Espoo Game LAB brought new companies, jobs and networks to the area's game industry
The three-year Espoo Game LAB programme has come to an end. The programme’s closing event was held on 18 August 2026 at A Grid in Otaniemi and brought together around 80 participants. Attendees included programme participants, game industry entrepreneurs and project partners. Companies, teams and networks established during the project gathered to celebrate their shared achievements and exchange experiences about the programme’s impact.
Espoo Game LAB is part of the Game Hub for SMEs in the Capital Region Project, which aimed to support new game industry companies, entrepreneurs and teams. During the three-year programme, a total of 108 people participated. The project resulted in the creation of 13 new companies and 22.5 full-time equivalent jobs. In addition, 38 events were organised, reaching approximately 2,100 participants.
The results demonstrate that supporting entrepreneurship and expertise in the game industry can lead to new businesses, jobs and collaboration opportunities. This is also important for Espoo, which seeks to strengthen business growth, innovation and regional vitality.
“Espoo Game LAB showed how the right kind of support, networks and community can help new teams take their first steps toward entrepreneurship. It is great to see that the companies, partnerships and expertise developed during the programme continue to grow even after the project has ended,” says Project Manager Daniela Metsäranta.
A community that supports entrepreneurship
During the programme, participants received support for game development, entrepreneurship and team building. For many, the programme provided an opportunity to find new collaborators, complement their skills and expand their professional networks.
One of the highlights of the closing event was a panel discussion moderated by KooPee Hiltunen of Neogames Finland. Representatives from DIRGA Games, Studio Laaya and Nothing Normal shared their experiences of entrepreneurship and building game studios. The discussion highlighted the importance of strong teams, community support and long-term development work.
The atmosphere at the event was warm and community-oriented. Many participants said they had found new collaborators, friends and professional networks through the programme. According to participants, Espoo Game LAB has helped build a community in the Helsinki metropolitan area where expertise, ambition and peer support come together.
Evaluation Confirmed the Benefits of the Operating Model
Neogames Finland evaluated the Espoo Game LAB operating model developed during the project. According to the evaluation, the programme’s strengths included combining game development with entrepreneurship, community-based learning, support for team formation, and the continuous improvement of activities based on participant feedback.
Although the project’s funding period is coming to an end, the companies, teams and networks established during the programme will continue their activities. The project’s impact will also be visible in the future through new collaboration opportunities, growing expertise in the game industry and the creation of new businesses.
More information:
Annika Forstén
Development Manager, City of Espoo
annika.forsten@espoo.fi
Downloadable files
- Espoo Game LAB -toiminnan arviointiraportti, Neogames.pdfFile is only available in Finnish