GAMA Horizons Fellowship Program

It was created by GAMA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to help address the needs of communities that have been historically underrepresented in the tabletop industry.

Now in its fourth year, the Horizons Fellowship connects participants with industry professionals who will serve as mentors and peer coaches, and will provide access to grants and resources essential to developing and sustaining successful business relationships. The new cohort of Fellows will start the program in September. This year’s program will include travel and accommodations for GAMA Expo in Louisville, KY from February 23-27, 2025, and the Origins Game Fair June 18-22, 2025.

What you will get?

• All selected fellowship participants will receive:
  • 1-year complimentary membership in GAMA valued at $300
  • A $1,000 grant for business or operational expenses.
  • Travel Stipends and Lodging for GAMA Expo 2025 and Origins Game Fair 2025
  • Booth opportunities at GAMA Expo 2025 and at Origins Game Fair 2025
  • Complimentary retailer box following GAMA Expo 2025 for retailer participants.
  • Virtual classes and panels featuring industry experts and leaders

Why Apply?

• You’ll meet other inspiring, committed Fellows at a similar point in their gaming careers.
• You’ll be part of a community of Fellows from multiple years, all supporting each other and sharing their experiences.
• Networking! The connections you make through GAMA, especially at the Expo and through mentors; are likely to impact your business in positive ways for years to come.
• This is a fantastic chance to receive regular mentorship and tailored advice in a structured way, every month.

How will the mentorship and peer coaching work?

• Each Fellow will be matched with both a mentor and a peer coach to assist in their business development. Mentors are industry veterans with 5+ years of experience as a publisher or retailer while peer coaches are newer business professionals with 2-5 years of experience. By having access to professionals with varying levels of expertise, Fellows will learn from the proven success of industry leaders while building new skills and sharing ideas with peers and colleagues.
• Mentors and peer coaches will help Fellows achieve their professional goals by providing introductions to other experts and resources made available through GAMA. Fellows will meet with their mentors and coaches virtually or in-person for a minimum of once a month throughout the duration of the program.
• The opinions and thoughts expressed by mentors and coaches are solely of those individuals, and does not purport to reflect the opinions, views or policies of GAMA or its members.

Who is the Fellowship For?

• Businesses that are at least 51% owned and/or operated by members of historically underrepresented communities based on (but not limited to) race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and ability are eligible to apply. Applicants must apply to one of four categories:
  • Publishers
    • Prospective publisher in the process of creating a tabletop game or starting a tabletop game publishing business.
    • Newly established publisher already producing tabletop games.
  • Retailers
    • Prospective retailer in the process of opening a tabletop game retail business.
    • Newly established retailer currently engaged in the sale of tabletop games to end consumers.

Eligibility Criteria

• They welcome as broad a range of publishers and retailers into the tabletop community as possible, but there are some key components that applicants should possess.
  • This program is only for businesses that are at least 51% owned and/or operated by members of historically underrepresented communities
  • Ideal publisher participants will have an existing title in-market or a late-stage prototype and a strong potential for growth.
  • Ideal retailer participants will have an existing brick & mortar retail store established within the past 3 years or an online retail business with a strong desire to open a brick & mortar retail store.
  • For legal reasons, all participants must be at least 18-years-old, and residents of the US or Canada.

For more information, visit GAMA.