The growth of the Finnish game industry and the impact of Tekes' funding and networks for it 2004-2014.

1. 10 YEARS
OF FUNDING AND
NETWORKS
FOR THE FINNISH
GAME INDUSTRY
in the game 2004–2014

2. TURNOVERof the Finnish Game Industry 2004–2014
Astronomical growth
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
70
65
78
87
40
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009 87
105
165
250
900
1800
¢ In comparison, the turnover of the Finnish ICT
industry was 8.3 billion euros in 2013. In that year,
the Finnish game industry represented 10% of the
turnover of the ICT industry. This share will very likely
grow to almost 20% in 2014. From the point of view
of national economy, the game industry has grown
to be a significant part of the Finnish industrial
landscape.
TURNOVER
2004–2014
€3647
Million
€ Million

3. TEKES FUNDING
to the Finnish Game Industry 2004–2014
Long-term risk sharing public funding
¢ During Tekes’ game industry
specific programme, Skene – Games
Refueled (2012–2015), Tekes has
funded the Finnish game industry with
28 million euros (53 million euros with
companies’ own share included).
The total amount of private investments to Finnish game
companies during Skene is 53 million euros (excluding the
Supercell Gungho Softbank acquisition). In most cases
these investments would not have been possible without
Tekes funding’s leverage. The total value of financial
transactions in 2012–2014 is 1.5 billion euros.
TOTAL FUNDING
2004–2014
€67
Million
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2,7
3
6
5
6,3
6,5
8,6
14,1
8,4
5,5
0,9
€ Million

4. Big impact with carefully targeted funding
TEKES SUPPORT
Percentage of the Finnish Game Industry Turnover 2004–2014
PERCENTAGE
2004–2014
1,84%
¢ Due to the rapid growth
of the Finnish game
industry, the relative share
of Tekes support has
decreased in 2004–2014.
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
20052004
3,86
4,62
7,69
5,75
7,24
6,19
5,21
5,68
0,93
0,31
2,25
Percentage

5. Only for the best
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
16
12
26
19
21
23
23
33
43
25
10
Number
COMPANIES RECEIVING
Tekes Funding 2004–2014
¢The number of
companies in the
Finnish game industry
has grown from appr.
40 companies in 2004
to 260 companies in
the end of 2014. Over
50 companies have
received funding from
Tekes’ Skene – Games
Refueled programme
in 2012–2014. This equals
appr. 20% of the total
number of companies.

6. Hi-tech industry
EMPLOYEES
in the Finnish Game Industry 2004–2014
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
1000
900
1100
1150
1120
1080
1250
1800
2200
2500
600
Number
¢The relative turnover
(turnover per employee)
of the Finnish game
industry has grown
much faster than in
traditional industries.
This is typical for born
global IP-based hi-tech
industry.

7. SKENE FACTSn 28 million euros funding from Tekes’ Skene – Games
Refueled programme to boost the game development
business of the most promising Finnish game
companies in 2012–2015
WHAT DID WE GET?
n 53 million euros private investor money for
Finnish game companies in 2012–2015
n Game industry with turnover of over
1.8 billion euros in 2015 (250 million euros in 2012)
n Over 260 game companies with 2 500 employees
n Major global game giants like EA, Ubisoft and
Unity present in Finland
Check out Skene, www.tekes.fi/skene

8. COMPANIES BOOSTED
BY SKENE FUNDING AND NETWORKS

9. u FROZENBYTE
Game engine development with
big impact
Skene funded Frozenbyte’s game engine
development (incl. e.g. improvement
of graphics, animation, sound and
multiplayer technology) with which the
company created the already seven
million selling Trine series. In addition to
R&D, Skene funding made possible the
shipping of Trine 2 for PlayStation 4 and
Nintendo Wii U.
u SMALL GIANT GAMES
Development tool and concept
improvement for mobile games
With Skene funding the industry veteran
founded Small Giant Games developed
their game engine, level design tools,
multiplayer and game concept. Skene
provided advice as well for game
business development.
u EVERYWEAR GAMES
Games for smart watches
Everywear Games developed technology
for Apple’s smart watch platform with
Skene funding. The funding enabled
the company to create a new game for
a new platform from scratch in less than
six months.
u CUCKOO WORKOUT
Wellbeing game encourages office
workers to move their asses
Skene funding helped Cuckoo Workout
to add traditional gaming elements to
their wellbeing game. Skene cooperation
also enabled the company to hire a
developer and to chart the US market.
COMPANIES BOOSTED
BY SKENE FUNDING AND NETWORKS

10. u TUNNEL GROUND
Finnish multimedia company
combines a new games and comics IP
Skene funding enabled Tunnel Ground
to develop technology platform for
sharing games on mobile devices
and smart televisions. Skene’s most
important contribution was to network
the company with veterans of the
gaming industry and build valuable
contacts.
u MINDFIELD GAMES
Virtual reality games for Oculus Rift
With Skene funding Mindfield Games
has investigated the Oculus Rift
platform thoroughly for advantages
and disadvantages in terms of game
development. The funding helped the
company to remove motion sickness that
is typical for virtual reality games, from
their forthcoming debut title.
u RIVAL GAMES
Episode-based games with good
storyline
Rival Games made the first episode of
their game with Skene funding. A game
based on a well-known comic strip is
on its way too. The funding helped to
seal the forthcoming game partnership
and enabled the creation of tools and
future working methods. As well, Skene
funding was of the greatest benefit in
building an expert team.
Check out Skene, www.tekes.fi/skene
COMPANIES BOOSTED
BY SKENE FUNDING AND NETWORKS

11. TEKES’ SKENE PROGRAMME
ACCELERATING THE FINNISH
GAME INDUSTRY GROWTH
2012–2015