LVLZero Tokyo Opens Applications for Second Cohort With Online Format
The shift to an online format removes the geographic barrier that limited the first cohort to developers who could attend in person at MIXI's head office, opening the program to indie developers across all of Japan.
Key Facts
- LVLZero Tokyo's second cohort application period runs from August 18 to September 6, 2026.
- The second cohort program runs from October to December 2026, with five teams expected to be selected.
- The second cohort switches to an online format, allowing participation from anywhere in Japan.
- Selected teams receive 100 days of mentoring covering localization, trailer production, pitch improvement, and connections with overseas publishers and investors.
- The first cohort received 78 applications and selected five teams, which are scheduled to exhibit at gamescom in Cologne, Germany, from August 26 to 30, 2026.
Reporting from 3 sources: 4Gamer.net, Automaton, GameBusiness.jp.
MIXI Global Investments, the corporate venture capital subsidiary of MIXI, began accepting applications on August 18, 2026 for the second cohort of LVLZero Tokyo, its accelerator program supporting overseas expansion for Japanese indie games. The application period runs until September 6, 2026. The second cohort shifts from the first cohort's in-person sessions at MIXI's head office to a fully online format, allowing developers from anywhere in Japan to participate. Five teams are expected to be selected, matching the first cohort's size. Selected teams will receive 100 days of mentoring covering localization, trailer production, pitch improvement, and connections with overseas publishers and investors. They will also receive support to exhibit at gamescom asia, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 29 to November 1, 2026. The program does not acquire equity or publishing rights, operating from a neutral standpoint that respects developer autonomy. Tokyo Game Dungeon, an indie game exhibition for individuals and small teams, joins as an operations partner, while Active Gaming Media continues as a knowledge partner. An online briefing session for applicants is scheduled for August 22, 2026.
- First cohort drew 78 applications; five teams were selected and are set to exhibit at gamescom in Cologne, Germany, August 26 to 30, 2026.
- First cohort selections: roguelite 3D action RPG "Bless You Again" (Gino Inc.), horror "HAUNTED STREAMER" (PrankMaker), cooperative rat action "Little Cheese Works" (BUBBLE GUM LLC), automated industrial game "moorestech" (sakastudio), and meta RPG "Tatakau Dake" (Heaviside Creations).
- Applicants must be able to prepare a playable demo version of their game, even if still in development; already released games are also eligible.
- Selection weighs game completeness, originality, overseas market potential, and developer enthusiasm and execution ability, plus willingness to participate and a clear overseas expansion vision.
- Document screening and interviews run through late September. Mentoring includes 10 group workshop sessions plus one-on-one meetings as needed, followed by a demo day in Tokyo from December to January.
- Tomoharu Urabe, MGI Director and Head of Investments, said the second cohort "will leverage the experience gained in the first cohort to expand eligibility nationwide through online participation and provide support for exhibiting at 'gamescom asia.'"
- "LVLZero Tokyo" was selected as a partner for fiscal 2025 under "TOKYO SUTEAM," a Tokyo metropolitan government program supporting startups.
- MGI is a wholly owned subsidiary of MIXI and a corporate venture capital firm investing in global startups, primarily in India.
- Active Gaming Media, which operates the outlet Automaton, handles part of the mentoring sessions as knowledge partner.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 3 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.