In the “Press Start” education and networking programme, the 132 founders are accompanied by coaches who support them in their start in the games sector. Who are these coaches and how do they themselves perceive the programme? In this article, we introduce you to some of them.

Why become a ‘Press Start’ coach?

For some coaches in the Press Start programme, participation is a personal matter, such as for Marcel Zurawka. He has already successfully founded two companies.  According to him, “Press Start is an opportunity for the mentees that I always wanted when I started the company. I want to share my experiences and pitfalls that I have encountered and show them how to deal with them.”
Kai Bodensiek, who has already provided legal advice to a wide range of games creators, supports the scholarship holders with legal expertise: “I want to share those 20 years of experience with the participants to help them on their way to creating great games and businesses.”
Christian Fonnesbech advises game creators on IP and branding and already impressed the scholarship holders and the Press Start team at the kick-off event with his entertainingly presented knowledge. For him, the 132 founders are representative of what is possible in Germany as a games location: “From what I’ve seen, the next generation of German game developers have the potential to deliver a wave of groundbreaking games. Being part of their journey is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the future of gaming – both as entertainment and as an art form.”

What do the coaches hope to achieve with the workshops?

In the workshops, all aspects of setting up a business are taught and reservations about the often seemingly insurmountable hurdles that accompany the start-up process are overcome. Lawyer Marian Härtel has been advising clients on the realisation of innovative business models and complex legal challenges for over 25 years. He hopes that the scholarship holders come away from his workshops with the realisation “That law is not boring or annoying, but an important part of success.”
Dr. Tom Lilge, who co-founded gamelab Berlin at Humboldt University, also advocates learning to love the more formal aspects of founding a company: “Your enthusiasm as an artist and the business side of your company are no opposites. Your are a Gamedesigner: Let´s make the ‘serious parts’ playful as well”
Laura Kaltenmaier, who already founded two start-ups, emphasises that the founders themselves are at the heart of the companies to be founded. She hopes that the founders take away from her workshops that “they themselves are their most valuable asset. Their energy, creativity, and lived experience are not just tools—they’re the foundation of their future work. These qualities need to be nurtured, protected, and respected, both by themselves and by those around them. Every new voice adds depth and dimension to the industry. My goal is to help them understand that their perspective matters, and that they have every right to claim space and create boldly, even in the face of resistance or doubt.”
At the same time, you can’t let potential failures get you down. Timo Maier, who has already dabbled in various industries, hopes that the scholarship holders will take away exactly that from his workshops, because “failure is inevitable”

What would make ‘Press Start’ a success from the coaches’ point of view?

With 132 founders there are all kinds of different wishes and hopes for the programme, but sustainability is at the top of the list for many of them. Jens Bahr, who has already realised several projects with his game studio Off The Beaten Track, is already looking forward to the finished games and hopes that many of the teams will tackle further projects after Press Start: “For me, the program is successful if the teams can stand on their own feet after the program ends.”
Thomas Rössig, who looks back on 15 years of experience in the games industry and successful start-ups, also sees the opportunity of sustainable companies at the centre of the success of Press Start, he says: “I believe Press Start is a great opportunity to give dozens of founder teams a real shot at building not only great games, but also setting-up sustainable game studios which will enrich the German game development landscape.”
Mona Brandt, freelance developer with relevant experience in the fields of game design and user interface/experience, emphasises the motivational boost that Press Start can provide: “For me, the program is a full success if the participants leave it still motivated, optimistic, and determined to continue working on their projects—especially given the current state of the industry. If they come out of it with a clearer vision and the confidence to keep going, then it’s been absolutely worthwhile.”