Turkish studio Bold Games secures Jimco backing
Category: Media, Gaming & Creator Economy
By Irfan
Published: 2026-07-16T04:12:00.000Z
Turkish studio Bold Games has raised six million dollars in seed funding with participation from Saudi Arabia's JIMCO. The capital will expand its sort puzzle game Market Match and grow product and engineering teams. This supports long term player engagement in the competitive mobile gaming space
Turkish mobile gaming studio Bold Games has closed a six million dollar seed round, drawing participation from Saudi Arabia's JIMCO alongside leading gaming focused investors. The funding will accelerate development of the company's debut title Market Match, a sort puzzle game, while supporting team expansion and long term player engagement strategies in a competitive global market. The round was led by Arcadia Gaming Partners, Makers Fund and e2vc, with additional backing from JIMCO and several angel investors. Bold Games, based in Istanbul, benefits from a founding team of seasoned professionals drawn from successful Turkish studios such as Dream Games, Rollic and others. Their collective experience informs a deliberate focus on the sort puzzle category, which offers opportunities for sustained player retention compared with shorter lived hyper casual titles. Market Match represents the studio's first step toward building lasting intellectual property that can deliver years of engagement rather than fleeting popularity. Proceeds from the round will primarily strengthen product and engineering teams, enhance game operations and fuel player acquisition efforts. The company plans to invest thoughtfully in new intellectual property development while refining its approach to player experience and monetization. Chief executive Ulas Mergen emphasized the team's commitment to creating games that resonate deeply with smartphone users worldwide, leveraging deep insights into player behavior and market needs. Investors cited the founders' proven track record and innovative mindset as key reasons for their confidence in Bold Games' potential. This latest success adds momentum to Turkey's already vibrant gaming ecosystem, known for producing multiple billion dollar exits and nurturing repeat entrepreneurs who launch new ventures. Istanbul has solidified its reputation as a hub for mobile game development, attracting international capital through a combination of talent depth, cost efficiencies and cultural creativity that travels well across borders. Bold Games exemplifies this dynamic, positioning itself for broader international reach while maintaining strong roots in the Turkish tech scene. In the MENA region the investment highlights growing cross border interest in entertainment technology and digital content. Saudi Arabia continues to prioritize gaming as part of its Vision 2030 diversification strategy, with substantial public and private capital flowing into the sector through entities like JIMCO. The kingdom aims to become a regional leader in esports, game publishing and related technologies, supported by regulatory reforms and infrastructure investments. Similar enthusiasm appears in the UAE and other Gulf markets where young populations drive demand for high quality mobile experiences. Egyptian and North African developers also contribute to the regional talent pool. Participation by Saudi investors in Turkish studios like Bold Games illustrates deepening ties between MENA capital and established gaming expertise from Turkey, potentially opening doors for localized content, joint ventures and market entry strategies tailored to Arabic speaking audiences and cultural preferences. This flow of investment and knowledge strengthens the overall MENA gaming industry, fostering innovation and creating opportunities for regional players to compete on the global stage. The funding arrives at a time when mobile puzzle games maintain strong appeal due to their accessibility and replay value. With Bold Games' experienced leadership and fresh capital, the studio is well equipped to refine Market Match and explore future titles. Success here could further elevate Turkey's profile while delivering engaging experiences to players worldwide.