Tim Bender, CEO of the indie game publisher Hooded Horse, announced his role in managing a new $100 million fund launched by Griffin Gaming Partners, specifically designed to support independent game developers. This Griffin Fund offers a unique financial model: it provides capital directly to indie studios without requiring equity ownership or debt recoupment. Instead, developers agree to a simple flat percentage of future revenue sharing in exchange for the upfront funding needed to complete their projects. This announcement highlights a significant and alternative avenue for funding within the indie gaming scene, addressing a gap for projects that may not fit traditional publishing or venture capital models.
The initiative stems from a practical need identified by Bender and Hooded Horse. Many compelling game pitches submitted to the publisher fell outside its specific strategic focus, leaving worthy projects without support. Bender clarified that this fund is a separate endeavor; Hooded Horse is not changing its publishing direction, nor is he launching a new publishing house. The Griffin Fund acts as a complementary financial tool, allowing developers to secure necessary resources while retaining full creative and operational control of their studios, a crucial concern for many indie teams.
Griffin Gaming Partners is a well-established venture fund with a dedicated focus on the gaming industry and related sectors. Founded in January 2019 by Peter Levin, Phil Sanderson, and Nicholas Tuosto, the firm has grown to manage a portfolio worth $1.5 billion. The founders themselves are passionate gamers, with preferences ranging from classic titles like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time to tabletop games like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. Griffin invests across all stages of gaming startups, including notable projects like Discord, demonstrating its breadth and experience in the ecosystem.
The application process for the Griffin Fund is designed to be accessible. Developers can find a contact email address directly on Griffin’s website, inviting submissions from any indie studio seeking funding. While the specific percentage for the revenue share agreement has not been publicly disclosed, it is logical to assume the terms will be tailored to each project, considering factors such as the game’s development stage, required budget, and projected commercial potential. This flexible, project-specific approach aims to create fair partnerships that align the fund’s support with the developer’s long-term success.
This $100 million fund represents a substantial injection of capital into the indie development community. By offering a no-equity, no-recoup model based on revenue sharing, it provides a lifeline for studios that prioritize independence and creative freedom over traditional venture capital structures. For developers working on innovative games that may not align with a publisher’s niche, the Griffin Fund, managed through Hooded Horse’s industry connections, offers a promising new path to secure the resources needed to bring their visions to market.
