Istanbul’s Grand Games raises $70M Series B as Balderton backs Turkey’s puzzle games
▼ Summary
– Istanbul-based mobile gaming studio Grand Games raised a $70m Series B, bringing its total funding to $103m.
– The round was backed by Bek Ventures, Laton Ventures, and angel investor Mert Gür, with Balderton doubling down.
– Grand Games is known for puzzle titles Magic Sort and Car Match.
– The funding follows recent major deals in the gaming sector, including Scopely’s $1bn buyout of Loom Games and CVC’s $5bn deal for Dream Games.
– The studio is two years old and based in Turkey, focusing on the mobile puzzle game market.
Istanbul’s mobile gaming scene is heating up fast. Grand Games Oyun ve Yazılım, the studio behind hit puzzle titles Magic Sort and Car Match, has just closed a $70 million Series B round. This fresh injection of capital brings the two-year-old company’s total funding to an impressive $103 million.
The round was led by Balderton Capital, with strong support from returning backers Bek Ventures, Laton Ventures, and prominent angel investor Mert Gür. The timing is no coincidence. This deal lands just weeks after Scopely snapped up Loom Games for $1 billion and CVC secured Dream Games in a massive $5 billion transaction. Together, these moves signal a powerful wave of investor confidence in Turkey’s growing puzzle game ecosystem.
Grand Games has carved out a niche by blending simple, satisfying mechanics with polished mobile design. The studio’s rapid ascent reflects a broader trend: international venture capital is increasingly looking to Istanbul as a hub for high-margin, ad-driven gaming studios. With this new capital, the company is well positioned to scale its portfolio, attract top talent, and double down on user acquisition.
In a market where attention is the ultimate currency, Grand Games appears to have unlocked the right formula. And with Balderton now firmly in its corner, the studio’s next chapter could be its most ambitious yet.
(Source: The Next Web)