The fund aims to focus on Turkey’s growing status as a global hub for gaming and interactive entertainment. Laton Ventures wants to connect Turkish and global gaming ecosystems by not only investing in Turkey but also globally. Görkem Türk, founding partner of Laton Ventures, stated in an interview with GamesBeat that the fund aims to become a vital link between these ecosystems.
Laton Ventures plans to be agnostic towards different gaming platforms and content categories, although it does have a strong background in mobile gaming. Türk mentioned that while the fund will invest in all types of content, it may lean more towards mobile content. Additionally, Laton Ventures will also invest in non-content areas like infrastructure and technology related to gaming.
One of Laton Ventures’ key strategies is to provide operational advisory to its portfolio companies. This includes support in areas such as user acquisition, game design, development, and analytics. The fund has a team with hands-on experience in these fields, as well as an industry-veteran advisor team and an extensive network to support portfolio companies.
Laton Ventures primarily focuses on pre-seed and seed stages, seeking out startups with industry-leading talent, a strong vision, and the potential to scale into massive companies. The fund has already invested in five companies in the past six months, including two in Turkey, two in Europe, and one in the U.S. These investments have been highly competitive, with Laton Ventures securing allocations even when globally leading funds were unable to do so.
The founders of Laton Ventures bring together a mix of gaming industry highflyers with proven track records and seasoned investors. Görkem Türk, the former gaming and startups industry manager at Google, leads the fund. His expertise in partnering with gaming founders and extensive industry network are crucial to Laton’s mission. The fund is also backed by over 20 prominent figures in the gaming and technology industries.
Notably, Laton Ventures has received investment from Supercell, the creator of popular games like Clash of Clans and Clash Royale. It has also secured investment from major financial institutions, including the 100th Year venture capital arm of Turkey’s largest private bank, İşBank.
Türk believes that the gaming industry is entering a new era of entertainment experiences, with an increasing number of players globally. He sees great potential in supporting the best teams looking to tap into this opportunity with innovative approaches and strong execution. Türk also believes that the current downturn in the industry has led to more realistic valuations for startups, making it a healthier environment for investment.
The establishment of Laton Ventures represents an exciting development in the gaming industry, particularly in Turkey. With its focus on operational advisory and a diverse investment strategy, Laton Ventures aims to become a trusted partner for gaming founders and fellow investors alike. The fund’s successful investments and partnerships with leading figures in the industry demonstrate its potential to make a significant impact in the global gaming ecosystem.
