Question 1

What does Lorien offer?

Accepted Answer

Lorien Accelerator program gives you:
12-week accelerator program built exclusively for game studios and gametech startups
20+ masterclasses and workshops covering fundraising, publishing, legal, AI, growth, monetization, pricing, and business strategy
50+ global mentors, founders, investors, publishers, and industry experts from leading gaming and technology companies
$100,000+ in partner perks and credits from Microsoft, AWS, Heroic Labs, fal.ai, and more
1:1 hands-on support tailored to your studio’s unique challenges and goals
A highly selective founder community with an acceptance rate below 2.3%
Showcase opportunities at major industry events including Gaming Istanbul and WN Conference
Direct access to investors, publishers, platform partners, and industry leaders
Ongoing support through the Lorien alumni network long after the program ends

We’re not generalist startup advisors. 
We’re gaming founders, operators, and ecosystem builders who understand the unique challenges of building, funding, launching, and scaling game companies.

Question 2

Do you take equity?

Accepted Answer

No Equity Up Front.

We don’t take equity simply for joining the program.
Instead, we work with each company to define a tailored agreement and a set of meaningful success milestones. Only if those milestones are achieved after the program do we earn up to 5% equity.

If we don’t create value, we don’t expect ownership.
No board seats. No hidden fees. No long-term obligations.
We’re here to earn our stake by helping founders succeed, not by taking equity on day one.

And if things click, we’ll continue supporting your journey long after the program ends, from fundraising and publishing to strategic growth and M&A industry connections.

Question 3

What kind of support & perks do I get?

Accepted Answer

In addition to hands-on support across fundraising, publishing, legal, AI, growth, monetization, and business strategy, Lorien founders gain access to a growing ecosystem of partner benefits and startup perks valued at over $100,000.

Our partner ecosystem includes leading companies such as Microsoft for Startups, AWS, Heroic Labs, fal.ai, Xsolla, and other trusted organizations supporting game studios and technology startups worldwide.

Benefits include:
Cloud credits and infrastructure support
AI tools and development resources
Game backend, analytics, and live operations solutions
Publishing, monetization, and go-to-market support
Legal resources, templates, and startup documentation
Founder perks, software discounts, and exclusive partner offers
Special access to industry events, showcases, and ecosystem opportunities

We carefully curate every partnership to ensure founders receive practical value, meaningful opportunities, and access to tools that can genuinely accelerate their growth.

Question 4

Does Lorien help with fundraising?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Fundraising is baked into the program. For 12 weeks, we exclusively focus on:

Creating a solid business structure that includes a proper pitch deck, data room, financials, legal structure, and a strong narrative that will empower your company for funding
Help you understand investors' perspectives and learn how to tell your story with confidence and clarity.
Make introductions to investors who understand games.
Help you present well at our Demo Day to a selected global 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.

Question 5

When does the program run?

Accepted Answer

We run 2 cohorts per year. Each one lasts 12 weeks. Applications are always open, and rolling applications are considered for the next available batch.

The Spring 2026 (S26) cohort runs from May 2026 to July 2026.
The Winter 2026 (W26) cohort will roughly run from October 2026 to December 2026.

Question 6

What kinds of companies does Lorien accept to the program?

Accepted Answer

We back founders building across:
Games – new IPs, playable prototypes, breakout indies who build for mobile, PC, console, and XR.
Gametech – tools, engines, infra, dev platforms, creator tech, and AI solutions. 
Social & Ecosystem Games – multiplayer, UGC, economies, 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.

Question 7

How selective is the program?

Accepted Answer

We’re highly selective and founder-first. According to our 1st batch data, only 2.3% of applications were accepted into the S25 cohort.

Lorien works with small, focused cohorts (~5 companies / 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 and help you have: clarity, iteration, and momentum.

Question 8

Where is Lorien based?

Accepted Answer

We’re based in Istanbul, but our reach is global.

The program is 90% online with optional in-person sessions, partner events, and workspaces in Istanbul.

We work async when needed, we respect dev time, and we support founders wherever they are.

Question 9

Do you only support game studios?

Accepted Answer

We back founders building the future of games, not just content, but the systems behind it.

Lorien empowers game studios, gaming platforms, and gametech startups.

We believe the next wave of iconic companies won’t stop at making great games. They’ll power new engines, infrastructure, tools, creator platforms, and multiplayer ecosystems.

Games are a huge part of a global entertainment and social stack, and we support founders building across that stack.

We prioritize service-driven, scalable game businesses over one-off products. Whether you’re building the next breakout title or the tools others will build on, we’re happy to help you scale.

Question 10

Do I need a prototype?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Do I need to be full-time?

Accepted Answer

We strongly suggest 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.

Question 12

Do I need to be a first-time founder?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

Do I need to be based in Türkiye?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 14

I’ve already raised some funding. Can I still apply?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

What happens after the 12 weeks?

Accepted Answer

Graduating from the program is just the beginning.

You become part of the Lorien alumni network, a global group of builders, dreamers, and doers shaping the future of games. You’ll keep access to our communication channels, mentors, warm intros, resources, and our full support whenever you need.

Fundraising? Hiring? Launching? Pivoting? We’ll be there.

Once you’re in, you’re in. We back our founders for the long haul.

FAQ