LVL Zero, a gaming-focused incubator backed by MIXI Global Investments, Nazara Technologies and Chimera VC, has announced that applications for its inaugural cohort will open on January 26, 2026, and close on February 26, 2026. The cohort is open exclusively to Indian gaming startups.
The first-of-its-kind incubator will select 10 startups, with each receiving an equity-free grant of USD 10,000, taking the total grant pool to USD 100,000. The 100-day, sprint-based program is designed to fast-track product development, market readiness and growth for early-stage gaming companies.
The program is open to startups building mid-core game studios, gaming infrastructure, AI-native tools and gaming growth platforms. Selected teams will receive structured mentorship, support on product execution, monetisation strategy and go-to-market planning, along with access to industry experts and ecosystem partners.
LVL Zero has onboarded more than 10 mentors from India and overseas across the global gaming ecosystem. Startups will also collaborate with partners across playtesting, quality assurance, cloud services, attribution and market intelligence.
The 100-day program is structured across three phases: an initial ignition phase focused on vision-setting and alignment; a core build phase centred on product development, testing and iteration; and a final phase dedicated to refining business models, go-to-market strategies and investor pitches.
The program will conclude with a Demo Day, where participating startups will present to venture capital firms, angel investors, publishers and industry partners. Post-incubation support will also be provided to help founders sustain momentum beyond the program.
According to industry estimates, India is expected to cross 500 million gamers in 2025, with player spending projected to exceed USD 1 billion, highlighting the growing opportunity for scalable gaming ventures.
LVL Zero aims to support over 100 gaming and interactive startups over the next five years, helping Indian studios build globally competitive and sustainable businesses.