Game Pitch & Capital
Get funding-ready, find the investors who back games, and get in the room. Most of it is free.
Over 100 startups coached. Startups from 80+ countries participated. 200+ investors.
gamescom invest circle 2025 · CologneGPC is for gaming studios and GameTech startups. The Pitch Academy is free for anyone to read. The live training, the full investor directory, and a place in the room are for founders in our programs: you apply, and every application is reviewed.
11
chapters, free
Pitch Academy
Eleven chapters, from the funding decision most founders skip to the thirty seconds that decide who listens. Free to read; the rest is free once you sign in.
Open the Pitch Academy94
NPS
The free pitch training
We do not polish slides. We work on the foundation of your story.
The live version, on your own deck, from the coaches who have taken more than a thousand founders through it.
Masterclass
Structure, psychology, storytelling.
Hot seat
We rebuild your deck with you, 1:1.
Dress rehearsal
You pitch under real conditions, in front of investors.
200+
gaming investors
Investor directory
Every firm with its thesis and focus, so you stop cold-emailing generalists and find the investors who fund games. Browse the flagship firms now; the full list opens once you have applied to a program and signed in.
Wall of love
“Manuel and the whole PIRATEx crew helped us really transform our pitch from a boilerplate pitch to something really impactful. Manuel's feedback was precise, constructive, and motivating. THANK YOU!!”
“This is easily the best and most helpful and relevant experience and opportunity we've had this year.”
The Gamescom Invest Circle was one of the few startup events that truly exceeded my expectations. The trainer didn't just repeat generic advice; he listened, challenged, and tailored his input to each founder's story.
Manuel is an excellent pitch doctor. He gets you into the right headspace and reshapes how you think about pitching, even after a ton of time pitching.
The pitch training was incredibly valuable. I walked away with clearer messaging, a sharper pitch, and confidence in presenting my game.
Manuel is an excellent and experienced speaker, his expertise is evident from the very first moments. Precise, insightful, and extremely helpful.
Definitely a highlight from gamescom '25! I left with so much knowledge into pitching, the process of raising, and how to conduct yourself.
Manuel has a real gift for breaking down complex ideas into clear, actionable steps. I finally understand how investors actually think.
The PIRATEx crew made everything run so smoothly. The whole training was not just professional, but also super friendly and personal.
What really stuck with me was Manuel's way of showing how to distill a startup story into 30 seconds. I left with a pitch I'm proud of.
I've been through pitch trainings before, but this one really opened my eyes. The focus on storytelling completely changed everything.
More voices on the pitch training page.
Two events, one application each
You do not buy a ticket. You apply, a jury reviews your company, and selected teams get curated 1:1 meetings with 100+ active gaming investors, trained before they walk in.
View the official gamescom pageNo deadline, the intake is rolling. Every cohort has a handful of 1:1 coaching slots, and accepted teams pay nothing.
Read the academy tonight, sharpen your deck in the training, and apply for curated meetings with the investors who back games. Bring the game you are building.