A free growth program for early-stage and growing game dev teams
The journey of 6 selected teams in
GameLAB 2026
HAS STARTED
This is the path to your own game studio
Program funding
Intake / year
Expert mentors
👾 What is this about?
3-phase program for early-stage game dev teams
1. GameLAB: establish a team and publish a game
2. Incubator: Create a company (HQ in Kajaani)
3. Accelerator: Aiming for growth and funding
👾 For who?
- Game Development students
- Workers and freelancers
- Anyone with passion in games
- Alone or with a team – a team can be formed in the GameLAB.
👾 What does it require?
- Commitment to attend mentoring 4h /a week
- will and time to work on your own game 6h / week
- Commitment to your team
- Growth mindset
Got some questions? Check first FAQ
What is Kajaani Game Catalyst?
Kajaani Game Catalyst is a mentoring program to turn ambition into
a thriving game studio.
The new batch started in January 2026 in Kajaani GameLAB.
We know that the journey is not short or straight. That’s why the mentoring program supports the whole way with three different phases: Kajaani GameLAB, Kajaani Game Incubator, and Kajaani Game Accelerator.
Mentors advise the teams on how to avoid the pitfalls in the game industry and process of creating a game, use the best practices in production, and create winning team dynamics.
The application round for GameLAB is held in November each year. Intake for the incubator and accelerator is step-by-step from GameLAB.
If you have a ready team, company ID, and experience, you can get into the incubator or accelerator via a shortcut. The requirement is that the company’s HQ is in Kainuu. For checking this card, get in contact with our team and apply!
The three phases in Kajaani Game Catalyst
The whole mentoring program lasts for 3,5 years and it aims to help new game startups bloom.
All the teams start with GameLAB – the 1st phase of the program.
Kajaani GameLAB, Incubator, and Accelerator are part of the Kainuu GEMS project, which is co-funded by the EU.
1. Kajaani GameLAB
From Game Students to Skilled Founder Teams
Build a game, ship it and establish a dream team. That’s what GameLAB is about.
This pre-company training program focuses on inspiring entrepreneurship, team formation, and developing the necessary skills to start a company. It focuses on shifting the mindset and preparing the teams and ideas for the game industry.
No earlier experience is needed in entrepreneurship, but game industry education or experience is needed. In addition to that, you need the passion, the will to work with the team, and the time to do so.
✓ Jan – April – Pre-production of the game
✓ May – September – Creating workflows and production
✓ October – Dec – Polishing & publishing!
By the end of the year, you’ve
- Published a game (add to your portfolio)
- Created a dream team with experience to build and ship a game
- Taken a huge and concrete step closer to your own game studio
✓ 5 teams get in
✓ APPLY before 23.11.2025!
2. Kajaani Game Incubator
From a Team to an Official Company
The best teams will be guided to establish a business – and grow it. The Incubator leads to newborn companies – officially. It means 6 months to finalize the business plan, and bureaucracy, and step into entrepreneurship with practical business skills.
✓ Jan – June
✓ 3-5 teams
3. Kajaani Game Accelerator
Skill Accelerator for Global Success
After forming the company, the selected companies take on the 2-year accelerator. The program aims to deepen the business and technical skills of new gaming entrepreneurs.
Accelerator aims to help companies secure funding and gain international success. The program takes attendees to the global arenas of the game industry.
✓ 2 years
✓ 3-2 teams
Funding in Finland
Finland is the best place* to establish a game company
*The combination of crucial elements for founding a game company is unmatched.
- The high level of know-how with decades of development,
- World-class hubs (Kajaani as one of them)
- Ever-growing industry create an environment for creativity and growth.
- In addition, the funding possibilities are unmatched.
Business Finland offers remarkable funding opportunities without ownership. Read more about what Business Finland offers for new game companies.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
The next application period for the Kajaani GameLAB is planned for November 2025.
We prioritize teams with skills and an idea or prototype, then individuals who want to work in a team, and lastly the solo developers.
The most important qualities are:
1. Passion for games
2. skills needed in game development
Selected teams will be announced by the GameCity Kajaani team by the 15th of December.
All applicants will be contacted.
If you were not selected this year, there will be a new round next year.
In the meantime, we encourage you to take part in summer school, where you can enhance similar skills. (More info coming in early 2025).
On default, no.
If you’re a KAMK student, you may be able to do a project course from GameLAB.
The sufficient amount of expertise to make a game. The most common size is 4-5.
The size can vary from 3 up to 7 members. You can optimize the size of the team during the program.
You can apply alone, but we prioritize teams and encourage everyone to find a team, at least one teammate. Our program is designed for teams.
The learning curve is deeper with fellows, and the battles are easier to face with teammates.
You will have one hour of high-quality mentoring in a week. In addition to that, time working on your project. Altogether, at least 4 hours a week should be dedicated in order to proceed and get results.
No, the 1.25M is the funding for Kainuu GEMS project. Mentoring is free for you.
Project Manager
Joonas Pylvinen
joonas.pylvinen(at)kamk.fi
or
Executive Assistant
Joonas Manninen
joonas.manninen(at)kamk.fi