Hey developers, creators, and future Skillz partners !

You may have heard about our $75 million Skillz Developer Accelerator, but we wanted to go a little deeper into why we launched this program. This post isn’t just about what we’re offering to mobile game developers. It’s about what we believe in and why we’re investing in the future of competitive mobile gaming.

Why We Built the Developer Accelerator

Over the past decade, we’ve seen some amazing games come to life on the Skillz platform, titles that have crossed 10 million installs and helped define the future of skill-based gaming. But we’ve also seen too many great ideas stall – not because of lack of potential, but because creators didn’t have access to the resources, funding, or support needed to scale competitive games the way Skillz can..

Our mission has always been simple: empower developers to focus on what they do best, building great games.

The Skillz Developer Accelerator is our way of helping creators launch with the tools, funding, and strategic support they need to succeed. It’s not just about making more games. It’s about finding the next breakout hit.

As Andrew Paradise, CEO & Founder, Skillz, put it at GDC 2025:

“We believe the first billion-dollar skill-based title is still ahead of us and we’re ready to help build it.”

What We Believe

This accelerator isn’t just a program. It’s a company-wide initiative and commitment to innovation 

We believe that the next wave of breakout mobile games won’t be built around ads or chance mechanics. They’ll be built on skill, fairness, and repeatable competition and they’ll come from developers who are ready to do things differently.

The future of mobile gaming is competitive. It’s creator-led. And it’s built for players who come back not because they have to, but because they want to get better.

Why This Matters

At Skillz, we believe that competition brings out the best in everyone. Great games aren’t just entertainment, they’re spaces where players can challenge themselves, improve, and achieve something real.

The Skillz Developer Accelerator isn’t just about launching more games. It’s about helping creators build competitive experiences that inspire growth, mastery, and long-term engagement. Whether it’s mastering a mobile FPS, outsmarting opponents in a real-time strategy game, or climbing the leaderboard in a hyper-casual tournament, the goal is the same: to create fair, skill-based games that people love coming back to.

As Andrew Paradise, CEO & Founder, Skillz  shared on the Deconstructor of Fun podcast:

“Skill-based games can build sustainable franchises, not just hits that disappear in six months. We’re building for longevity, for real competition, and for communities that stick around.”

At Skillz, we’re here to help developers not just build, but build with purpose — and grow something that brings lasting value to players, creators, and the future of gaming

What You Get in the Program

We’re not just financially supporting game developers and calling it a day. Here’s some of the expert support you would receive:

• Development and marketing support backed by real capital.
• Access to the Skillz SDK, backend servers, and live ops tools.
• Player analytics and insights to help fine-tune game balance and engagement.
• Strategic feedback from a team that’s been building in this space for 10+ years.

Ready to Apply?

If you’re already building something bold, we’re here to help take it further. Bring us your vision, and we’ll help you turn it into a competitive mobile experience that players will keep coming back to.

Apply now!