Lorien gives you: 12 weeks of a program tailored for gaming startups Access to world-class mentors—studio heads, experienced gaming professionals, successful game entrepreneurs, platform operators, investors, and more Hands-on support across product, legal, game development, publishing, company management, hiring, and fundraising A community of founders building and learning alongside you Demo Day in front of top-tier VCs, publishers, and industry leaders We’re not here to give you generic startup advice. We’re here to be your early believers—honest, hands-on, and in it with you.

We’re based in Istanbul, but our reach is global. The program is hybrid: mostly remote, with optional in-person sessions, events, and community in Istanbul. We work async when needed, we respect dev time, and we support founders wherever they are.

We run two cohorts per year. Each one lasts 12 weeks. Applications are always open, and rolling applications are considered for the next available batch. The Spring 2025 (S25) cohort runs from April to June. If you missed it, you may apply today for Fall 2025 (roughly starts in October).

No equity up front— We take 5% equity, only if you hit the success metrics after the program. If things don’t click, we part ways with zero strings attached. If they do, we’re here to support you during and after the program, along with your long, wild raid. No board seat. No hidden fees. We’re here to earn our stake—not just take it.

We back founders building across: Games – new IPs, playable prototypes, weird experiments, breakout indies Gametech – tools, engines, infra, dev platforms, creator tech, AI Studios – building sustainably for PC, console, XR, and web3. Social & ecosystem plays – multiplayer, UGC, economies, fandom platforms We don’t care if you’re making a game, making it easier to make games, or rethinking how games are played and enjoyed. If it touches the gaming stack, we’re in.

In addition to mentorship in areas ranging from legal, game development, publishing, monetization, company management, and fundraising, Lorien founders get access to startup perks and partner benefits, including: Cloud credits (like AWS, Microsoft Founders Hub & more.) Dev and design tools Game engines and platform perks Legal templates and startup docs Discounted or free software from partners we trust We keep things lean but powerful—so you get the right stack without the bloat.

Absolutely. Fundraising is baked into the program. You'll create a strong game business structure that is eligible for funding. You’ll understand investors' perspectives and learn how to tell your story with confidence and clarity. You’ll meet investors who understand games. You’ll present at our Demo Day to a curated group of VCs and publishers. We’ll advise you on the best legal structure for your company, navigate deals, terms, and follow-on strategy. Our goal is not just to help you raise—it’s to help you raise well.

Nope. We empower studios, game, and gametech startups. We believe the next wave of iconic game companies won’t just be content—they’ll be infrastructure, tools, engines, creator platforms, and multiplayer systems. Games are a part of a huge entertainment ecosystem; they are a product and a platform. We support both sides.

We’re highly selective—and founder-first. Lorien works with small, focused cohorts (up to 10 companies per batch), so we can go deep with each team. We set clear KPIs and work hands-on to help you grow fast and raise smart. There aren’t many programs like us in the world, and we’re intentional about who we back. If you have a working prototype, playable demo, player traction, or early growth signals, that puts you in a strong position. We’re here to find the builders shaping the next wave of gaming. What we look for: clarity, ambition, and momentum.

Yes. Lorien is built to help founders solve early growth challenges and structure their companies for scale—so we strongly recommend having a prototype, early build, or alpha-ready version when you apply. We work best with teams who are already building and ready to move fast. We’re here to help you sharpen, ship, and scale—not start from scratch.

We strongly prefer it. Building a game company takes time, focus, and a lot of love. If you’re not full-time yet, we want to see a plan to get there. The program moves fast—and so should you.

Not at all. We welcome both first-time and experienced founders. What matters most is your commitment, vision, and the potential of your project.

Nope. We’re based in Istanbul but have mentors & partners around the world, and we work with founders globally. The program is hybrid, and remote-friendly by design.

Absolutely. If you’re early-stage and building toward something bigger, we can help you sharpen your strategy, extend your runway, and prep for your next round.

Graduating the program is just the beginning. You become part of the Lorien founder network—a group of builders, dreamers, and doers shaping the future of games. You’ll keep access to mentors, warm intros, resources, and our full support whenever you hit your next milestone. Fundraising? Hiring? Launching? Pivoting? We’ll be there. Once you’re in, you’re in. We back our founders for the long haul.