The gaming industry is a growing and international sector. The global revenue from digital games is projected to reach 187 billion euros in 2024, which is more than three times the combined revenue of the music and film industries. Finland is known as a pioneer in the gaming industry, especially in mobile gaming. The Finnish gaming industry has seen significant growth over the past decade, employing over 4,100 people by the end of 2022. The industry's revenue in Finland surpassed the 3 billion euro mark in 2021. Although Finland is known for its concentration of mobile game developers, Finnish studios have also produced successful games for both PC and gaming consoles. Kajaani is internationally recognized as a hub for the gaming industry. Kajaani's gaming industry began in 2006 when Kajaani University of Applied Sciences started offering game industry education. The education has been successful, producing skilled workforce for gaming companies across Finland and significantly impacting Kajaani's vitality and age structure. Kajaani is home to several successful gaming companies, such as Kitka Games, CSE Entertainment, Critical Force, and Blacksmoke Studios. These companies had a combined revenue of over 150 million euros in 2022. Thanks to these companies, Kajaani is one of the largest gaming hubs in Finland. Kajaani-based gaming companies currently employ over 150 people, with about half of them located in Kajaani and the rest around the world. The success of these companies is attributed to the skilled workforce that has graduated from Kajaani University of Applied Sciences. In the past decade, the establishment of new gaming companies in Kajaani has almost come to a halt. Most of the current successful companies emerged from previous development projects. Therefore, the recent stagnation in new company startups highlights the need to create favorable conditions for new companies to emerge and to further enhance and develop regional expertise to a higher level. The goal of the Kainuu GEMS (Game entrepreneurship mentoring to success) project is to create a sustainable path for developing entrepreneurial skills in the gaming industry in Kainuu, with the aim of establishing new gaming growth companies. The success stories of these growth companies will attract more students and entrepreneurs to the region's education and entrepreneurship programs, creating a positive cycle that strengthens and expands the industry even further. The path to developing entrepreneurial skills in the gaming industry consists of a two-part program: "From Game Students to Skilled Founder Teams" before starting a company and "Skill Accelerator for Global Success" mentorship program after establishing a company. The training program lasts for 1.5 years per rotation and includes inspiring entrepreneurship in the gaming industry, a systematic method for forming game teams, and increasing the substance, team well-being, and entrepreneurial skills of teams to a level required for starting a company. The mentorship program lasts for 2 years and focuses on deepening the knowledge of aspiring gaming entrepreneurs in both substance and business skills within their growing and international companies. The skills learned in the programs are tested at international gaming events with the goal of securing funding and publishing agreements for their own companies. The programs aim to raise skills to a level that enables external Series A (2M€-15M€) growth funding. These programs are offered to existing and to be located in Kainuu teams, gaming education programs, and international cohorts starting in the fall of 2024 and beyond. The program materials are produced in English. The project aims to create a working method that generates a center of expertise in Kajaani, which supports the creation of funding-eligible companies. By financing such companies, the project can continue its activities even after the project ends in 2027, with plans to establish a separate Kainuu gaming industry funding foundation. The target audience for the project includes Kajaani University of Applied Sciences gaming students, early-stage game teams, new gaming entrepreneurs, and individuals interested in gaming entrepreneurship. Results and Impact: Kainuu becoming the second most important gaming expertise center in Finland after the capital metropolitan area. A sustainable and self-sustaining method for the emergence of new gaming companies. Significant increase in attraction and retention in Kainuu. Strong growth in vitality and competitiveness in Kainuu. Significant increase in global reputation for Kainuu within the global gaming industry.