Blue Ocean Games launches $30m fund to support indie game developers
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Early-stage venture Blue Ocean Games has launched a $30 million fund to support indie game developers.
The fund uses an investment model called SAIL (Structured Agreement for Indie Launch), which supports developers from the concept stage by providing up to $100,000 per developer or $300,000 per team, disbursed over two years.
Blue Ocean Games said that funding is tied to objective, market-validation milestones rather than relying on subjective progress checkpoints.
Aside from financial backing, the fund offers practical support, such as help with incorporation, bookkeeping services, and mentorship from industry veterans.
Developers will work in cohorts to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing. While the current fund is tailored for solo developers and small teams, future funds aim to extend support to larger and more experienced studios.
Solving problems
Founded by former KRAFTON investment head Damian Lee, Blue Ocean Games is an early-stage venture fund based in Toronto that supports indie game developers by funding innovative, market-validated “blue ocean” concepts.
The company has also launched Rising Tide, an ongoing series of online competitions aimed at helping developers validate their ideas, gain exposure, and move their projects forward, regardless of funding goals.
The first challenge kicks off on May 1st, 2025, in partnership with Global Game Jam, alongside the opening of applications for direct funding.
“There is a structural problem in the indie game industry where the gap between what investors are willing to fund, what developers dream of creating, and what players crave has grown too wide,” said Damian Lee, founder and managing partner of Blue Ocean Games.
“Beyond simply filling a funding gap, we are trying to reimagine the ecosystem itself. By aligning player demand with developer passion through community validation and reliable funding, our goal is to create an environment where mutual benefits naturally drive success and growth.”
