Canada-based game accelerator and investment platform Execution Labs has secured C$6m ($5.3m) in a series A round led by media company Corus Entertainment.
The round also included return backers BDC Capital, which invests as a subsidiary of the Business Development Bank of Canada, seed venture fund Real Ventures and venture capital firm White Star Capital. All three contributed to the $1.4m seed round raised by Execution in 2012.
The capital will support the company’s emerging independent games studio, and help to expand its existing services by offering independent game developers two distinct programmes: the Pre-Production Accelerator and the Finishing Fund.
Pre-Production Accelerator is a three-month programme which will offer up to C$50,000 in funding, shared workspace and mentorship opportunities to new game studios that have not yet entered the full production phase of game development. The programme covers developers working across all game platforms and business models.
The Finishing Fund will offer funding to experienced independent game studios worldwide working on games that are nearing completion, but that require funds and support for final production, testing and marketing. There will be assistance in game design, data analysis, community building, user experience testing and other areas available.