Mellow, a contractor management platform automating freelancer sourcing, contracting, compliance, and payments, has launched Indie Launchpad, a dedicated support program for indie game studios.
Indie studios will receive six months of full access to hire and work with remote talent across more than 100 countries worldwide. The program supports growing teams of up to 15 people and is intended for aspiring studios that have yet to establish a name for themselves in the gaming industry.
The program aims to empower indie game studios to focus on shipping games instead of dealing with bureaucracy.
According to Mellow’s internal data, operational overheads consume 5-15% of studio budgets and drive founder burnout. Manual contractor management costs indie studios 100-300 hours and $5 000-$15 000 per quarter on administrative work alone. Smaller teams are particularly affected, often lacking the resources needed to operate effectively in a challenging market.
“Working closely with numerous indie studios, we’ve seen firsthand the heavy financial pressure they face. In today’s volatile market, it’s only getting harder.
We cannot change market turbulence, but we can provide a safe space where studios can manage their teams, eliminate paperwork, and reduce administrative costs. Our goal is to free up resources for what matters most: creating new worlds.”
Alexander Norovyatkin, VP of Growth at Mellow
The program includes Mellow’s Contractor Management platform, covering hiring, contracting, legal paperwork, and invoicing, as well as AI Scout, which helps project leads quickly match roles with suitable freelancers.
To participate in the program, studios can apply here. Mellow plans to support up to 50 studios, accepting applications throughout 2026. Access is provided at a symbolic $1 per contractor per month for legal formalities.
