01
Sharpen your pitch deck
Feedback on structure, storyline, dramaturgy and evidence. Not abstract – directly on the deck you actually use.
Free · Apply by June 30
Free Pitch Training
for Games Startups.
Masterclass, 1:1 coaching on your own deck and preparation for gamescom, publishers and investors. For Press Start alumni. 15 spots. gamescom trade visitor ticket required.
Apply now
→
Application deadline: June 30, 2026
Learn more
94 %
NPS in pitch training
From previous PIRATEx trainings
15
Teams in 1:1 coaching
Limited spots, working on your own deck
100 %
Free of charge
For Press Start alumni
What you take away
A clearer pitch.
A clearer pitch.
For every situation that counts.
By the end you will know more precisely what to say. What to show. And what you can safely leave out.
02
Train three pitch lengths
Elevator pitch, 3-minute pitch and 10-minute pitch. For the trade show floor, the stage, investor calls and partner meetings.
03
Understand investor thinking
Concrete do's and don'ts. Which questions come up. Which answers build trust. And which sentences do damage.
04
Get gamescom-ready
Preparation for real situations: short trade show conversations, tough questions on calls, spontaneous opportunities and follow-ups.
Why this matters
Good studios rarely fail because of the idea.
Good studios rarely fail because of the idea.
They often fail because of the narrative.
Press Start gave games founders time, structure and momentum. Now it is about telling your own story so that others can grasp it quickly.
At gamescom, attention is scarce. In a publisher call, too. In conversations with funding bodies, partners or investors, even more so. The pitch does not need to be louder – it needs to be clearer.
The Process
Compact programme.
Compact programme.
The most important part is the 1:1.
Phase 01
Masterclass
Digital, approx. 4 hours
Pitch psychology, storytelling, deck structure, investor types and the logic of different pitch formats. With examples tailored to games startups.
Phase 02
1:1 Coaching
60 minutes per startup
The core of the training. 15 startups get their own session. We work on your existing deck, the storyline and the way the pitch is delivered.
Phase 03
Transfer
Handout, feedback, gamescom
Digital material for follow-up, quality assurance via survey and a moderated get-together on 28 August 2026 at the BMFTR booth at gamescom.
X
Voices from PIRATEx pitch trainings
What participants say.
Ungefiltert. Ungeschönt. Echte Stimmen von echten Teilnehmer:innen.
Manuel and the whole PIRATEx crew helped us really transform our pitch from a boilerplate pitch to something really impactful. Manuel's feedback was precise, constructive, and motivating. THANK YOU!!
This is easily the best and most helpful/relevant experience and opportunity we've had this year.
The pitch training was incredibly valuable. I walked away with clearer messaging, a sharper pitch, and confidence in presenting my game.
The mix of profound startup knowledge and Manuel's understanding of gaming studios made the content feel tailor-made for me.
This Pitch Training is a must for indie companies with little to no experience in pitching to actual VCs and investors.
Manuel is an excellent pitch doctor - he gets you into the right headspace and reshapes how you think about pitching - even after a ton of time pitching.
I came in with a messy pitch and left with something crisp, focused, and memorable. The difference in just one session was huge.
Manuel has a real gift for breaking down complex ideas into clear, actionable steps. I finally understand how investors actually think.
The pitching training offered by PIRATEx was invaluable for us! It helped us polish our pitch decks and the delivery.
Your Coach
Manuel Koelman knows the stage.
Manuel Koelman knows the stage.
And the other side of the table.
Manuel is PIRATE founder, entrepreneur and investor. For over 20 years he has been building companies and supporting founders. For him, a pitch is not a show – it is the moment when a team reveals whether it truly understands its own story.
Hundreds of pitch competitions
PIRATE has produced pitch formats worldwide. With startups, juries, investors, corporates and programmes where preparation determines quality.
Gaming experience from practice
PIRATEx has been working at the intersection of games, startups and investors for years. Games startups need to tell their story differently from classic SaaS startups.
Investor perspective without theatre
Good investors are not looking for a perfect performance. They are looking for substance, pace, team clarity and the ability to learn.
gamescom invest circle as a next step.
For some alumni, the training can sharpen the story enough that an investor-oriented format comes within reach. Not the goal for everyone – but for strong teams a meaningful next step.
View gamescom invest circle →For teams that want to explain their studio better – everywhere.
Some are preparing for gamescom. Others for publishers, funding, press or the next funding round. The goal is the same: people should understand more quickly why this game and this team matter.
Learn about Press Start → Press Start Pitch Training / FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is the pitch training really free?
Yes. The Press Start Pitch Training is commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). There are no costs for participating teams.
Who can apply?
Alumni of the Press Start Games Founders Scholarship who want to sharpen their pitch for investors, publishers, partners, funding bodies or trade show conversations. A gamescom trade visitor ticket is required, as the training prepares for the trade show and the get-together takes place on-site. Places are limited to 15 teams.
Does my pitch deck need to be finished?
A pitch deck must exist, but it does not need to be final. The training works best when there is a concrete foundation and the story is still flexible enough to refine.
What happens in the 1:1 coaching?
We work directly on your pitch deck. Storyline, timing, slide logic, critical questions and delivery. The session is deliberately personal because every studio has different strengths and blind spots.
Is it only about investors?
No. Investor readiness is an important part. But a good pitch also helps with publishers, partners, funding bodies, customers, press and networking at trade shows.
What language is the training in?
German or English. We adapt the language to the group and the pitch context. Many teams ultimately need both: a German founder story and an English investor pitch.
What do I take away after the training?
A clearer deck, a more confident feel for your own story, concrete investor do's and don'ts, a digital handout and better preparation for the conversations that matter at gamescom and beyond.
15 spots.
Apply now.
Free pitch training for Press Start alumni. Masterclass, 1:1 coaching and gamescom preparation.
Apply now