Blue Ocean Games debuts $30 M fund to back indie devs, eyes untapped Indian talent
The Toronto-headquartered fund, founded by Damian Lee, former Head of Investments at KRAFTON, aims to support up to 100 developers over the next three years.
Blue Ocean Games, a newly launched early-stage venture firm backed by KRAFTON, has announced a $30 million fund to support indie game developers globally, with an initial focus on India’s emerging talent pool.
The Toronto-headquartered fund, founded by Damian Lee, former Head of Investments at KRAFTON, aims to support up to 100 developers over the next three years. The initiative will provide capital and operational support to creators at the concept stage, with particular interest in India’s fast-growing game development ecosystem.
The fund will deploy its capital using a proprietary instrument called SAIL (Structured Agreement for Indie Launch), which blends early-stage funding, milestone-based disbursement, and a hybrid equity-revenue share model. Each developer can receive up to $100,000 individually, or $300,000 per team, over two years. Developers will retain full ownership of their intellectual property.
“There is a structural problem in the indie game industry worldwide where the gap between what investors fund, what developers dream of creating, and what players crave has grown too wide,” said Lee, who now serves as Blue Ocean Games' Managing Partner.
“We want to provide accessible pathways for developers of all backgrounds, whether they are self-taught creators with a unique vision, or small teams making their first or second game," he added.
The fund also offers infrastructure support including incorporation assistance, bookkeeping, and mentorship, with developers organised into cohorts to foster collaboration.
While global in scope, Blue Ocean Games is placing a specific emphasis on Indian talent. “We are particularly excited about the immense creative potential and innovative concepts emerging from India, which possess both local relevance and global appeal,” Lee added.
KRAFTON India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn echoed this sentiment: “India is a powerhouse of creativity and technical skill, yet many brilliant ideas struggle to find early support. Blue Ocean Games introduces a forward-thinking investment model that gives indie developers critical financial backing at the earliest stages.”
To further fuel discovery and inclusion, the firm will launch Rising Tide, a global series of online competitions and challenges for game developers. The first edition will roll out on May 1, 2025, in partnership with Global Game Jam.
Edited by Affirunisa Kankudti