Oulu Game Industry Pre-Incubator

Are you interested in making games? Do you perhaps dream of making games as a living someday? Come learn how it’s done in Oulu Game Industry Pre-Incubator (OGIPI). We cover both game development and game business. You can decide whether you want to take part in only the development or the business side of things. But to get the full picture, we recommend both!

How OGIPI works

Step 1: Learn to make games

The very first step of OGIPI happens in the spring with Pelifarmi (Game Farm). Pelifarmi is a coaching programme aimed for young people between the ages 17-29* interested in making games, whether it’s coding, graphics, game design or sound design. The Pelifarmi programme lasts four months. During the four months you’ll get a wide perspective on game development, how to do work in projects as well as how team work really makes the dream work.

Optional step for summer – get more game dev knowhow at Rovaniemi Summer Game Studies.

*If you happen to be over 29, utilize the Summer Game Studies provided by Lapland University of Applied Sciences. And know that despite being over 29, you are very much welcome to the business coaching part of OGIPI (see below).

Apply here for Pelifarmi

Step 2: Learn to make business out of games

The second part of OGIPI takes place in the autumn. The focus is to understand how the game business works. As this is a pre-incubator we go through the basics of how to build a pitch deck, where to get funding, how to monetize and all the pitfalls to avoid on your journey from a game enthusiast into game professional. The business coaching has group sessions as well as one-on-one coaching.

Optional step – apply for Finnish Game Incubator to further develop your game business and if accepted, start in November.

Apply here for OGIPI Business Coaching

Step 3: Apply for AVEK concept funding

Application period for AVEK’s DigiDemo and CreaDemo funding for concept planning is usually open from February to April. It can be applied as a working group, individual or by a company. The concept planning is eligible for a grant of 5000 €. If you need help with your funding application, get in contact with BusinessOulu.

Learn more from AVEK's website

OGIPI is a one-time pilot done in collaboration with the City of Oulu’s Nuorten Oulu and BusinessOulu’s Pre-Incubator for Scalable Business Programme project during 2025. If all goes well, we hope to find additional resources to continue the business development coaching of OGIPI. If not, Pelifarmi and other activities presented above continue to exist as resources for those interested in the game industry.