The UK's video games industry is one of the country's most significant creative exports, contributing £6 billion in Gross Value Added to the UK economy and supporting more than 73,000 jobs across the country. Dundee alone is home to the highest concentration of gaming companies per working-age population of any British city, a legacy built on studios like Rockstar North, 4J Studios and Denki, while Edinburgh and Glasgow have grown into major hubs in their own right, between them home to 98 and 64 game studios respectively. For founders building games IP in Scotland, the talent, the heritage and the momentum are already here. What's harder to access, particularly for smaller or earlier-stage studios, is direct, in-person reach into the publishers, investors and platform holders who decide what gets funded, published and played next. That's the gap Techscaler Gamescom Cologne 2026 is designed to close.
(Source: Ukie, ICAEW, Centre for cities, MCV develop)
What is Gamescom?
Gamescom is the world's biggest event for computer and video games, held annually in Cologne. Last year's edition drew 357,000 visitors and a record 34,000 trade visitors from across the globe, figures reported by industry trade press following Koelnmesse and game e.V.'s official release. It's the single point in the calendar where games studios, publishers, investors, platform holders and players from every corner of the industry are in the same rooms, at the same time, working through the same questions: what's next, what's worth backing, and who's building it.
Why this matters for Scotland's games founders
For founders, an event of this scale is often something you can't access meaningfully on your own. Securing the right meetings, getting in front of the right publishers, and making the most of a week like this takes preparation, context and the right introductions. Techscaler Gamescom Cologne 2026 exists to remove that barrier. It's a one-week, founder-led programme for up to 5 Techscaler member businesses working on their own games IP, built to get the right people from Scotland into the right rooms in Cologne.
What the programme offers
Participants will be supported to:
- Build relationships with publishers, investors, platform holders and industry partners
- Explore routes to funding, publishing, distribution and international growth
- Gather live feedback on alpha, beta or playable builds
- Grow awareness and community engagement around their upcoming title
- Get a clearer read on current games industry trends and commercial models
- Bring what they learn back to Scotland's wider games and startup ecosystem
This is a supported, founder-led experience. Techscaler will help participants prepare ahead of the trip and make the right connections, while founders take the lead on their own schedule and the meetings that matter most to their business.
Who can apply
This programme is open to founders, co-founders or senior leaders who are working on their own games IP and are in a position to pitch to investors and publishers, and to acquire users while in Cologne. Applicants must be Techscaler members at the time of application.
Key dates
- Applications open: Tuesday, 30 June, 9am
- Deadline to apply for Techscaler membership (non-members): Tuesday, 7 July, 12pm
- Applications close: Tuesday, 14 July, 12pm
- Application review: Wednesday, 15 July to Friday, 17 July
- Outcome sent: Monday, 20 July
- Gamescom dates: Wednesday, 26 August to Sunday, 30 August
Find out more and apply at www.techscaler.co.uk/gamescom-cologne-2026.
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