Our Investment in Circle Games

Our First Impression 

In September 2024, when we met the co-founders of Circle Games – Arda Ozarslan, Gokturk Balıkcı, Mehmet Ay, and Mustafa Ozdemir – we knew they had what it takes to build the next big hit in the mobile puzzle genre. 

And it wasn’t just because they had helped create some of the most successful games to come out of Turkey. They had known each other for years, and when they spoke, it was clear their vision hadn’t come together in just a few weeks. There was a long-term plan in place well before the company was officially founded and the way they communicated left no doubt that they knew exactly what to do next.

What Stood Out to Us

What convinced us even more was how aligned the team was – not just on the game itself, but on the bigger picture. They had a strong sense of what kind of studio they wanted to build, how they’d scale, and which opportunities to prioritize. This wasn’t just about one title; it was about setting a long-term foundation with the right people, the right genre focus, and the ability to move fast without cutting corners.

When we decided to invest in Circle, the game was not yet published. In weeks time, with fast execution without taking away from the quality, the game was ready for soft launch. Vision is not what matters most, but execution is. And right after our investment, Circle showed us exactly that. They didn’t just talk a big game; they followed through, step by step, just as they said they would.

The Timing and the Future 

In recent times, we are witnessing a peak in the creation of promising studios founded by veterans who were raised in successful Turkish game companies. Foreign investors' eyes are turning toward Turkey as well, where the ecosystem continues to mature with more talent, better infrastructure, and a growing appetite for global-scale execution.

Circle is one of the clearest examples of this momentum. With the right combination of experience, ambition, and speed, they are well-positioned to shape what the next generation of puzzle games and game studios can look like. We’re excited to be part of that journey from day one.

Beren Rana Öz 

CC: Beren Rana Öz for leading the investment, Doğukan Çetin for guidance and help, and Merve Kütükçüoğlu Karpuzcu for legal counsel