding is part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to supporting the growth of the music industry in Wales, with support given to businesses based across all regions of Wales.

Now in its second round, The Music Revenue Fund is a scheme to help music businesses in Wales improve their commercial outlook and sustainability.

As part of Creative Wales’ wider programme of support for the music industry, the fund’s focus is to help with campaigns for new releases and promote live music; sync and catalogue music, and Welsh-language music – its ultimate aim is to contribute to the growth and development of Wales’ diverse music industry.

With grants of up to £40,000 available per applicant, funding has been awarded to a range of businesses and innovative projects, including: The Bunkhouse in Swansea – a multi-award winning bar, live music, and community venue in the heart of the city.

The venue plans to use the funding to enable 16-25-year-olds to learn various behind-the-scenes skills like production and lighting.

Other recipients include Clwb Ifor Bach, an iconic live music venue in the capital, which has been funded to boost the awareness of the Sŵn festival, by expanding outside of South Wales to stage shows at venues across the rest of Wales and the UK.

Jordan McGuire, Director at The Bunkhouse, Swansea says of the MRF Fund:

“MRF funding has been a game-changer for us at The Bunkhouse, helping bring our Future Music, Bae Abertawe project to life.

“This exciting initiative empowers young people aged 16-25 across Swansea Bay, South West Wales, with hands-on training in live music essentials like promotion, live tech, and gig photography.

“Thanks to Creative Wales’ support, we’re giving the next generation real-world experience and industry mentorship, building an inclusive, vibrant music community where Welsh and non-Welsh speakers alike can thrive.

“Together, we’re creating opportunities for young talent to shape the future of music in South West Wales.”

Owen Gurry, a composer and producer in West Wales says of the Fund:

“The Music Revenue Fund is enabling me to record three collections of production music tracks with live musicians— all written and recorded in Wales. These collections, featuring harp, string quartet, and wind ensemble, celebrate the richness of Welsh talent.

“This project allows me to bring my skills back home, growing a network of talented musicians working in music for media.

“Every penny of the grant is dedicated to hiring top Welsh musicians and studios, alongside a videographer to showcase what Wales can achieve. It’s all thanks to the support of the Music Revenue Fund.”

Jack Sargeant, Minister for the Creative Industries, said:

“The Music Revenue Fund is all about fueling the growth and development of Wales’ diverse and dynamic music industry. The funding by Welsh Government will empower talent across the country to build their music careers right here in Wales.

“We’re excited to celebrate and strengthen our thriving music sector, ensuring Wales remains a place where talented artists can create, develop and showcase their best work.”

To find out more about Creative Wales funding, visit the Creative Wales website.

#CreativeWales #MusicRevenueFund #TheBunkhouse

New Creative Wales Games Fund Launched To Foster Innovation And Take Welsh Projects To The Next Level

Creative Wales has announced the launch of a new fund to support the continued growth and development of the nation’s games industry.

Games Scale Up Fund for Wales is aimed at games companies based in Wales that are looking for their next step up – designed to assist in scaling operations, fostering innovation, and expanding their reach, both within the UK and internationally.

Specifically set up to help companies propel themselves beyond the development stage, the fund will help take games projects from a pilot to a more substantial and self-sustaining model; by allowing for growth in scope, reach and impact, helping to achieve long-term success and sustainability, while increasing the overall value and influence of the project.

With support available between £50,000 and £150,000 for eligible companies, the new fund marks a significant step in enhancing Wales’ reputation as a key player in game innovation.

The overall aim of the Scale Up Fund is to support companies who need a springboard for their games projects, enabling them to develop further so they are eligible to apply for Production Funding, a Welsh Government scheme to help companies reach global audiences with high-quality content. 

The launch of the Games Scale Up Fund for Wales follows recent stats revealing that the digital sector achieved a turnover of £303m* in 2023, marking a 16.1% year-on-year increase. While some caution is needed in comparing year-on-year figures, this underscores the potential of the games sector in Wales.

Penarth-based indie studio Wales Interactive is a major success story for Wales; having received production funding from Creative Wales, which enabled the company to create Maid of Sker, and then go on to create its sequel Sker Ritual – a gothic horror based on Welsh folklore which has achieved major global success in the games charts, and has been shortlisted at the TIGA Awards 2024 taking place this month. 

Speaking of his experience, Dr David Banner MBE, CEO & Co-Founder of Wales Interactive, said:

The support from Welsh Government and Creative Wales has been crucial to our success, and I strongly encourage other Welsh companies with ambitious goals to seize the current funding opportunities to fuel their own growth and future achievements.

Having funding to support the most fundamental stage of development can ensure that more Welsh projects and stories reach their full potential and have the best chance to steal that global spotlight.

Seeing our latest game, Sker Ritual, achieve global success this year highlights alone how a small Welsh indie games studio can rise to compete with the giants of the industry.

Speaking of the Games Scale Up Fund for Wales, Joedi Langley, Interim Head of Creative Wales, said:

There are huge opportunities for the Welsh games sector, and this new funding initiative will be a real boost to companies who are ready to take ideas forward.

By providing targeted financial support, expertise, and encouraging collaboration, we aim to help Welsh creatives scale their operations and create world-class content for global audiences.”

Applications for the fund are now open. Creative Wales encourages eligible businesses to apply and take advantage of this exciting opportunity to scale their operations and further enhance Wales’ growing presence within the global games market.

To find more (or for our Welsh readers – to apply for) the Scale-Up Fund for Wales, visit the Creative Wales website.

Share the AWESOME

• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)

#CreativeWales #funding #games