DEMO DAY Competition 🎮 - Demo Pitch Application
Finndie Forge DEMO DAY Competition 🎮
Your game. Your pitch. Your next opportunity.
Join us for an evening dedicated to Finnish indie games, emerging developers and playable game projects.
On Demo Day, selected developers get 3 minutes to pitch their game demo to an industry jury - with the opportunity to receive feedback, make valuable connections and get their project in front of people from the game industry.
Whether you're a developer looking for your next opportunity or a game enthusiast who wants to discover the next generation of Finnish indie games, you're welcome to join us.
📅 16 October 2026
📍 StartHub Lahti, Verstaskatu 19, 15210 Lahti
🕐 17.00-22.00
Free to attend - registration required.
If you are not a developer and just want to join event as attendee 🎟️ Register here → https://luma.com/2gte0a81
Demo Day will also be livestreamed by IGDA Digihub.
Livestream link will be shared before the event.
🎮 What is Demo Day?
Demo Day is a showcase event for indie game developers and emerging game projects.
Selected developers will step on stage and have 3 minutes to pitch their game demo to our jury.
The goal is simple:
Show us your game. Tell us why it matters. Make us remember it.
After the pitches, the jury will evaluate the projects and selected teams may have the opportunity to continue the conversation with industry professionals.
What you can expect
🎮 Playable indie game demos
🎤 3-minute live pitches
👥 Industry jury
💬 Feedback & discussion
🤝 Networking
🧩 Opportunities for future collaboration
🚀 Who can apply?
Demo Day is open to:
Indie game developers
Small game studios
Student teams
First-time developers
Early-stage game projects
Developers with a playable prototype or demo
You don't need to have a finished game.
If you have something playable and you're looking for feedback, funding, publishing, connections or your next opportunity - we want to see it.
🚀 Developers showcasing and pitching their demos in Demo Day are:
Mika Happonen - Supinaa: Rogue Sapling
Niklas Seppänen - Ape Brain Games
Emma Lahikainen - Amphibian Arcade
Hannu Riipinen and Julius Salmi - Mixed Martial Cards
Pham Van Ngoc (Noah) - Wordlike
Toni Leivonen - She Hunts
Jyri Lassheikki - Cycle Five
Joni Nyman - Liminal Trauma
Lelde Katrīna Prikule - Alienated
Olavi Liukko - AshenRealms
Demo Day Event Schedule
16:30-17:00 (30 min) Demo Corner Setup
Pitching teams set up their demo stations, test equipment and prepare their games.
17:00-17:30 (30 min) Doors Open & Check-in
Guests arrive, check in and explore the venue before the official program begins.
17:30-17:45 (15 min) Opening Ceremony
Welcome, introduction to Finndie Forge, IGDA, Code of conduct, jury introductions and competition rules.
17:45-18:15 (30 min) Pitch Session 1 Games 1-5
Mika Happonen - Supinaa: Rogue Sapling
Niklas Seppänen - Ape Brain Games
Emma Lahikainen - Amphibian Arcade
Niilo Keinänen - Mixed Martial Cards
Pham Van Ngoc (Noah) - Wordlike
18:15-18:30 (15 min) Networking Break
Refreshments, conversations and a short break before the second session.
18:30-19:00 (30 min) Pitch Session 2 Games 6-9
6. Toni Leivonen - She Hunts
7. Jyri Lassheikki - Cycle Five
8. Joni Nyman - Liminal Trauma
9. Lelde Katrīna Prikule - Alienated
10. Olavi Liukko - AshenRealms
19:00-19:15 (15 min) Jury Deliberation
The jury finalizes scores and selects the winner. Guests can visit demo corners during this time.
19:15-19:30 (15 min) Winner Announcement & Awards
Announce the winner, present awards and take a group photo.
19:30-22:00 (150 min) Demo Showcase & Networking
Play the games, meet developers, connect with the jury and industry professionals, and explore collaboration opportunities.
🎤 The 3-Minute Pitch
Each selected developer will have exactly 3 minutes to introduce their game to the jury.
Your pitch should answer three simple questions:
1. What is your game?
Give us the elevator pitch.
2. Why is it interesting?
Show us the core gameplay, hook or unique idea.
3. What are you looking for?
Tell us what you need next.
For example:
"We're looking for a publisher."
"We're looking for funding."
"We're looking for a development partner."
"We're looking for feedback and industry connections."
⏱️ Keep it simple
You only have 3 minutes.
You can use:
Gameplay footage
A live demo
Screenshots
Slides
Trailer footage
Your presentation should be prepared in advance.
Pitching materials should be sent to us by 21:00 on Wednesday, October 14.
To help us prepare for the Demo Day pitch sessions, please send us your pitch presentation in PDF format by email before the event. You can also send us a PowerPoint or Google Slides version but ensure all required fonts and links are included with the presentation file.
If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
Toni Tilsala
toni@finndieforge.fi
Discord: .tqni (🔥 Toni 🔥 Finndie Brewmaster 🔥 or Toni | Hub Co-Lead)
+358 40 519 1167
If you have links to your demo we can share them during the event for the online audience. If you have game trailers, we can showcase them during breaks.
You can send Pitch Decks and Trailers directly to our Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WPwVaGKTPu1SCxqkA4QJzvzsppZsXxt9?usp=sharing
📤 Submit Your Game
Want to pitch your game at Demo Day?
Register through Luma and tell us about your project.
We will ask for:
Game title
Team / studio name
Contact person
Email
Short game description
Genre
Platform
Current development stage
Link to your playable demo
Trailer / gameplay video
Website / social media
What are you looking for?
Short description of your team
You don't need a finished game.
A playable prototype is enough.
⚖️ How will games be evaluated?
Our jury will evaluate each project across three key areas:
💰 Commercial Potential
Market appeal, business potential and target audience fit.
⚙️ Technical Execution & Quality
Technical quality, usability, stability and overall execution.
✨ Uniqueness
Originality, distinctiveness, creative identity and memorable gameplay.
📍🗺️ Getting Here
🚌 By bus:
Verstaskatu 19 is easily accessible from Lahti Travel Centre by local buses 1, 1S, 1K and 13. (“Niemen kampus”)
The campus is approximately 4 km from Lahti Travel Centre.
For the most up-to-date departure times and routes, check the LSL journey planner.
🚗 By car: Parking
Paid parking is available near the venue.
P1 & P4: 1 hour free, then €1/hour.
Parking can be paid through eParking, EasyPark, Moovy or Parkman.
📅 Important dates
15 September - Applications open
9 October - Application deadline
12 October - Selected developers announced
14 October - Pitch materials deadline by 21:00
16 October - Demo Day 🎮