MIXI Global Investments, Nazara Technologies, and ChimeraVC have come together to launch LVL Zero an industry-first gaming incubator designed to empower early-stage Indian gaming startups. The program, supported by Google Play as the Knowledge Partner, aims to fast-track product execution, provide focused mentorship, and prepare startups for investor and publisher readiness within a 100-day framework.

According to a press release, LVL Zero will offer an equity-free grant pool of USD 100,000, helping startups bridge the critical gap between idea and execution. As per the India Gaming Report 2025, the country currently has over 16.63 crore gamers, a number expected to touch 24.68 crore by 2027. However, only a few of the growing startups have managed to scale globally or sustain long-term growth. LVL Zero seeks to change this narrative by nurturing talent and equipping developers with the tools, mentorship, and ecosystem support needed to thrive on an international scale.

The incubator will help startups progress from concept to investor and publisher readiness in just 100 days through a structured mentorship model and measurable outcomes. Each participating startup will receive a USD 10,000 equity-free grant, guided mentorship across critical areas such as game design, development, analytics, monetisation, and live operations. The program culminates in a Demo Day, where startups will pitch their products to a panel of global investors, publishers, and strategic partners for funding and distribution opportunities.

Speaking about the initiative, Krish Anurag, Managing Partner at ChimeraVC, said, “With Chimera, we’ve always worked with founders at Level 1 — the seed stage where conviction meets capital. LVL Zero allows us to start even earlier, at the stage where belief forms before traction and ideas are still taking shape. Most founders meet investors once they have momentum; LVL Zero lets them meet conviction first. It completes the loop for us, helping founders start earlier, think globally, and build more sustainably.”

Adding to this, Nitish Mittersain, Joint MD & CEO of Nazara Technologies, noted, “At Nazara, we have always believed that India’s gaming story will be written by its startups. With LVL Zero, we are helping turn ambition into execution. This collaboration allows us to bring publishing experience, analytics insights, and go-to-market knowledge directly to developers who are ready to take the next leap. The future of gaming in India will depend on how well we empower startups to build and own their success stories.”

From Tokyo, Tomoharu Urabe, Managing Director of Investments at MIXI Global Investments, shared, “We’ve been impressed by the energy and creativity of India’s game developer community. Through LVL Zero, we aim not only to invest but also to contribute to the country’s broader ecosystem — supporting emerging talent and building a lasting bridge between Japan and India’s gaming industries.”

As Knowledge Partner, Google Play will provide valuable insights and technical mentorship to participating teams, including guidance on user engagement, monetisation, and developer best practices. The collaboration ensures that startups gain exposure to global standards of quality and performance while refining their own creative strengths.

With India’s gaming industry rapidly expanding and new-age developers emerging across the country, LVL Zero arrives at an opportune moment. By focusing on execution, mentorship, and ecosystem access, the incubator is set to support over 100 high-performing startups in the next five years. It represents a unified vision to help Indian gaming talent compete on a global stage fostering innovation, sustainability, and long-term growth in the country’s interactive entertainment industry.