LVL Zero Cohort Showcases 10 Game Startups Driving Global Innovation

India's gaming industry has become one of the world's largest player markets, but a new generation of developers is working to ensure the country becomes equally known for creating original gaming intellectual property.

LVL Zero, India's first gaming incubator backed by MIXI Global Investments, Nazara Technologies, and Chimera VC, selected 10 startups for its inaugural cohort from over 240 applications received across the country. The cohort represents a diverse cross-section of Indian game development from narrative-driven PC and console experiences to strategy games, sandbox builders, experimental concepts, and deeply personal indie projects.

Collectively, these studios reflect a broader shift underway in Indian game development, where creators are increasingly building for global audiences while retaining distinct creative identities.

Kyrel Games

Game: PHi: The Broken Strings

Founded by Mani Ghadi and Mayank Singh, Kyrel Games is developing PHi: The Broken Strings, a 3D narrative puzzle platformer for PC and consoles.

The game places players inside a puppet universe where environments, characters, and puzzles embody different emotional and psychological states. Through themes of fear, attachment, control, grief, and acceptance, the studio aims to create an emotionally resonant experience that explores what it means to let go.

Kyrel represents a growing wave of Indian developers focused on premium narrative experiences designed for global audiences.

Trojan Productions

Game: Trox: The Reversal

Founded by Vinil Verghese and Sushant Devadhe, Trojan Productions is building Trox: The Reversal, a narrative psychological horror game set within an altered reality.

The game combines atmospheric storytelling, environmental horror, and emotional tension, drawing inspiration from social systems, isolation, ideology, and post-nuclear survival. Rather than relying solely on traditional horror mechanics, the studio focuses on creating immersive experiences that leave a lasting emotional impact on players.

Trojan Productions emerged from a game jam collaboration and has since evolved into a studio dedicated to creating meaningful horror experiences.

Wrought Studios

Game: Last Day Lockdown

Wrought Studios, founded by Kunal Negi and Srujan Pant, is developing Last Day Lockdown, a 3D narrative escape-room experience set inside a corporate office.

Built around themes of nostalgia, transition, and acceptance, the game transforms a familiar workplace environment into a mystery-driven experience where every clue, conversation, and decision matters.

By drawing inspiration from everyday experiences rather than fantasy worlds, Wrought Studios aims to create stories that resonate universally with players around the world.

Impulse Mechanics

Game: Mech It Happen!

Founded by Siddharth Gupta, Impulse Mechanics is developing Mech It Happen!, a physics-based sandbox simulation game that encourages players to build machines capable of solving traversal, mechanical, and destruction-focused challenges.

The game focuses on player creativity and experimentation, allowing users to design unique solutions rather than follow predefined paths. Through accessible gameplay systems and open-ended mechanics, the studio hopes to attract both genre enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Impulse Mechanics represents the growing interest among Indian developers in systems-driven gameplay experiences with broad international appeal.

YK Game Studio

Game: Chicklet's Human Products

Founded by Yash Kaushik, YK Game Studio is creating Chicklet's Human Products, an unconventional reverse-farming game where players take on the role of animals farming products from humans.

Blending satire, humor, survival mechanics, and progression systems, the game seeks to challenge traditional genre expectations through a highly distinctive premise and gameplay loop.

The project reflects the increasing willingness among Indian indie developers to experiment with bold concepts and globally recognizable gameplay formats.

Arckon Arts

Game: Stickman Infinite Kingdom

Arckon Arts is a family-founded studio led by brothers Dinesh Kumar, Rajesh Kumar, and Praveen Kumar.

Following the success of Sarkar Infinite, the studio is now developing Stickman Infinite Kingdom, an action-strategy title that combines real-time strategy mechanics, cinematic visuals, and a narrative-driven campaign.

The game introduces dynamic leader-switching mechanics and character-driven combat systems while building upon the studio's strengths in animation and stylized visual storytelling.

Arckon Arts reflects how successful indie teams are evolving from individual projects into long-term studios capable of building scalable intellectual property.

Xigma Games

Game: Metal Haven

Founded by Govardhan Gosavi and Himanshu Manwani, Xigma Games is best known for The Bonfire series, which has achieved more than 10 million downloads globally.

The studio's latest project, Metal Haven, is a sci-fi action strategy game focused on base-building, exploration, alliance-driven gameplay, and large-scale multiplayer competition.

The project marks Xigma's transition into free-to-play game development while maintaining the studio's emphasis on deep strategy systems and long-term player engagement.

As one of the most experienced teams in the cohort, Xigma Games demonstrates how Indian studios are increasingly targeting globally competitive genres and live-service ecosystems.

Prescription Studios

Game: The Misadventures of Spaceman Biff

Prescription Studios is the solo venture of developer Vignesh Sathyamoorthy.

Its debut title, The Misadventures of Spaceman Biff, is a 2D rage platformer that follows a stranded space-trucker attempting to climb back to safety while dealing with a cast of hilariously unhelpful customer support agents.

Combining challenging gameplay with narrative humor, the project reflects the growing confidence of solo developers pursuing ambitious creative visions within India's indie ecosystem.

Rudrac Games

Game: Twin Flames

Founded by solo developer Venkatesh Muskam, Rudrac Games is building Twin Flames, a cooperative puzzle adventure inspired by themes of love, connection, and duality.

Originally conceived during Global Game Jam, the game evolved into a narrative experience influenced by the story of Savitri and Satyavan, reimagined through an original fantasy lens.

Built entirely by a single creator, the project exemplifies the passion-driven development journeys increasingly emerging within India's independent game development scene.

KALP Studio

Game: Raahi

Founded by Rishabh Raj, Mannat Jain, and Akshat Sinha, KALP Studio is developing Raahi, a cozy narrative experience set in 1990s Goa.

Players take on the role of an auto-rickshaw driver navigating everyday life, meeting passengers, and becoming part of their personal stories. The game focuses on slowing players down and encouraging emotional connection through small moments rather than traditional gameplay objectives.

Drawing inspiration from literature, cinema, and art, KALP Studio represents a new generation of developers exploring games as deeply human storytelling experiences.

A Snapshot of India's Emerging Game Development Ecosystem

Together, the 10 startups selected for LVL Zero's inaugural cohort showcase the breadth of talent currently emerging from India's game development ecosystem.

From psychological horror and narrative adventures to strategy titles, sandbox simulations, cooperative experiences, and experimental gameplay concepts, these studios are building games across genres, platforms, and audiences. What unites them is a shared ambition: building globally competitive games from India and contributing to the country's growing game development ecosystem.

As the cohort progresses toward its final showcase, these startups represent a broader shift from India being known primarily as a gaming consumption market to becoming an increasingly important source of game creation, innovation, and globally relevant game development.

As part of the program's culmination, LVL Zero plans to host its inaugural Demo Day in Bengaluru during the third week of July 2026, bringing together investors, publishers, platforms, and ecosystem leaders to meet the cohort and experience their projects firsthand. The showcase will mark the conclusion of the incubator's first cohort and reflects LVL Zero's broader mission of strengthening India's gaming ecosystem while supporting the creation of globally competitive gaming companies.

LVL Zero Spotlight: India’s Emerging Game Studios Are Building Some of Its Biggest Creative Ambitions

• Solo founders, three-person teams, and deeply personal stories are shaping a new generation of Indian game development

India's gaming industry is often discussed through the lens of scale - millions of players, growing revenues, and expanding esports ecosystems. But behind this growth, a quieter movement is taking shape. Across the country, a new generation of independent developers is building original games with tiny teams, deeply personal creative visions, and global ambitions.

Among the startups selected for the inaugural cohort of LVL Zero, India's first gaming incubator backed by MIXI Global Investments, Nazara Technologies, and Chimera VC, are three studios that represent this emerging wave of creator-led game development: Prescription Studios, Rudrac Games, and KALP Studio.

Despite operating with lean teams and limited resources, each studio is building games that prioritize emotion, storytelling, and meaningful player experiences which is demonstrating how Indian game development is increasingly moving beyond scale and toward creative identity.

Building Worlds from Personal Passion

For Vignesh Sathyamoorthy, founder of Prescription Studios, game development began with a lifelong fascination for the medium.

Growing up on titles such as Mario, Contra, and later modern classics, games became both inspiration and refuge. That passion ultimately led him to create The Misadventures of Spaceman Biff, a narrative-driven 2D rage platformer that combines demanding gameplay with humour and storytelling. Built largely as a solo effort, the project required Vignesh to expand beyond programming and teach himself pixel art while balancing development alongside a full-time job.

"I've always dreamt of contributing to this medium in some way. Games have been with me through both the good times and the difficult ones, and creating my own felt like the natural path," he said.

His long-term vision extends beyond a single title, with ambitions to build a studio known for narrative-rich experiences across multiple genres.

One Developer, One Vision

For Venkatesh Muskam, founder of Rudrac Games, game development started unexpectedly during his biotechnology degree.

After discovering a game development course and building his first project, he realized he wanted to become what he describes as a "world creator" - someone capable of building entire universes from imagination.

That ambition evolved into Twin Flames, a cooperative puzzle adventure inspired by themes of duality, connection, and emotional storytelling. Drawing inspiration from the story of Savitri and Satyavan, the game reimagines ideas of companionship and partnership through interactive gameplay. Building the project alone required years of persistence, multiple rewrites, freelance work to fund development, and long stretches of uncertainty. The project eventually gained industry recognition by winning Best Indie Game Design at IGDC 2025, providing validation for years of effort.

"The vision is simple but meaningful. I want people to play together and feel more connected to each other by the end of the experience," Muskam explained.

Telling Stories Through Everyday Life

While many games focus on fantasy worlds, action, or high-stakes adventures, KALP Studio is taking a different approach.

Founded by Rishabh Raj, Mannat Jain, and Akshat Sinha, the studio is building Raahi, a narrative-driven experience set in 1990s Goa where players step into the role of an auto-rickshaw driver navigating everyday interactions and human stories. The project is rooted in a belief that games can help people slow down and connect more deeply with places, memories, and emotions.

"Most games are about power, speed, or saving the world. Raahi is about being present. We want players to remember the people they met and the emotions they felt rather than just objectives they completed," said the team.

Drawing inspiration from narrative experiences such as Firewatch, Gris, and What Remains of Edith Finch, KALP represents a growing category of Indian studios focused on emotionally resonant storytelling rather than traditional genre conventions.
A New Phase for Indian Game Development

The journeys of Prescription Studios, Rudrac Games, and KALP Studio highlight a broader shift taking place within India's gaming ecosystem.

Unlike previous generations that largely focused on outsourcing, service work, or mobile-first development, many emerging studios are now building original intellectual property with global audiences in mind. These teams are leveraging modern development tools, digital distribution platforms, and community-driven ecosystems to compete internationally despite operating with small teams.

For many founders, the opportunity today is not simply to make games in India, but to create products that can stand alongside globally recognized independent titles.

LVL Zero Onboards Leading Global & Indian Mentors to Power India’s Next Wave of Game Developers

LVL Zero, India’s first-of-its-kind gaming incubator backed by MIXI Global Investments, Nazara Technologies, and Chimera VC, today announced its mentor network for the inaugural cohort, bringing together Indian & global experts across game development, publishing, product, and growth to support India’s emerging game studios.

This mentor ecosystem will work closely with the 10 selected startups, embedding hands-on guidance into LVL Zero’s 100-day execution-driven program to help founders move from early-stage builds to market-ready products.
A Cross-Functional Mentor Network Built for Execution

The mentor cohort spans a wide range of disciplines critical to building and scaling successful game studios globally.

Key areas of expertise include:

• Game design & player experience
• PC, console, and mobile publishing
• Live-ops, retention, and analytics
• User acquisition, marketing, and growth
• Go-to-market strategy and positioning
• Game production, art, and audio
• Startup operations, pitching, and investment readiness

Mentors include Ankit Garg (Zombie Art School), Dr. Yaraslau Kot (University of Warsaw), Terry Lee (Fusebox), Claire Roazain (RZAIN), Dong Dong (NCSoft), Sophie Vo (Rise & Play), and Taha Tinwala (Gameramp), among others.

The network also brings in specialists such as Vivek Ramachandaran (Gameramp), Shashank Vandarangi (Gameramp), Mariusz Gasiewski (Google), Balaji Vijayan (formerly FRVR), Jia Ling Hoo (ID@Xbox), and Dilpesh Parmar (Investor & Advisor, multiple startups).

Further strengthening the ecosystem are experts including Charu Desodt (INT./Night), Nilesh Mange (Mother Grace Productions), Pratik Jaiswal (Sri Durga Arts), Per-Arne (Amplifier Game Invest), Federico Chichi (ROLI), Matthew Quek (Iterco), and Esteban Grellier (NAGA Publishing).

The mentor network is further supported by Gorkem (LUDUS Ventures), Kirill Akimkin (Polden Publishing), Sushant Kulkarni (24 Track Legends), Ravi Mantena and Deepak Gurijala (1312 Interactive), Anurag Choudhary (Felicity), Sadiq Ahamed (Lysto), Robert Huynh (Reforged Labs), and Imtiaz Hussain (formerly Yesgnome).

From Advice to Execution: Embedded Mentorship Model

Unlike traditional incubators, LVL Zero integrates mentors directly into the product development lifecycle. Each startup is paired with dedicated mentors aligned to their platform and stage, with access to a broader network for specialized inputs. Mentors actively participate in:

• Bi-weekly sprint reviews. 
• Product and design feedback loops. 
• QA & Playtesting data analysis & feedback. 
• Go-to-market and publishing strategy

This ensures that mentorship is not theoretical, but directly contributes to shipping better products within tight timelines.

Global Expertise, Local Execution

The mentor network includes operators and experts with experience across global gaming ecosystems, including platforms such as Xbox and leading international publishers.

By bringing this expertise to Indian founders, LVL Zero aims to bridge long-standing gaps in:

• Access to global publishing pathways
• Understanding of live-service and retention systems. 
• Go-to-market and distribution strategy
• Investor and capital readiness. 
• Aligned to a 100-Day Build–Test–Ship Framework

Mentors play a critical role across all phases of the program:

• Ignition (Days 1–15): Defining milestones, product vision, and execution roadmap
• Core Build (Days 16–70): Supporting rapid iteration, playtesting, and validation. 
• Market Readiness (Days 71–100): Preparing for launch, publishing, and investor engagement

By the end of the program, startups are expected to deliver playable builds, validated product loops, and investor/publisher-ready pitches, shaped through continuous mentor intervention.

Sagar Nair, Head of Incubation, LVL Zero said, “Access to capital is important, but what early-stage game studios in India have lacked most is access to real, hands-on expertise. With this mentor network, we are bringing in operators who have built, shipped, and scaled games globally, and embedding them directly into the founders’ journey. This isn’t advisory in isolation, it’s execution support at every step. Over the next 100 days, our focus is simply to help these teams build better products, faster, and prepare them to compete on a global stage.”

Building India’s Execution Layer for Gaming

With its mentor-led model, LVL Zero is positioning itself as more than just an incubator, acting as an execution layer for India’s gaming ecosystem.

As Indian studios increasingly aim to build globally competitive IP across PC, console, and mobile platforms, access to experienced operators across design, publishing, and growth is expected to be a key differentiator.

The mentor network reinforces LVL Zero’s core belief that the next generation of Indian game studios will not just be defined by ideas, but by their ability to execute, iterate, and s

LVL Zero Unveils First Cohort of 10 Gaming Startups

• Cohort spans PC, console, and mobile titles across genres, highlighting rising indie ambition, narrative storytelling, and global-first product thinking

LVL Zero, India’s first-of-its-kind gaming incubator backed by MIXI Global Investments, Nazara Technologies, and ChimeraVC, announced the selection of 10 startups for its inaugural cohort. Chosen from over 240 applications, the cohort represents a new generation of Indian game developers building for global audiences across PC, console, and mobile platforms.

Selected Startups

• Arckon Arts
• Impulse Mechanics
• Kalp Studio
• Kyrel Games
• Prescription Studios
• Rudrac Games
• Trojan Productions
• Wrought Studio
• Xigma Games
• YK Game Studio

Collectively, these startups reflect the evolving shape of India’s gaming ecosystem, with teams ranging from solo developers to studios of up to 5 team members, and projects across strategy, narrative, puzzle, simulation, and horror genres.

A New Generation of Indian Game Developers

LVL Zero's First Cohort Winners

The cohort highlights a clear shift in Indian game development from mobile-first, services-led work to original IP creation with global ambition. Eight out of the ten selected startups are building for PC and console platforms, signalling a growing push toward premium, high-production-value experiences.

Examples include Metal Haven by Xigma Games, a mid-core 4X strategy title, and Raahi by Kalp Studio, a culturally rooted slice-of-life experience set in a 1990s Goa-inspired town.

Narrative-driven titles such as PHi: The Broken Strings by Kyrel Games and Last Day Lockdown by Wrought Studio reflect a rising focus on emotionally resonant storytelling, while experimental concepts like Chiklet’s Human Products by YK Game Studio highlight unconventional survival mechanics.

(L-R) - Tomoharu Urabe, Managing Director of Investments at MIXI Global Investments, Inc., Deepak MV, Head of Strategy, Nazara 

Diverse Stages, Unified Ambition

• One live product already in the market
• Two titles in beta or soft-launch
• Five in alpha with playable builds or demos
• Early-stage and prototype products under active development

This diversity underscores LVL Zero’s focus on supporting startups across stages while addressing a critical industry gap, helping teams transition from early prototypes to market-ready products.

India’s Cultural Identity Meets Global Design

Several startups in the cohort are incorporating Indian themes, cultural elements, and storytelling into their games, not as a niche, but as a global differentiator. Titles like Raahi and Twin Flames draw from Indian settings, mythology, and philosophy to create experiences designed for international audiences.

Inside the 100-Day Incubation Program

Each selected startup will receive an equity-free grant of USD 10,000, along with access to LVL Zero’s structured 100-day incubation program.

• Ignition (Days 1–15): Define milestones, align with mentors, set execution goals
• Core Build (Days 16–70): Sprint-based development cycles focused on iteration, testing, validation
• Market Readiness (Days 71–100): Go-to-market planning, publisher outreach, investor readiness

Beyond Capital: Building for Scale

In addition to funding, LVL Zero provides:

• Dedicated mentorship from 28+ global industry experts
• Publisher access across PC, console, and mobile ecosystems
• QA and Global Playtesting support
• Investor readiness and fundraising guidance
• Ecosystem access across Nazara Technologies, MIXI Global Investments, and ChimeraVC networks

Industry Voices

Krish Anurag, Managing Partner at Chimera VC: “LVL Zero was built to address a structural gap in the ecosystem where access to capital, distribution, knowledge, and talent existed, but lacked integration. What we’re seeing with this inaugural cohort is a strong validation of that thesis.”

Deepak MV, Head of Strategy, Nazara Technologies: “What’s exciting about this cohort is the clear shift toward original IP and global product thinking. Indian developers are increasingly moving beyond building for just the domestic market.”

Tomoharu Urabe, Managing Director of Investments at MIXI Global Investments: “This cohort represents a new generation of Indian founders who are ready to think and build beyond geographical boundaries. The diversity of ideas and emphasis on design and storytelling is encouraging.”

Strengthening India’s Position in Global Game Development

With its inaugural cohort, LVL Zero aims to play a catalytic role in shaping India’s next generation of game studios, building original IP and competing in global markets from day one.

About LVL Zero

LVL Zero is a first-of-its-kind gaming incubator created by ChimeraVC in partnership with MIXI Global Investments and Nazara Technologies. Headquartered in Bangalore, LVL Zero supports early-stage gaming startups through equity-free grants, mentorship, and access to publishing, distribution, and investor networks.

About MIXI Global Investments, Inc.

MIXI Global Investments (MGI) is the corporate venture capital arm of MIXI, Inc., based in Tokyo and known for its popular mobile game IPs and community-focused live operations.

About Nazara Technologies

Nazara Technologies is India’s only publicly listed gaming company, with businesses across Blue Tile, Curve Games, Kiddopia, Animal Jam, Fusebox Games, World Cricket Championship, Sportskeeda, and more. Website: www.nazara.com

About Chimera VC

ChimeraVC is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on India’s gaming and interactive entertainment ecosystem, backing founders in gaming, tools, and infrastructure.

India’s First Gaming Incubator LVL Zero Receives 240+ Startup Applications

LVL Zero, India’s first-of-its-kind gaming incubator backed by MIXI Global Investments, Nazara Technologies, and Chimera VC, today announced that it has received more than 240 applications for its inaugural cohort, offering a unique snapshot of India’s emerging early-stage gaming startup ecosystem.

The applications span a diverse range of game studios and gaming ecosystem startups, reflecting a new wave of micro-studio formation, growing platform ambition, and a shift toward globally competitive product thinking among Indian founders. The cohort, which opened applications on January 26, attracted teams building across mobile, PC, console, and gaming infrastructure products.

A significant trend emerging from the applicant pool is the formation of small, early-stage studios, with nearly 46.9% of applicants founded in 2025 and 66.8% established in 2024 or later, highlighting a recent surge of new teams entering the industry. The majority of applicants are micro-teams with a median team size of three to four members, signalling a new generation of founders leveraging modern development tools, engines, and AI to build products with smaller teams.

From a development stage perspective, nearly half of the applicants (46.9%) are currently at the prototype stage, while 19.5% are in alpha, 11.2% in beta, and 11.6% already have live products in the market. This reflects a strong early-stage pipeline where founders are experimenting with ideas and beginning to translate prototypes into scalable products.

PC and Console Ambition on the Rise

The application data also highlights a clear trend toward premium platform ambitions among Indian studios. Around 58.5% of applicants are building for PC, while 36.1% are targeting console platforms, indicating a growing push toward higher-production-value titles alongside mobile gaming.

However, the data also reveals a practical reality: mobile-first studios continue to demonstrate higher shipping velocity, with approximately 25% of mobile-only teams already having live products, compared to significantly lower live rates among PC and console-focused teams. This reflects the faster iteration cycles and monetisation pathways available on mobile platforms.

Live-Service and Data-Driven Design Becoming Core

Even among early-stage teams, the applications show that founders are increasingly designing games with retention, analytics, and live-operations frameworks in mind. Over 30% of applicants referenced live-ops systems, retention metrics, or user acquisition strategies, signalling a shift in how Indian founders approach product architecture from the earliest stages.

Rather than building a game first and optimising later, many startups are embedding monetisation, engagement loops, and player analytics into the product design process itself.

AI Integration Becoming Standard Practice

The applicant pool also demonstrates early and widespread adoption of AI technologies within game development pipelines. Approximately 22.8% of applicants referenced AI, machine learning, or generative systems within their products or infrastructure stacks.

Among gaming infrastructure startups specifically, roughly half referenced AI-driven solutions, focusing on areas such as player analytics, personalisation, growth automation, and retention modelling. This suggests that many early-stage Indian founders view AI as a competitive advantage in building scalable gaming products.

Cultural IP Emerging as a Global Opportunity

Another notable trend is the rise of games inspired by Indian mythology, folklore, and cultural narratives. About 36% of applications referenced Indian themes or cultural storytelling, with the majority of these projects targeting PC and console platforms rather than mobile.

This indicates a growing ambition among developers to create premium narrative-driven experiences rooted in Indian culture, aimed at global audiences rather than purely local markets.

Emerging Gaming Startup Hubs Across India

The applications also highlight the geographic spread of India’s gaming startup ecosystem. The top applicant cities include Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, and Delhi NCR, together accounting for nearly half of the applicant pool.

Among live products, the highest concentration of teams comes from Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, reflecting the presence of established gaming talent pools and industry infrastructure in these regions.

Commenting on the application trends, Sagar Nair, Head of Incubation at LVL Zero, said: “What the applicant pool shows clearly is that India’s gaming ecosystem is entering a new formation phase. We are seeing a surge of small, ambitious studios building across multiple platforms, experimenting with new technologies, and thinking about global audiences from day one. The challenge now is not creativity or ambition, it is execution. The next generation of Indian studios will be defined by how effectively they convert strong prototypes into scalable products, and that is exactly the gap LVL Zero is designed to address.”

LVL Zero’s inaugural cohort will select 10 startups, each receiving an equity-free grant of USD 10,000, along with access to a 100-day execution-first sprint designed to accelerate product development, validation, and market readiness. Through structured milestones, mentorship, and ecosystem support, the program aims to help founders move from early-stage prototypes to playable, market-ready products while preparing them for publisher partnerships, global distribution, and investor engagement.

Over the next five years, LVL Zero aims to support more than 100 gaming and interactive startups, strengthening India’s position as one of the most promising emerging hubs for global game development.

About LVL Zero:

LVL Zero is a first-of-its-kind gaming incubator created by ChimeraVC in partnership with MIXI Global Investments and Nazara Technologies. Announced in 2025 and headquartered in Bangalore, LVL Zero supports early-stage gaming startups across games, platforms, and game tech through an equity-free grant pool of USD 100,000, hands-on mentorship, and access to publishing, distribution, and investor networks. Each cohort selects 10 startups, each receiving USD 10,000 to accelerate product development over a 100-day execution-first sprint. Focused exclusively on the gaming ecosystem, LVL Zero aims to empower over 100 startups in the next five years and build a pipeline of Indian gaming founders ready to launch globally competitive products.

About MIXI Global Investments, Inc.:

MIXI Global Investments (MGI) is the corporate venture capital arm of MIXI, Inc., based in Tokyo and known for its popular mobile game IPs and community-focused live operations. It brings global expertise and networks to help Indian startups engage with international markets and partners.

About Nazara Technologies:

Nazara Technologies is India’s only publicly listed gaming company. Its key businesses include Blue Tile, Curve Games, Kiddopia, Animal Jam, Fusebox Games (Love Island, Big Brother, Bigg Boss), World Cricket Championship and Sportskeeda, along with offline gaming businesses such as Funky Monkeys and Smaaash Entertainment. Nazara also operates Datawrkz, a digital ad tech business. With presence in India, North America, Europe and other global markets, Nazara is building a global gaming platform with strong IP, publishing, and operating capabilities. Website: https://www.nazara.com/

About Chimera VC:

ChimeraVC is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on India’s gaming and interactive entertainment ecosystem. As a first-check investor, Chimera backs founders building in gaming, tools, and infrastructure, while providing strategic support through its deep industry network and ecosystem-led initiatives.