official gamescom investor event

Pitch to 100+ gaming investors at gamescom 2026

If you are building a game studio or GameTech startup and want investor meetings at gamescom, this is the path. You apply once, the jury screens your company, and selected teams move into pitch training and curated investor meetings in Cologne.

27 August 2026Cologne, during gamescom
100+Active Investors
1:1Curated Meetings
IncludedPitch Training
FreeIf You Are Accepted
How 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 our secure portal. Our automated pre-screening checks for basic eligibility and data completeness.

2

Expert Jury Review

A hand-picked jury of gaming veterans and investors evaluates your innovation, team strength, and market potential. Only the best are invited to the next phase.

3

Professional Pitch Training

Accepted founders receive PIRATEx pitch training before gamescom. The program 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.

If your startup is selected

What you get

The program is built to help you arrive ready, sharpen the pitch, and make better use of the investor room.

  • Pitch training before gamescomPIRATEx helps selected founders tighten story, positioning, and delivery before meetings begin.
  • Access to the eventAccepted startups can join the program at gamescom and receive the relevant event access.
  • Curated investor conversationsMeet active gaming investors through a process designed for more relevant 1:1 conversations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The essentials for founders and investors who want to understand how the program works before they apply.

The event is specifically designed for early-stage gaming studios and GameTech startups (Pre-seed, Seed, Series A) looking for equity investment or project funding. We also welcome studios with established traction looking to scale.