Nick Button-Brown on Studio Funding | What's Really Happening in 2026

Nick Button-Brown has helped shape some of the biggest forces in gaming. In this PocketGamer.biz episode he joins us to break down what it really takes to build a sustainable studio, raise smart money, and strengthen the UK’s position as a global games powerhouse.From leading global teams at EA to helping Improbable scale to a $600M raise, guiding Sensible Object through its sale to Niantic, and supporting founders through The Games Angels, Nick has seen every corner of the industry.He shares candid stories about the shift from operator to advisor, why angels matter more than ever, and how founders can pitch with clarity and conviction in a crowded market.You’ll learn: Why 2026 is the return of “hustler rounds” and how hybrid funding is reshaping early stage deals What investors really want to see in pitch decks (hint: professionalism beats buzzword bingo every time)How Games Angels formed during lockdown and why founders need experienced support, not just cashThe UK’s biggest scaling challenges and why Nick is pushing for a Games Growth Tax Credit to keep value in the countryWhy games are a cure for loneliness and a force for social good far beyond entertainmentThe skills gap, the business gap, and how founders can bridge both to build enduring studiosNick Button-Brown: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickbuttonbrown/PocketGamer.biz Podcast https://www.pocketgamer.biz/podcast