The 2026 cycle of the Kajaani growth program now includes 13 distinct teams advancing through stages from early concept to company formation and funding acquisition — the highest participation in the program’s history.
The initiative, coordinated by Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK), is structured into three phases: GameLAB for concept and prototype development, an incubator for business formation, and an accelerator focused on growth and commercial readiness.
Expanded Selection Reflects Talent and Industry Shift
Project Manager Joonas Pylvinen highlighted that while the program historically selects about five teams for the first phase, six teams were chosen for GameLAB this year due to both the quality of applicants and expanded resources. The overarching goal remains the creation of 12 new game companies, with two targeted for rapid scaling into international markets.
Pylvinen emphasized Kajaani’s commitment to long-term support for game entrepreneurship, noting that the industry’s competitive landscape now rewards agile teams that leverage new technologies and fresh business models. He described the local system as “a comprehensive ecosystem, not just individual experiments,” aimed at helping studios compete on global platforms and charts.
The teams selected for this cycle exemplify broader industry trends, including IP-driven development, rapid publishing strategies, and innovative applications of technology in established genres. Several participating groups already plan global operations from inception, underscoring the international outlook of the program.
Strategic Support and International Exposure
Kajaani Game Catalyst is part of the Kainuu GEMS project, co-funded by the European Union with a budget of €1.23 million over 3.5 years. The initiative draws support from both KAMK and the City of Kajaani, strengthening a regional ecosystem that has supported game development education and entrepreneurship for nearly two decades.
To accelerate commercial opportunities, advanced teams in the program will participate in key industry events such as Nordic Game in Sweden and Gamescom in Germany to secure funding, pursue publishing agreements, and broaden global networks.
Kajaani has long positioned itself as a hub for game creation and community, combining education, industry cooperation, and ecosystem development to cultivate sustainable growth within Finland’s broader games scene.
