Dino SlothPartner readiness · DS/GROW/03
Strategy excerpt · fictional data
Project Lantern
A practical route from capable regional studio to repeat global partnerships.
- Studio
- 34 people · Bangkok
- Question
- Partner or investor first?
- Horizon
- Next 12 months
- Confidence
- Moderate
Partner first
Lead with proven co-development. Treat investment as an outcome of repeatable delivery, not the opening request.
Lantern has credible AAA support work and senior Unreal engineers. Its pitch currently presents a full-service studio, original-IP developer and low-cost outsource provider at once. For the next two quarters, one clear offer should lead: senior Unreal co-development with evidence behind it.
01 · Readiness profile
Current readiness by evidence areaIllustrative assessment
Technical credibilityStrong
Delivery proofGood
Commercial focusMixed
Sales resilienceWeak
3Shipped external credits
2Repeat clients
11Senior Unreal staff
1Founder owning sales
Dino SlothProject Lantern · Route to market
Target relationships
02 · Who to approach—and why
| Priority | Target | Proof they need | Appropriate ask |
|---|
| Now | AAA development partnerBest match for proven capability. | Accepted milestone, lead reference and named delivery team. | A scoped co-development package. |
| Cultivate | PublisherOriginal project is not yet the lead case. | Playable slice, costed plan and audience evidence. | Fit and feedback, not full funding. |
| Later | Strategic investorUseful once delivery is repeatable. | Renewals, margin by work type and leadership plan. | Build the relationship first. |
| Selective | Technology partnerOnly where there is a real operating need. | Use case, integration owner and exit cost. | A bounded pilot with criteria. |
03 · First 90 days
Days 1–15Fix the offerOne proposition, two evidence-led case studies and a realistic start window.
Days 16–30Build the listTwenty suitable partners; a small number of publishers and investors to know.
Days 31–60Test the messageFocused conversations, useful references and disciplined qualification.
Days 61–90Convert interestPaid discovery or a bounded work package with named acceptance evidence.
04 · The immediate decisions
- Now
Stop presenting three studio identitiesOriginal IP can show ambition without competing with the commercial offer.
Leadership
- Now
Turn delivery history into proofLead with the client's problem, Lantern's responsibility and the accepted result.
2 weeks
- Next
Separate introductions from qualificationA warm introduction does not repair a poor fit.
1 week
Review boundary: this is studio operating and relationship advice—not fundraising, brokerage or a promise of introductions. Investment terms and contracts require financial and legal advisers.