- India has seen a rapid increase in both viewership and revenue generation, with over 500 million gamers in the country.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently encouraged game developers to focus on creating products rather than just consuming them.
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India boasts more than 117,000 startups, with a significant number emerging from the video games and esports sector, positioning the country as one of the largest economies globally. According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the gaming industry in India has amassed a massive audience of over 500 million gamers, leading to substantial growth in viewership and revenue.
This surge has transformed esports and gaming into promising career options for both gamers and entrepreneurs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indian game developers to enhance their global presence by focusing on product creation rather than being solely consumers.
Celebrating Entrepreneurs
To commemorate World Entrepreneurs Day, we acknowledge successful gamers turned founders like Akshat Rathee and Gautam Virk, co-founders of NODWIN Gaming valued at $349 million as of 2023. Additionally, Pune-based startup SuperGaming, led by CEO and co-founder Roby John, is making waves globally with titles like MaskGun and Battle Stars, and their upcoming game Indus Battle Royale, which is highly anticipated in India.
Similarly, Max Level, a marketing and PR agency founded by gamers Siddharth Nayyar, Nishant Patel, and Rakesh Ramachandran, has evolved from a small gaming forum into a media business facilitating connections between national and international brands and the gaming audience.
Overcoming Challenges
Co-founder Rathee of NODWIN Gaming reflects on the challenging journey of establishing the company, emphasizing the importance of convincing people of esports’ potential as a lucrative industry. He takes pride in witnessing esports transform from a niche interest to a mainstream sensation, with NODWIN Gaming playing a pivotal role in the industry’s growth.
Similarly, Roby John, CEO and co-founder of SuperGaming, highlights the importance of building products that truly resonate with users, emphasizing the critical lesson of focusing on creating solutions that meet market demands.
Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
Rathee advises aspiring entrepreneurs in the esports industry to deeply understand how the sector operates to attract investments. He stresses the importance of building a strong community around the product and presenting a solid revenue generation plan to investors.
Nayyar from Max Level emphasizes the significance of retaining equity and focusing on building a profitable business. He encourages flexibility, adaptation, and building a dedicated team to overcome challenges.
