Gaming Studio Mindtail Secures $2M Pre-Seed for AI Gaming Push

Turkish mobile game studio Mindtail has raised $2 million in a pre-seed funding round, marking an early step in its plan to build AI-driven games for a global audience. The round was led by APY Ventures, with participation from Inveo Ventures and Ak Portfoy.

The company intends to use the funding to expand its team, invest in its AI-based production systems, and strengthen its testing capabilities in marketing and game development. In the near term, Mindtail plans to significantly grow its workforce as it prepares to launch its first title, which is expected to be announced soon.

Founded by R. Tamer Özgen, Umut Yıldız, Sarper Karabağ, and Doğuşcan Öztürk, Mindtail is focused on developing hybrid casual puzzle games using an AI-native production model. The founding team brings experience from well-known studios such as Dream Games, King, Tactile Games, Ace Games, and Codeway. Their work has contributed to widely played titles including Royal Match, Candy Crush Soda Saga, and Lily's Garden, which have collectively reached hundreds of millions of users.

Investors point to the team’s background and approach as key strengths. Mustafa Keçeli of APY Ventures highlighted Mindtail’s focus on treating game development not only as a creative process but also as a discipline shaped by efficiency, timing, and production structure. He noted that embedding AI into development from the outset could help the studio move faster and reduce the risks typically associated with hit-driven gaming categories.

What Are Investors Saying About Mindtail’s Potential?

Investors emphasized two primary factors:

1. Execution Capability: A founding team with proven success in building globally scalable titles
2. AI Integration: A forward-looking approach that reduces traditional gaming risks

Mustafa Keçeli of APY Ventures highlighted that embedding AI early could increase production speed while mitigating the volatility of hit-driven gaming categories, where only 1–2% of games typically achieve breakout success.

Backers from Inveo Ventures and Ak Portföy GSYF reinforced that rapid iteration and adaptability are now critical in a market where user preferences shift quickly.

For Mindtail, the funding represents more than early capital. According to CEO Özgen, it reflects years of collective experience and a shared ambition to build a new standard in hybrid casual games—combining large-scale player insights with a more data-driven, AI-led way of creating games.

What’s Next for Mindtail?

Mindtail is preparing to:

• Launch its first hybrid casual puzzle game (expected announcement in 2026)
• Scale its team significantly ahead of product release
• Refine its AI-driven production model through live testing environments

According to CEO Özgen, the funding represents not just capital, but a validation of years of collective expertise and a shared ambition to redefine hybrid casual gaming through data and AI.

 

 

FAQ

1. What is Mindtail?
Mindtail is a Turkish mobile gaming startup founded in 2026, focused on developing AI-driven hybrid casual puzzle games for global audiences.

2. How much funding did Mindtail raise?
Mindtail raised $2 million in a pre-seed round led by APY Ventures, with participation from Inveo Ventures and Ak Portföy GSYF.

3. What makes Mindtail different from other game studios?
Mindtail uses an AI-native production model, integrating AI into game development to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and accelerate iteration cycles.

4. Why is Turkey important in the gaming industry?
Turkey’s gaming market reached $1.5 billion in 2025, with strong talent and global success stories like Peak Games and Dream Games driving international recognition.

5. What type of games is Mindtail developing?
Mindtail focuses on hybrid casual puzzle games, combining simple gameplay mechanics with deeper engagement and monetization strategies.