Supercell AI Innovation Lab returns in Spring 2026 with hubs in San Francisco, Helsinki, and Tokyo, offering free compute, workspace, housing support, and mentorship, plus a Lapland kickoff and a final showcase at the company’s Finland HQ.
The nine-week program is designed for founders and builders working on AI x Games concepts. CEO and Co-Founder Ilkka Paananen framed the initiative around creative acceleration, writing: “AI is giving creative developers superpowers.”
AI Innovation Lab Lead Jessica Jung echoed that “platform shift” framing, calling AI “a generational opportunity to reinvent games & create new categories of interactive entertainment.”
Spring 2026 timeline and three-city format
The Spring 2026 batch is scheduled to run from March 23 to May 23, 2026, with applications closing February 22, 2026. Supercell lists the cohort kickoff as a one-week gathering at Arctic Buildcamp in Finnish Lapland, followed by the main program in the selected hub, culminating in a final showcase.
What participants get and what Supercell expects
Supercell positions the lab as a founder-and-builder program for individuals or small teams (up to three people) pursuing “breakthrough” AI entertainment and gaming products. The package includes:
- Office space, tools, compute and housing support
- Access to game mentors and a cohort-style community
- A demo opportunity at Supercell HQ in Finland
Supercell also notes that standout participants may be considered for continued partnership routes after the program, including potential paths into a new games incubator, hiring discussions, or funding conversations—while emphasizing participation is free and does not guarantee investment.
Eligibility by hub and in-person requirement
The company requires physical presence for the full program duration in the chosen location. It also publishes hub-specific eligibility guidance:
- San Francisco: open to builders with valid US work authorization
- Helsinki: open to EU or UK residents
- Tokyo: open to Japanese tax residents with the legal right to work as a contractor
Check out the official website here.
