Interview with Ivan Marchand, president and co-founder Gamevestor

The gaming industry is massive, but for many independent studios, securing funding without losing creative control remains a major hurdle. At the same time, gamers have always wanted to be more than just consumers; they want to be part of the journey. This is where Gamevestor steps in.

Unlike traditional crowdfunding where you might receive a digital soundtrack or a t-shirt in exchange for your support, Gamevestor offers a regulated investment platform. Here, players can actually share in the commercial success of the games they believe in. By focusing on highly curated projects and professional financial structures, they are bringing a new level of maturity to the world of indie game funding.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Ivan Marchand, the president and co-founder of Gamevestor, to dive deeper into how this platform ensures quality, manages risks through milestone based funding, and what the future holds for gamers who want to become investors.

What makes Gamevestor fundamentally different from well known crowdfunding platforms like kickstarter or indiegogo for both gamers and developers?

The core difference is that Gamevestor is an investment platform, not a rewards based crowdfunding platform. On traditional platforms, backers pre purchase products or receive perks. There is no financial return tied to the commercial performance of the project.

On Gamevestor:

• Users invest through a regulated financial structure
• Projects are highly curated, with a selection rate below 3%
• Investors receive a share of revenues generated by the game
• Each project is monitored, and funds are released through milestones, not transferred in full at the end of the campaign

This is about structured participation in commercial outcomes, not pre orders or merchandise.

How does Gamevestor ensure the security of investments and the quality of the projects featured on the platform?

We address this on two levels: selection and structure.

Selection (less than 3% acceptance rate)

• Every project is reviewed by industry experts
• We assess the studio’s track record, production capacity, scope realism, and commercial potential
• We only onboard experienced teams

Structure

• Investments are made within a regulated European framework
• Funding is released in stages, based on predefined milestones
• Legal documentation clearly defines investor rights and revenue sharing mechanisms

This does not eliminate risk (game development remains inherently risky) but it introduces professional oversight, accountability, and structural safeguards.

Could you explain how the process of milestone based funding works and why this is beneficial for a project's stability?

Milestone based funding has been standard practice in the industry for decades. Instead of transferring 100% of the funds upfront, capital is released progressively as the studio achieves predefined development milestones, such as:

• Vertical slice completion
• Alpha or Beta delivery
• Demo or Early Access release

If a milestone is not reached, further funding can be paused and, depending on the structure, part of the capital may be reimbursed to investors. This approach encourages production discipline, reduces execution risk, aligns incentives between studio and investors, and improves overall project stability. It creates accountability without interfering creatively.

What are the key criteria you look for in a game studio before onboarding them, and what does the roadmap for gamevestor look like over the next two years?

Studio criteria:

• Proven experience or strong senior leadership
• Realistic scope and budget
• Clear market positioning
• Credible production roadmap
• Commercial logic behind the project
• Artistic value and differentiation

We are not looking for ideas, we are looking for executable, commercially viable projects.

Roadmap (next two years):

• Expand the number of curated campaigns
• Strengthen the investor community across Europe
• Increase brand recognition within the game development ecosystem
• Improve platform transparency and investor tools
• Expand internationally, including entering the U.S. market

The objective is to establish Gamevestor as a credible alternative funding channel within (and beyond) the European gaming ecosystem.

What is the biggest advantage for a gamer to invest through Gamevestor instead of simply buying a game at launch, and how do you see this changing the gaming industry?

Buying a game makes you a consumer. Investing makes you a participant in its commercial journey, with the potential for financial return.

The key advantages:

• Early exposure to curated projects
• Financial participation in success
• Stronger alignment with studios
• Supporting alternative funding pathways for independent developers

Of course, investing involves risk and is not for everyone. But if adopted widely, this model could diversify funding sources, reduce overdependence on traditional publishers, strengthen the relationship between creators and players, and contribute to a more resilient European game industry. It won’t replace existing funding models, but it can meaningfully complement them.

The future of gaming investments

It is clear that Gamevestor is aiming for more than just another way to fund games; they are building a professional bridge between the people who make games and the people who play them. By moving away from simple rewards and focusing on actual revenue sharing, they offer a level of involvement that was previously reserved for large publishers and private equity firms.

While investing always carries risks, the structured approach of milestone based funding and the strict 3% selection rate show that Ivan and his team are serious about protecting the interests of their community. Whether you are a developer looking for an alternative to traditional publishing or a gamer wanting to support the industry in a more meaningful way, Gamevestor is definitely a platform to keep an eye on.

If you are curious about their current projects or want to learn more about how to become a participant in the next big indie hit, be sure to visit their platform.