Gaming Firm Charts Rise With Helping Hand From Export Programme

A fast-growing independent gaming company has bolstered its presence on the global stage thanks to a popular export programme.

Middlesbrough-based Observer Interactive has made its mark with global companies and secured deals after accessing support from the Tees Valley Export Fund.

The burgeoning firm has taken on two rounds of support from the Tees Valley Export Fund – and also reaped the benefits of the Tees Valley Labs Forge programme to help growing firms take their next step forward.

Founded in 2023, Observer Interactive has grown from two staff to 20 in three years – securing major deals, including with the band Gorillaz.

Now the Boho One-based company is setting its sights on sustainable growth as it continues to punch above its weight and collaborate on major projects.

The firm went stateside to the DICE Summit, Las Vegas, and the recent Games Developer Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, to forge business links with major players.

And its attendance was enabled through the Tees Valley Export Programme – funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

Matty McGrory, Design Director and COO of Observer Interactive, explained how the company pitched to Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo while in the US – and attending both conferences had allowed the team to develop relationships with major players in the industry.

“Since then, we’ve signed quite a lucrative contract which has meant that we’ve been able to bring on new staff,” added Matthew.

“The export fund has been unreal for us – it’s been an absolute game changer.

“When you’re a smaller or medium-sized business, especially now and with the way the current games industry is, you’re very concerned about spending money.

“But unfortunately, you have to spend money to make money.

“The export fund just made this a lot more accessible for us.”

The Export programme offers financial support to businesses that are either starting out on their export journey or looking to grow or diversify their current export activities.

Grants between £3,000 and £10,000 are available for eligible firms, with a 25% match funding requirement.

Its aim is to boost the number of our region’s firms involved in exporting and increase both the range and value of exports from companies already trading internationally.

This can cover attending overseas trade fairs to commissioning market research, adapting websites for new markets, or securing passes and licences to trade abroad.

Observer Interactive attended GDC with other Teesside gaming firms with the support of Game Republic.

“And that again was just an unbelievable opportunity,” explained Matty.

“It gave us a centre of operations in San Francisco.

“And it meant we had a lot of pre-made meetings with Xbox and Valve and companies like that.”

The support the export programme offers comes as efforts to power up the Tees Valley Investment Zone gather pace.

Backed with £80million, the zone aims to accelerate economic development in high-potential industries in our region – with a clear focus on our digital and creative businesses.

The Observer team has worked on video games for the Damon Albarn/Jamie Hewlett-led band Gorillaz to coincide with their recent album launch.

It’s also creating its first original game, Rover’s Tale.

Kenan Wilsher, CEO at Observer Interactive, said: “Teesside is so hugely important now in the global gaming scene.

The companies we have in the area are creating multi-billion dollar games and working on huge projects.

“That money is starting to come into Teesside and it’s really making all the difference to the area.”

“You’re starting to see people both nationally and internationally, moving to Teesside who are experts in the field.”

Meanwhile, the firm also accessed support through the Tees Valley Labs programme and its Forge Accelerator.

Tees Valley Labs offered businesses access to focused support to develop this year – with the Forge programme offering a 12-week accelerator to help companies primed to scale up and attract significant investment.

Matty explained how the programme allowed the company to grow its HR functions and bring in an Operations Manager.

He added: “It helped us think about how we can make Observer Interactive a great studio – and how we can make it an appealing studio for people to want to come work for.

“That’s the goal for us all. Tees Valley’s making some of the best video games in the world, and we just want to keep doing that.

“People should be moving here to make video games.”

Tees Valley Labs is run by Middlesbrough innovation consultancy Alt Labs on behalf of the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority and funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

When it came to the future, Matty said the team wanted Observer to grow without losing their edge.

“I think we pride ourselves on punching above our weight,” he added.

“We’re a small team, but when you play our games, or look at them, they look like they were made by a much bigger team.

“Over the next year or so, we’re probably going to continue to grow as a studio for the right projects at the right time and make sure we bring in the right staff.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Observer Interactive is a brilliant example of the world-class digital talent we have here in Teesside, and it’s great to see the firm securing international opportunities, creating jobs and growing from right here in Middlesbrough.

“We’re backing our digital and creative sectors through major investment and support like this so even more businesses can follow in their footsteps and succeed.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke, TVCA Cabinet Member for Inward Investment, Finance and Housing, added: “Observer Interactive’s growth shows the strength of our digital sector and the impact the right support can have at the right time.

“From Boho to the wider Investment Zone, we’re building an ecosystem where innovative businesses can start, grow and stay by creating high-quality jobs and driving forward our local economy.

“It’s fantastic to see a Middlesbrough-based company making waves around the world with huge firms while continuing to invest in people and opportunities here at home.”

To find out more about the Export Fund, go to: Tees Valley Export Fund – Business