The Avalanche Foundation and Helika, a leader in creative and technical tools for the game industry, have joined forces to launch a $250,000 gaming accelerator. Applications for the first group are now open. This new partnership is built to support both web3-native studios and game makers who want to explore blockchain integration.

The program will run for 3 months and combine online onboarding with in-person demos at top gaming and blockchain events. Given that, it will welcome experienced studios, web3 teams ready to grow, and developers exploring blockchain for the first time. Projects that are already gaining traction or looking to launch on several platforms are encouraged to apply.

A Clear Path for Game Studios

The Avalanche x Helika Gaming Accelerator focuses on product building and market readiness. It seeks to find and support studios that can deliver polished, engaging games while using blockchain to its full potential. The structure gives developers direct access to tools, funding, and networks that are often hard to get alone.

Selected teams will receive $25,000 in starting funds, with the chance to earn up to $125,000 more for top-performing or qualifying projects. Other than funding, the program will offer guidance from seasoned game makers, blockchain experts, and industry leaders. Support will include one-on-one meetings, group mentorship, and tailored advice from Helika's network.

Support at Every Level

The program seeks to help developers not just build, but also launch and grow in a lasting way. Each stage connects to the next.

  • Funding & Resources: $25,000 at the start and up to $125,000 more for qualifying teams.
  • Expert Guidance: Mentorship from game veterans and blockchain leaders, plus advice from Helika's experts.
  • Analytics Support: Access to Helika's tools to track player behavior, game performance, and economy health in real time.
  • Blockchain Integration: Technical help for connecting with Avalanche, focusing on performance, user experience, and scalability.
  • Community & Growth: Partnerships with gaming communities to boost player acquisition, retention, and launch plans.
  • Ecosystem Access: Direct links to developers, investors, publishers, and web3 groups.
  • Showcase Opportunities: A Demo Day to present to investors, publishers, and ecosystem leaders.

Helika CEO Anton Umnov shared the vision behind the deal. "We are excited to partner with the Avalanche Foundation to create a world-class accelerator for web3 gaming. Avalanche's robust and scalable infrastructure makes it an ideal environment for innovative game development. Studios need tools that work, data that matter, and real support from people who understand what it means to build in this space — this accelerator provides all of that, plus a direct line into a powerful web3 ecosystem."

Next to that, Parker Heath, Gaming Partnerships Lead at Ava Labs, explained Avalanche's long-term approach. "Avalanche is focused on the long game. There's no shortage of flashy ideas. What's missing is the support that helps studios turn those ideas into real, playable, scalable games. Avalanche has long been the go-to chain for speed and innovation, and now we're channeling that energy into the future of gaming, supporting teams who understand the nuance of player experience, community building, and long-term value creation."

About Avalanche and the Avalanche Foundation

The Avalanche Foundation is a non-profit that supports the growth of the AVAX ecosystem. It runs initiatives like the infraBUIDL(AI) Program to drive innovation in blockchain and AI. Through funding, education, and partnerships, the Foundation builds a supportive environment for developers worldwide.

Avalanche is a high-speed, low-latency blockchain made for scale. It supports sovereign, customizable Layer 1 networks that can connect with each other. These L1s use the Avalanche Consensus Mechanism for high throughput and near-instant transaction finality.

Also, Avalanche is known for its flexibility, scalability, and builder-friendly tools. It lets projects create unique blockchain environments without giving up speed or low cost. With customizable subnets, game studios can build worlds tailored to their needs. Popular titles like Off The Grid and MapleStory Universe already use Avalanche for its speed and low fees.

About Helika

Helika is a gaming intelligence firm that works with major names like Ubisoft, Nexon, Proof of Play, and Parallel. It provides real-time data on player behavior, in-game economies, and engagement. This helps builders make quick gameplay updates, balance economies, and improve retention.

Helika is backed by leading VC firms such as Pantera Capital, Big Brain Holdings, Sparkle Ventures, Sfermion, Diagram Ventures, and Fenbushi Capital. Apart from analytics, it offers accelerators, publishing tools, and growth strategies to help studios launch and scale. Its tools give developers useful insights at every stage of a game's life.

Building for the Next Era of Gaming

The Avalanche x Helika Gaming Accelerator is more than a funding program. It is a launchpad for studios to go from an idea to a market-ready product. Backed by a network that knows both web2 and web3 gaming, it combines Avalanche's blockchain tech with Helika's analytics to create a strong base for developers to focus on building engaging, scalable games.

Both teams want to lower the barriers to blockchain adoption. Web3-native teams will get tools to refine and scale their projects. At the same time, traditional developers can explore blockchain without facing the complexity alone.

Who Should Apply

The accelerator is open to:

  • Experienced studios making PC, mobile, or cross-platform games.
  • Web3-native teams looking to grow.
  • Traditional studios exploring blockchain for the first time.
  • Projects with early traction or live games ready to expand.
  • Teams focused on lasting game economies, deep gameplay, and community building.

Applications are open now at helika.io/helika-avalanche-accelerator.

Why It Matters for Web3 Gaming

Onchain gaming is still young. Many studios struggle with scaling, bringing in players, and keeping them engaged long term. This accelerator seeks to tackle those problems. Avalanche offers a proven web3 setup with fast, low-cost transactions and customizable subnets. Next to that, Helika adds analytics and strategy tools to keep games balanced and engaging.

By putting all this into a 3-month program, the accelerator offers studios structured support during development. With funding, expert help, and access to a broad community from day one, teams can launch products that stand out in a crowded market.