official gamescom investor event
Pitch to gaming investors at gamescom.
If you are building a game studio or GameTech startup and want investor meetings at gamescom, this is the program. You apply, the jury reviews your company, and selected teams get pitch training and curated investor meetings in Cologne.
27 August 2026Cologne, during gamescom
Free for accepted startups.
- 100+
- Active investors
- 1:1
- Curated meetings
- 94
- Pitch training NPS
27Aug 26
gamescom invest circle 2025 · CologneHow it works
The path from application to investor meetings
The process is simple: apply, get reviewed, prepare your pitch, then meet investors.
1
Application & Screening
Submit your pitch deck and business data through the application portal. The team checks eligibility, fit, and whether your materials are complete enough for review.
2
Expert Jury Review
A hand-picked jury of gaming veterans and investors evaluates your innovation, team strength, and market potential. Selected companies move to the next step.
3
Professional Pitch Training
Accepted founders receive PIRATEx pitch training before gamescom. The program achieved a Net Promoter Score of 94 in 2025 and helps teams sharpen the story they bring into investor meetings.
4
Investor Matchmaking
Meet interested investors 1:1 in Cologne, with curated digital matchmaking available when travel is not practical.
Frequently asked questions
What to know before you apply.
Who can apply for the gamescom invest circle?
Game studios and GameTech startups can apply if they are preparing for investor, publisher, or strategic partner conversations and can show enough product, team, traction, and funding context for review.
Is the gamescom invest circle 2026 free to attend?
For accepted startups, participation in gamescom invest circle 2026 and access to pitch preparation are currently listed as free. Event access details are shared with selected teams.
What happens after I apply?
The team checks completeness first, then reviews fit, readiness, and investor relevance. If your company moves forward, you receive the next step by email.
Do I need to be at gamescom in person?
The program is built around on-site meetings in Cologne. When travel is not practical, curated digital matchmaking can still support relevant introductions.
How secure is my pitch deck and business data?
Your deck is private. Only our vetted jury and manually approved investors can view it, and it is never made public.
What is the "Investor Lookbook"?
The Investor Lookbook gives approved investors structured context on accepted startups, including profiles, demos, and pitch materials where available.
Apply to gamescom invest circle 2026.
Sharpen your pitch first with the Pitch Academy: the essence of hundreds of pitch trainings, written down. Eleven chapters, checklists and the founder Q&A. It is the strongest application you can prepare, and it is free.
Open the Pitch Academy first →