Laton Ventures Raises $35M to Bolster Turkish Gaming Market

Laton Ventures has officially entered the investment landscape with a $35 million fund dedicated exclusively to the gaming sector. The firm, led by solo GP and founding partner Görkem Türk, aims to act as a strategic link between the rapidly expanding Turkish gaming scene and the broader international market.

The fund, which is legally domiciled in the Netherlands, focuses on providing capital to startups at the pre-seed and seed stages. Despite being a new player, Laton Ventures arrives in a market that has already proven its vitality; between 2018 and 2022, local gaming startups secured over $1 billion in funding.

A Hub for Mobile Gaming

Turkey’s emergence as a powerhouse for mobile games is driven by a unique demographic profile. With a population of 86 million, more than 48% of citizens are under the age of 30. This tech-savvy demographic has fueled a culture of high engagement, where over 92% of internet users play games, significantly outpacing the global average of 82%. This environment has nurtured the creation of more than 740 gaming startups.

While the region is currently home to at least 25 venture capital funds that include video game investments in their portfolios, most of these firms diversify their interests across broader technology sectors. Laton Ventures intends to differentiate itself through specialized operational focus.

Operational Strategy and Backing

Görkem Türk, a former industry manager for gaming and startups at Google, emphasizes that the firm’s competitive edge lies in the expertise of its backers. Laton is supported by a network of over 20 exited founders, providing the fund with deep industry insights.

According to Türk, the firm’s value proposition includes:

• Operational Advisory: Deep support in user acquisition, cohort analysis, and game design.
• Global Connectivity: Serving as a bridge between the local Turkish ecosystem and international gaming markets.
• Strategic Mentorship: Leveraging a veteran network to guide portfolio companies through development.

The firm’s Limited Partners (LPs) feature prominent industry figures, including Gram Games co-founder Mehmet Ecevit, Loop Games founder Mert Gür, Ruby Games founder Mert Can Kurum, Hummingbird Ventures managing partner Fırat İleri, Yemeksepeti founder Nevzat Aydın, and Gossamer founder Eric Kress.

Laton Ventures has already begun deploying capital, having invested in five companies over the last six months—two based in Turkey, two in Europe, and one in the United States.