WinZO To Export Made-In-India Games Under Its ‘Bharat Tech Triumph’ Initiative

In a bid to export made-in-India games and related tech developed by the country’s game development studios to the world, gaming startup WinZO on Tuesday (January 16) announced the launch of its ‘Bharat Tech Triumph’ initiative.

According to the company, the initiative is aimed at supporting ‘research in deep tech for social gaming and cybersecurity’. Under the initiative, the company plans to provide essential infrastructure support and collaboration opportunities to Indian game developers and studios. 

Besides, the gaming startups partaking in the initiative will get access to funding opportunities, high-speed computing services and ultra-low-latency real-time game engines for large-scale operation. 

WinZO’s Bharat Tech Triumph initiative will facilitate partnership and knowledge sharing among local startups, academic institutions and global gaming communities.

Select companies will be facilitated by WinZO, in collaboration with Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council (IEIC) and Telangana VFX Animation and Gaming Association (TVAGA), to become a part of the India Pavilion at the Game Developers’ Conference. This event is scheduled to be held in March in the US.

Speaking about the initiative, WinZO’s cofounder Paavan Nanda said, “…We want to nurture innovation and contribute to the overall growth of the technology sector, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs to ‘Make in Bharat’ for the world.”

Chiming in, the managing director of Kalaari Capital, Rajesh Raju, said, “The export of game tech products, particularly high-speed computation technology, holds the key to unlocking our nation’s vast economic potential and the success of technology startups. Recognising the tremendous potential within India’s startup ecosystem, we believe that global exposure and promoting the export of cutting-edge technology will position India as a global leader in the consumer tech industry.”

The Gurugram-based startup was founded by Nanda and Saumya Singh Rathore in 2018. The online skill-based gaming startup partners with third-party developers to host games on its mobile-based application. 

Last year, WinZO launched a $50 Mn ‘Game Developer Fund’. Under this fund, the startup claims to invest in the Indian gaming ecosystem. 

Estimated to be a $2.6 Bn market opportunity in FY22, the Indian online gaming industry has been hit by the implications of a 28% GST regime. 

Soon after the implementation of the new tax regime, WinZO announced to invest $25 Mn in the Brazilian gaming market in October 2023. The company claims to have helped more than 100 partner game developers set foot in Brazil last year. 

The startup reported a net loss of INR 120.59 Cr in FY22 compared to INR 51.36 Cr a fiscal ago. Since its inception, the company has raised a total of $100 Mn in multiple rounds from VCs like California-based Griffin Gaming Partners, Kalaari Capital and gaming funds like Maker’s Fund and Courtside.