Talent development

Talent Development is an expansion on the work done last year with the Irish Games Talent Incubator and Sparks, focusing on professional development, skills acquisition, and industry readiness for individuals building careers in games.

Talent Development consists of multiple distinct but complementary initiatives. The Irish Games Talent Incubator returns, reaching more people through remote-delivery with built in networking opportunities. Alongside new EDI initiatives developed in collaboration with specialist partner organisations. Finally, we have a Pitching Programme designed to meet the needs of all developers in the ever changing funding landscape.

More information on the pitching programme and DEI initiatives will be announced later this year. We’re currently focused on the Irish Games Talent Incubator, applications for which open in the next week.

Irish Games Talent Incubator (Ardán)

The Irish Games Talent Incubator returns for 2026, revamped to meet the needs of new entrants in the sector. The Irish Games Talent Incubator is an 8-week long programme which will offer participants workshops covering key industry skills, individual mentorship from industry peers in your specialised field, facilitated peer-learning and networking opportunities throughout the programme and a final showcase and networking opportunity in person.

The Irish Games Talent Incubator launches soon.

Irish Games Talent Incubators 2026 application forms open soon.

The Irish Games Talent Incubators are managed by Ardán with the support of Imirt, Screen Ireland and the Screen Ireland Digital Games Portfolio.