Xsolla and Scaffold Institute launch accelerator to help indie studios build, polish, and pitch their games

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Xsolla and Scaffold Institute launch accelerator to help indie studios build, polish, and pitch their games

October 23, 2025•3 min

Bringing a game to life takes more than great ideas; it takes structure, feedback, and access to the right industry connections. That’s why Xsolla has partnered with Canada’s Scaffold Institute to launch the Xsolla x Scaffold Game Accelerator Program, a new initiative built to help indie developers move from early concept to investor-ready projects. This 12-week program is designed for small- and mid-sized studios ready to level up their games and present them confidently to publishers and investors. It combines Scaffold’s proven venture studio framework with Xsolla’s game commerce expertise to deliver a practical path from idea to impact.

Building games with business in mind

The program centers around two clear, practical outcomes:

A 5 - 15 minute playable demo
A long-form pitch deck designed for publishers and investors

To help studios get there, participants will go through structured learning modules created by Xsolla. Topics include:

Pitching to Publishers
Game Marketing
Publisher Deals
Demo Milestones

These courses are designed to support both the creative and business sides of game development so teams can polish their product and position it for success.

Connecting studios to opportunity

Throughout the program, studios will also receive insights from industry veterans. Pre-recorded sessions cover topics like funding, live ops, and production. While not every expert works directly with each team, select mentors will be assigned based on a studio’s needs and goals. At the end of the accelerator, participants will present their games during a remote showcase hosted by Xsolla, where a curated group of publishers and investors will see their work. “Independent creators are the lifeblood of our industry, and this collaboration provides them with clear pathways to refine, showcase, and secure opportunities for their games,” said Justin Berenbaum, SVP, Global Industry Relations & Funding, Xsolla. “Working with Scaffold allows us to deliver practical tools and connections that help turn creative visions into commercial success.”

A boost for Canadian studios - and beyond

Although based in Canada, the Scaffold Institute’s mission is globally relevant: to help creative teams take the crucial step of raising capital. “Our venture studio program was designed to help developers take the most important step in their journey: raising capital,” said Matt Toner, Executive Director at the Scaffold Institute. “By joining forces with Xsolla, we’re giving Canadian studios an almost unfair advantage: both the market perspective and the industry access they need to move from idea to impact.” The Xsolla x Scaffold Game Accelerator Program launched its first cohort in September 2025, with additional cohorts scheduled in early and mid-2026. For more information, please visit: https://xsolla.pro/scaffold