Tencent leads $25M round for Istanbul studio Circle Games
Circle Games has secured $25 million in Series A funding led by Tencent, bringing total investment to $32.25 million. The studio will use the funds to expand its puzzle game Jelly Escape to new markets and grow Sort Express, while also planning to double its workforce. Existing investors including BITKRAFT and a16z Speedrun also participated.
The Series A brings Circle Games' total funding to $32.25 million, following a $7.25 million seed round completed in July 2025. The studio's first puzzle title, Sort Express, launched globally with development centered on user experience and data analysis, an approach CEO Göktürk Balıkcı says was validated by the game's performance. Jelly Escape, released more recently, is slated for expansion into additional markets.
The funding will also support continued worldwide growth of Sort Express and the development of new mobile titles. Circle Games intends to at least double its workforce as part of the expansion. The round included participation from existing backers e2vc, BITKRAFT Ventures, APY Ventures, and a16z Speedrun, alongside lead investor Tencent, reflecting sustained confidence in the studio's puzzle-game strategy.
This investment could strengthen Turkey's position as a rising hub for mobile game development, potentially creating dozens of new jobs in Istanbul's tech sector. For players, the funding may mean more polished puzzle games reaching global markets, though increased competition could pressure smaller studios. Tencent's involvement may also draw further international attention to Turkish studios, possibly encouraging additional foreign investment in the region's gaming ecosystem.