The IGDA Finland Grant
IGDA Finland’s mission is to help out game developers in Finland, in any & all ways possible. This is why we created the IGDA Finland Grant in 2024.
🤷♀️ WHAT?
The success of our community and industry doesn’t just happen by itself, it’s something we have to work on. Constantly.
IGDA Finland Grant is our way of directly supporting indie devs who are working on their first game. Because, as game developers ourselves, we know how tough starting out is.
That’s what we’re here for: helping you get that game out! ✌️
And now we’re on the lookout for a new team for 2025 that we can take into the middle of the industry!
⌛ LAST YEAR
The team chosen in 2024 was End-All Entertainment and their game Paradigm Island is coming out this summer. Now we’re on the lookout for a new team for 2025 that we can take into the middle of the industry!
So far End-All Entertainment got
• To showcase their game across Finland in many different events
• Mentors giving detailed feedback on art, narrative, how to work as a team, business and design. The whole shebang!
• The Grant funds to polish and market their game
👤 WHO?
Any fresh devs making their first game!
• New indie teams
• Solo devs
• Student teams
• Starting devs close to finishing their game but need that final oomph! 💪 to get it out
📆 WHEN?
April 8th
Submissions open
July 1st
Submissions close
August 12th
Grant recipient announced
🤔 REQUIREMENTS
Must haves:
• Business ID (y-tunnus)
• Credible team & solid GDD
• A vertical slice/demo
• Realistic 1-year release window
• Starting from August 2025
🙏 BENEFITS
What you get:
• Grant fund / 10 000€
• Showcase at any/all IGDA Finland hubs, all 15 of them!
• Mentor evenings = industry veteran feedback & connections
• Marketing boost when selected & when releasing the game
• Present your game at game industry events in Finland
SPONSORS
We are in an incredibly fortunate position that we have such a fantastic community in Finland, that wants to support new talent! We are collaborating with Supercell & Metropolia to make IGDA Finland Grant happen again this year. Just like us, they believe in investing in the future of this community and our industry.
A massive thank you for helping us make this possible! 👏
❓ FAQ ❓
Who is the jury?
IGDA Finland’s Board and Advisors will select the recipients from all the applicants.
Does the company need to be registered already when the application is submitted, or can it wait until a possible positive decision has been received?
Yes, there has to be a company with an active Business ID (y-tunnus) when applying.
Can I apply if I am a private trader (toiminimi)?
Yes, as long as the applying entity has a valid Business ID, it’s all good
What if there is a conflict of interest, for example, one of the jury members has been or currently is a teacher of a team or some of the people in the team?
In this case that member of the jury will abstain from voting for that particular team.
What if our game doesn’t reach the required amount of revenue?
Don’t worry! You will not be liable to pay back anything if revenue thresholds are not met.
Does this count towards my company’s de minimis?
This is not a governmental grant, so no, it will not count towards your de minimis.
If a team acquires a publishing contract after applying but before the selection process is completed, does this disqualify them?
If you are in the middle of publishing deal discussions, we assume you will inform us of this in your Pitch Deck/GDD.
Do I have to produce receipts of how we spend the money?
Absolutely not.
I have a great idea for a game, can I use the Grant to get started?
Hey, that’s great to hear but unfortunately, the Grant is meant for games that are already well underway, not for those that are at the idea stage. No demo, no Grant.
What if we have team members who are members of other IGDA Chapters than IGDA Finland, does that count towards the 50% membership rule?
This is a Grant for the Finnish game industry and community by the Finnish game industry and community, therefor the rule applies only to IGDA Finland memberships.
Will the grant be given to only one team/dev?
As this is our first Grant we are giving it out to one dev team. It will go to a legal entity (with a valid Business ID/y-tunnus), not to an individual person.
Does the application require on-location participation? If so, where and when?
No.
The only on-location that is requested (by at least part of the team) is once a game project is chosen:
- When we make a public announcement of it
- When we organise the feedback mentorship evening
- When the game is released
