Earlier in September, UK trade association TIGA revealed it was to aid UK studios looking to attend Game Connection Europe in Paris by offering them grants.

In a bid to help more British-based outfits attend the Paris extravaganza - the networking opportunities on offer a particular highlight - the association announced it was to offer £1,000 grants to eligible studios.

We caught up with TIGA's business development consultant for just who can apply for said grants, and what exactly the money can be used to cover.

Pocket Gamer: Exactly who is eligible for these grants? Are non-TIGA-members able to apply, for instance?

Vanessa Joyce: The Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) grants are available to UK based small and medium enterprises who wish to use exhibiting at overseas exhibitions as an avenue to promoting their products or services.

Both TIGA members and non-members can apply.

On what basis will you select which applicants receive grants?

TIGA recruit potential recipients of grant based on their readiness to export, need for grant support and the budget available for the event.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) then confirms business eligibility and if they are successful TIGA informs the business which can then book exhibiting space with Game Connection.

Budget limitations mean that grants are limited so all applications are treated on a first come first served basis.

What can you tell us about the application process?

TIGA and UKTI work to make the application process as efficient as possible.

TIGA aims to strengthen the UK games industry and so we want to help as many developers and digital publishers as possible.

How do you hope that the recipients of TIGA funding will benefit from a trip to Game Connection?

The funding is provided by UKTI and is delivered by TIGA as an Accredited Trade Organisation (ATO).

TIGA believes that all of the UK companies who attend Game Connection can benefit from the speed dating style meetings which connect them with hundreds of International businesses.

Game Connection has a unique online system which allows companies to set up all of their meetings prior to the show. Using this process is a highly effective way for companies to target relevant organisations and increase the probability of successful business negotiations.

TIGA has had fantastic feedback from UK games businesses who have attended the show in previous years, which is why we are keen to work with Game Connection.

Will the grants cover travel and accommodation costs, or can they only be used to pay for tickets?

The grants are only offered to assist with exhibiting space at the show. They are not to be used for travel or accommodation.

However, TIGA believes that it makes sense to reform the Tradeshow Access Programme to enable developers and digital publishers to use the grant for travel and accommodation costs. This is a long standing TIGA policy.

We believe that the Government could help more small businesses and start-up studios to export if the TAP was reformed in this way.

Is this an initiative that you hope to repeat by funding companies to attend future events?

Absolutely. TIGA has been working with UKTI for a number of years offering TAP Funding for Games Businesses.

We have taken groups to industry trade shows such as Game Connection, Gamescom and GDC for four years and we plan to continue to support developers and digital publishers to forge commercial relationships and to export effectively.
Thanks to Vanessa for her time.Game Connection Europe will take place in Paris between 28-30 November. More details can be found on the event's website.