Laton Ventures, a newly established gaming venture capital (VC) fund based in Turkiye, has officially announced its launch with a substantial $35 million investment aimed at supporting game companies worldwide. In the wake of recent layoffs and uncertainties within the gaming industry, the emergence of Laton Ventures signifies a beacon of hope, demonstrating confidence in the future of AI and web3 in gaming.

New $35 Million VC Fund

With a keen eye on the evolving web3 gaming landscape and a commitment to nurturing Turkey's growing prominence as a global gaming hub, Laton Ventures aims to bridge the gap between Turkish and global gaming ecosystems. In an interview, Görkem Türk, founding partner of Laton Ventures, emphasized the fund's dedication to investing not only in Turkey but also on a global scale, with a particular focus on mobile gaming.

"We're going to be quite agnostic toward the content category. We will invest in mobile, PC, and console," Türk stated. "Our background is coming from mobile. So we will always acknowledge that. We will be investing in everything, but probably we will lean towards mobile content much more."

Highly Competitive Deals

Laton Ventures distinguishes itself by providing operational advisory services to its portfolio companies, offering support in areas such as user acquisition, game design, development, and analytics. Leveraging the expertise of its team and industry-veteran advisors, the fund aims to be a trusted partner for founders, reducing execution risks and facilitating access to highly competitive deals.

Focused primarily on pre-seed and seed stages, Laton Ventures seeks out startups with exceptional talent, vision, and execution capabilities. Türk highlighted the fund's success in securing allocations in sought-after deals, positioning Laton as a significant player in the web3 and AI gaming investment landscape.

5 Companies in 6 Months

The fund has already invested in five companies over the past six months, with a diverse portfolio spanning Turkey, Europe, and the United States. Their portfolio includes Pine Games, Sequel Games, and Layer AI - to name a few. Notable investors include prominent figures from the gaming and technology industries, as well as financial institutions such as the 100th Year venture capital arm of İşBank, Turkey's largest private bank.

Türk expressed optimism about the future of the gaming industry, citing the growing number of players worldwide and the abundance of opportunities in gaming. He noted that despite the challenges faced by startups, valuations are now more balanced, offering a healthier environment for investment.

Final Thoughts

The launch of Laton Ventures represents a significant milestone in the gaming investment landscape, signaling Turkiye's emergence as a global player in the industry. With its strategic focus, operational expertise, and strong investor backing, Laton Ventures is poised to make a meaningful impact on the gaming ecosystem, supporting innovative startups and driving growth in the years to come.