KRAFTON INDIA
Indian gaming companies enter big league with rising monetisation, global acquisitions
India’s gaming industry is shifting beyond real money gaming as monetisation picks up in midcore and casual segments. Global investors and local firms are targeting Indian gaming IPs and talent. AI is easing development, though monetisation challenges persist. Despite limited VC funding, the sector is drawing rising global attention and activity.
To open source or not; Urban Company founders sell stock
Happy Wednesday! With Sarvam’s new government assignment, India is debating open sourcing. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Krafton-backed Blue Ocean Games launches $30 million fund to back indie game developers
Under the Sail model, developers retain full ownership of their intellectual property. The structure includes a hybrid equity and revenue-sharing agreement, designed to balance developer control with investor returns.
India gaming incubator adds six startups including Kolkata's Advaita
Krafton has inducted six startups into the second batch of its India Gaming Incubator (KIGI), expanding to cities like Kolkata and Madurai. Startups receive up to $150,000 and mentorship to develop games. Titles include Inspectorium and CHROMADI. Launched in 2023, KIGI supports Indian game developers with funding, global expertise, and publishing opportunities.
JetSynthesys raises funding from global gaming giant Krafton
JetSynthesys, backed by Adar Poonawalla and Sachin Tendulkar, receives funding from Krafton. This investment supports JetSynthesys' plan for 20x revenue growth in six years. The company will expand internationally and strengthen its Indian presence. They aim to double profit margins. Krafton's CEO expresses excitement about the partnership. JetSynthesys plans acquisitions and organic growth.
Pocket FM logs 68% revenue growth in FY25
Audio series platform Pocket FM reported Rs 1,768 crore in FY25 revenue, up 68%, driven by growth in India, the US, and Europe. With ARR nearing Rs 2,000 crore, the company leverages AI to cut costs and expand content. It now eyes Latin America expansion, despite prior layoffs and ongoing investor discussions.
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Cashfree Payments appoints Piyush Anchliya as CFO
Cashfree Payments has appointed Piyush Anchliya as its new Chief Financial Officer to spearhead financial strategy and sustainable growth. Anchliya, with 15 years of experience across finance and M&A, will report to CEO Akash Sinha. His expertise will be crucial as Cashfree scales operations.
Reliance and BLAST team up to shake up India's esports scene
Reliance Industries subsidiary RISE Worldwide Ltd and BLAST Esports Ltd have formed a joint venture to boost the esports industry in India. This collaboration is set to introduce new game titles, teams, sponsors, and significant investments in offline and online tournaments.
RIL shares in focus for these 2 reasons. Check details
RIL shares: The first announcement reveals that Reliance has initiated the construction of its first Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant in Andhra Pradesh, as part of a broader plan to set up 500 CBG plants in the region.
After nearing ‘zero runway,’ Pratilipi closes $20 million round at a slashed valuation
The deal, however, has been struck at a significantly lower post-funding valuation of $100 million, as per cofounder and CEO Ranjeet Pratap Singh. This would be the last private financing round before it heads for a public issue following consultations with bankers in the second half of 2025, he added.
Fintechs plug into EVs; Groww’s CCI nod
Happy Wednesday! Fintech startups are tapping into India’s growing commercial EV market. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Government support can boost esports industry: Krafton's India CEO
The Krafton's India CEO was speaking at an Esports Conclave organised by the Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI) and supported by Krafton and Invest India. “If you look at any industry in emerging countries that has grown at a fast pace, there were government incentives, guidelines, and support, which can serve as a strong signal for many stakeholders in the industry,” Krafton's chief executive Sean Hyunil Sohn said.
India vs X; Smallcase's funding boost
The Indian government will fight allegations by Elon Musk's X about content regulation and censorship. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Krafton acquires stake in real cricket-maker Nautilus Mobile in Rs 118 crore deal
Krafton's Nautilus Mobile acquisition will strengthen the company's focus on India's gaming market, combining Nautilus's expertise with its global resources, while JetSynthesys remains a minority investor. This represents Krafton’s first controlling investment in India, highlighting its commitment to fostering local game development.
India gaming market to be more sizable, impactful; looking to invest, acquire: Krafton India CEO
Krafton India CEO, Sean Hyunil Sohn sees the gaming industry here becoming much more sizable and impactful, and asserts the company would not be tied down to fixed investment limits for this "promising" market. Krafton has already invested USD 200 million in the country.
India gaming market to be more sizable, impactful; looking to invest, acquire: KRAFTON India CEO
KRAFTON, the South Korean gaming giant behind Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), is actively seeking investment and acquisition opportunities in India, a key market. The company has already invested $200 million, citing India’s mobile-first gaming culture, rapid smartphone adoption, and young, tech-savvy population.
FanTV raises $3 million to transform AI-powered content creation
This new funding, backed by Mysten Labs, Cypher Capital, CoinSwitch Ventures and Illuminati Capital will fuel FanTV’s mission to revolutionize digital content creation with AI-driven tools.
Cashfree secures $53 million from Krafton, Apis Partners
The funds will be used to scale up its products, invest in new payment infrastructure projects and push its D2C brands. The online merchant payment startup last raised a major funding of $2.7 million from SBI in 2021. To date, it has raised $44 million.
Mahindra partners with Krafton India; Here's how you can win a Mahindra BE 6 by playing BGMI
Mahindra partnered with Krafton India to feature the BE 6 electric SUV in the Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) game. Starting January 16, players can interact with the BE 6 and win inspired items. By completing missions and participating in a video contest, players can win a real Mahindra BE 6 eSUV. Prices for the BE 6 start from Rs 18.
We plan to have a significant ramp up in India: Krafton CEO CH Kim
The CEO said that the company has invested up to $170 million in gaming and gaming adjacent industries as well as consumer industries that are based on IT and tech. They are planning to invest $140 million more in the future as well. It is also increasing its focus on proprietary games in India, such as BGMI, Bullet Echo India, Road To Valor Empires, and others.
Krafton enters Indian casual gaming segment with CookieRun, plans $140 million investment in startups
Krafton, the company behind BGMI, is launching CookieRun in India on December 11th, featuring India-themed characters. They plan to release 3-4 new games in 2025 and invest $140 million in Indian gaming and entertainment startups over the next 12-18 months through their Krafton India Gaming Incubator program.
Gaming firm Krafton backs South Korean IMM Investment's maiden India fund
The fund will primarily target growth-stage companies with strong potential for an initial public offering, leveraging South Korean expertise and capital, said a company statement. IMM’s investments range from $1 million in seed funding to about $1 billion in growth equity or infrastructure capital.
Gaming major Krafton launches incubator programme for Indian startups
The incubator programme will enrol between six to ten “teams” every year, and offer between $50,000 and $150,000 as funding support, with “exceptional” teams getting up to $250,000.
Krafton India ropes in Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh as BGMI brand ambassador
Ranveer Singh said as an artist he finds gaming to be an extension of his creative expression.
Gaming major Krafton to invest another $150 million in Indian startups
Over the last three years, the firm has invested about $140 million in 11 Indian gaming and content-driven ventures including Nazara Technologies’ unit Nodwin Gaming, Pratilipi, KukuFM and Loco.
Krafton’s BGMI game set for comeback after government lifts ban temporarily
The move comes less than two years after the Indian government banned Krafton's marquee offering PUBG in the country.
BGMI to be back in India soon? Here's everything you need to know
Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) has been banned from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store in July 2022.
PUBG maker Krafton leads $19.5 million funding round in Indian audio content platform Kuku FM
South Korean gaming giant Krafton has pumped in $19.5 million in homegrown audio content platform Kuku FM, the startup announced on Thursday.
Krafton invests $5.4 million in Nautilus Mobile
The funding will help Nautilus deepen its penetration in more markets globally and broaden its scope to other games in addition to cricket.
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