TinyCo Launches $5M TinyFund To Support Mobile Game Developers

Tap Resort and Tiny Chef developer TinyCo has announced a new $5 million fund devoted to finding, funding and marketing promising games for iOS and Android. The newly launched TinyFund will provide up to $500,000 for approved projects -- which can range from early concepts to completed games -- as well as marketing, development and business assistance as needed, according to the announcement. Developers funded through TinyFund will not have to give up any IP rights or share revenue with TinyCo, the company told Gamasutra. Instead, the funding is meant to help expand TinyCo's cross-marketed network of games beyond what the 50-person company can produce on its own. The announcement of the new fund comes just months after the company secured $18 million in series A funding led by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. "There are some amazing mobile games being developed right now, but due to lack of funds or industry experience, many of these outstanding titles will never be played by the public," said TinyCo co-founder and CEO Suli Ali, in a statement. "Long gone are the days where a great game is all it takes to get downloads. Now, in order to make a splash, developers not only have to have enough marketing spend, but also the business know-how. We've been able to accumulate both and want to help other promising developers bring hits to market," Ali continued. Interested developers can apply at TinyCo's web site. Funded projects will be announced sometime in the third quarter, the company said.