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12 February 13:30-19:00Elite Stadshotellet, Karlstad

❄️Welcome to The Great Winter Pitch!❄️

Calling all game developers, indie studios, and entrepreneurs!

Got a killer game idea that's keeping you up at night? Whether you're deep in the code, polishing a prototype, or just dreaming up epic worlds, your moment is here to share your project on a live stage.

The Great Journey presents The Great Winter Pitch, the premier arena for developers and indie studios to showcase groundbreaking projects. Pitch to an expert panel, engage a live audience, and compete for a substantial cash prize to fuel your development journey.


PRICE*

1st place: 10 000 SEK and Lurkit subscription worth 30 000 SEK

*Eligibility for the prize money requires a registered company. No company yet? Don't sweat it! 🤝 We can help guide you through setting one up.

The Great Journey aims to promote ambitious teams and studios looking to be a part of the growing local games industry in Värmland, Sweden. For more information: https://www.thegreatjourney.se.

Location

The event will be held in "Stora Salen" at Elite Stadshotellet in Karlstad, by the banks of Klarälven, neatly distanced to the central station and the town square. Enter via main reception of the hotel and not the Vana Spa entrance (where we arranged The Great Summer Pitch). 

Storage

An unmanned cloakroom is available, but Elite Stadshotellet Karlstad or The Great Journey are not responsible for your valuables. Do not leave items that could be stolen to lie in the open.

Questions?

info@thegreatjourney.se

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© MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors

Schedule

13:00

Doors Open

Please feel free to join us early to network with fellow attendees before the stage sessions starts at 13:30!

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Elite Stadshotellet, Stora Salen
13:30

The Great Winter Pitch 2026

Teams from all over Sweden will pitch their latest projects to a live audience and a jury from the games industry.

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Elite Stadshotellet, Stora Salen
16:30

Drinks & Mingle

Celebrate and join us for an evening mingle to round off the day at The Great Winter Pitch 2026.

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Elite Stadshotellet, Stora Salen
19:00

Event Ending

Thank you for attending!

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Elite Stadshotellet Karlstad

❄️Who can submit?❄️

To be eligible to pitch you must be:

  • 18+ years or older
  • Submit application on time
  • Deliver a pitch on the pitch day

❄️Who can attend?❄️

Anyone can come and be part of the audience! Your support and curiosity fuel this community. Cheer on your fellow developers, ask great questions, and be inspired.

❄️Rules❄️

  • The pitch and the deliveries need to be in English
  • 5 minutes pitch and 5 minutes Q&A with the panel
  • In order to receive the price money, you must have a registered company, if you don't have this yet, we can help you to set this up.
  • Take part in the mandatory pitch training with our Game & Business Developer
  • A pitch on the pitch day.

❄️Important dates❄️

  • Jan 31 - Deadline Pitch Deck Submission
  • Feb 6 - Response to Pitchers if Accepted
  • Feb 9 - Deadline Complimentary Delivery
  • Feb 12 - Pitch Day!

Pitch application is now closed!
APPLY HERE


How to pitch your game

Interested in pitching your game but don't know how? Let some of the previous year's winners give you their best tips on how to craft a successful game pitch! In the video below you see:

The Panel 2026

Selecting the winners is a responsibility we entrust to a panel of respected industry voices. Chosen for their insight and love of the craft, they approach each pitch looking for that unique blend of creativity and heart. 

On the 12th of February we are proud to welcome the voices who will help shape this year's selection:

Martin Lindell
Senior Advisor | Embracer Group

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Natalia Kovalainen
Chief Archivist | Embracer Games

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Casey Al-Kaisy
Product Director | Brink Labs

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Nils Ryborg
Senior Producer | Funcom

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