LVL ZERO, a gaming incubator backed by MIXI Global Investments, Nazara Technologies and Chimera VC, has announced that applications for its inaugural cohort will open on 26 January and close on 26 February.
Open exclusively to Indian companies, the incubator aims to accelerate the country’s gaming startup ecosystem by combining global expertise, equity-free capital and a structured, sprint-led program designed to help founders build and scale more efficiently.
The first cohort will select 10 startups, each of which will receive a USD 10,000 equity-free grant, creating a total funding pool of USD 100,000. The program is open to startups working across mid-core game studios, gaming infrastructure, AI-native tools and growth platforms. Over a 100-day period, participating teams will be supported in fast-tracking product development, accessing tailored mentorship, refining business and monetisation strategies, and becoming investor and publisher ready.
The program is structured across three phases:
* Days 1-15 (Ignition phase): Teams define their vision, establish team structures and set clear OKRs to ensure alignment before intensive product development begins.
* Days 16-70 (Core Build phase): Startups focus on building, testing and iterating early product versions, supported by community testing, simulations and continuous feedback loops aimed at early validation and launches.
* Days 71-100 (Orbit Ready phase): The final phase centres on sharpening go-to-market strategies, business models, storytelling and pitch preparation to ensure readiness for publishers, partners and investors.
LVL Zero has assembled a mentor network of more than 10 global and national experts from across the gaming ecosystem, who will provide hands-on guidance on strategy, execution and go-to-market planning. The cohort will also collaborate with partner brands spanning playtesting, quality assurance, cloud services, attribution, market intelligence and related sectors, offering founders exposure to cross-industry insights and opportunities. Startups interested in joining the first LVL Zero cohort can apply at www.lvlzero.xyz
Chimera VC managing partner Krish Anurag said, “The launch of our first cohort is a defining moment because it finally gives early-stage Indian gaming founders a space built specifically for the challenges they face and the support they need to scale intelligently. With the backing of our partners, LVL Zero is introducing a structured framework for how young studios in India can approach design, production, monetisation, and long-term live ops from day one. What excites us is that this cohort will help shape the benchmark for what an India-born, globally-ready gaming company should look like. The 100-day journey ensures teams validate quickly, build with sharper intent, and make decisions driven by data rather than instinct. Our vision is that this program becomes a launchpad for studios that not only publish strong products, but build a repeatable model of creative excellence and sustainable growth.”
Nazara Technologies joint MD & CEO Nitish Mittersain shared, “India has no shortage of gaming talent, but the journey from a strong prototype to a scalable, globally viable business is still fragmented. Through LVL Zero, we want to help founders close that gap by giving them early exposure to how successful gaming companies are built, operated, and sustained over time. This first cohort represents an important step in creating a stronger foundation for Indian studios that prioritises execution, live operations, and long-term value creation rather than short-term launches.”
MIXI Global Investments managing director of investments Tomoharu Urabe added, “LVL Zero is all about ecosystem building. By combining equity-free support with a structured 100-day execution model, the program provides a clear and practical framework for early-stage gaming companies in India as they form, develop their ideas, and prepare to scale. Over time, the program helps build stronger linkages between Indian studios and the global gaming ecosystem.”
