Teesside University backs indie games studio Dink with investment to launch new title

Teesside University’s commercial arm, TU Enterprise and Innovation Ltd, has announced a strategic investment in Dink, an award-winning indie games studio born in Middlesbrough and supported by the University’s own incubator programme.

The funding will support the development and launch of Dink’s highly anticipated unannounced new title.

Coinciding with Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 17 to 23), Dink is among the growing number of businesses to benefit from the University’s entrepreneurial support.

Founded in 2022, Dink is a Middlesbrough-based indie games studio that supports clients across the world with software and game development services.

The team specialises in co-development, collaborating with partners on exciting projects such as Soulbound and the recently released Vextorial, alongside developing original IP.

Dink previously took part in Teesside University’s PowerUp incubator, a programme that provides early opportunities for graduates and aspiring developers.

Since then, the studio has continued to grow independently, building client partnerships, expanding its technical expertise, and receiving recognition with multiple awards for both its innovation and its impact as a creative business.

Earlier this month, Teesside University was awarded University of the Year by Times Higher Education where it was praised by judges for being ‘unashamedly ambitious for its students’.

This investment marks a major milestone for Teesside University, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing graduate talent, supporting the region’s growing digital and gaming sector, and backing early-stage start-ups, especially those led by its own alumni.

It also reflects the University’s broader success in fostering enterprise. In the 2023/24 academic year, Teesside University-supported start-ups generated £118m in turnover, placing the University 7th nationally for start-up turnover.

The University’s Launchpad incubator and enterprise support services have helped foster 60 new start-ups in the past year alone. These businesses have created an estimated 645 jobs and attracted £3m in external investment, reinforcing Teesside’s role as a catalyst for regional prosperity.

Notably, 71 percent of businesses launched through Teesside Launchpad have sustained operations for three years or more, a figure that is 30 percent higher than the national average for university start-up survival rates.

TU Enterprise and Innovation Ltd, a subsidiary of Teesside University, delivers commercial services to external clients and plays a key role in advancing the University’s strategic goals around innovation and income diversification.

Luke Mills, co-founder of Dink and Teesside University graduate, said: “We’re glad to see the University’s board investing in games here in the Tees Valley. Middlesbrough has a huge up-and-coming game development scene, and it’s great to see the University playing a key role in supporting the region.

“For us, this investment allows the studio to continue growing here in Middlesbrough, and it feels exciting to be taking this new step with the University’s backing.”

Professor Stephen Cummings, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange), said: “This investment marks an important milestone for Teesside University and TU Enterprises. It reflects our commitment to driving innovation and growth across the Tees Valley.

“It’s inspiring to see our alumni leading the way in a vibrant digital cluster. Our ambition to support gaming studios and businesses across all sectors helps transform ideas into successful ventures, strengthening the local economy and enabling organisations to thrive on a global stage.”

To learn more or register your interest in the PowerUp Incubator Programme, contact enterprise@tees.ac.uk.

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