Key Highlights:
- Industry leaders from BookMyShow, Dream11, Game 24/7, and BITKRAFT engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of gaming and entertainment.
- Key themes included AI-driven personalization, responsible gaming regulations, and the convergence of interactive content.
- Panelists shared insights on India’s evolving gaming industry and the potential for global expansion.
Startup MahaKumbh commenced today, uniting entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to explore emerging trends shaping India’s startup ecosystem. The event featured insightful discussions, masterclasses, and key initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
A major highlight was the panel discussion moderated by Mr. Rajan Navani, Founder & CEO, JetSynthesys Pvt. Ltd, which featured prominent industry leaders Mr. Ashish Hemrajani (Founder & CEO, BookMyShow), Mr. Bhavin Pandya (Co-Founder & CEO, Game 24/7), Mr. Harsh Jain (Co-Founder & CEO, Dream11), and Mr. Anuj Tondon (Partner, BITKRAFT). The panel delved into AI-driven gaming personalization, the rise of gamification across industries, and evolving monetization strategies.
Key Insights from the Discussion:
- India’s Gaming Boom: While global gaming revenue growth has slowed, India’s gaming industry is expanding at 20% annually, attracting significant investments.
- Monetization Trends: Beyond real-money gaming, in-app purchases, microtransactions, and tipping are driving revenue growth, with in-app purchases projected to hit $4.3 billion in four years.
- Digital Payments Driving Growth: UPI and one-click payment solutions have transformed the Indian gaming economy, dispelling myths about low spending behavior among Indian gamers.
- Global Interest in India’s Market: Industry giants, including executives from Sega and Tencent, are actively exploring opportunities in India’s gaming and interactive entertainment space.
Reflecting on the discussions, Mr. Rajan Navani stated, “The gaming and digital entertainment industry in India is at an inflection point. With the right mix of innovation, investment, and responsible regulation, India can become a global powerhouse in gaming and interactive entertainment.”
The Future of Indian Startups – Driving Innovation and Growth
Another key session focused on India’s evolving startup ecosystem, investment trends, and government policies. Industry experts, investors, and founders shared perspectives on sustainable growth, regulatory challenges, and AI’s transformative impact on startups.
Moderator
- Paavan Nanda, Co-founder – WinZo Games
Speakers
- Rajesh Raju, MD – Kalaari Capital
- Rajul Garg, Founding and Managing Partner, Leo Capital
- Salone Sehgal, Founding General Partner – Lumikai Fund
Anuj Tandon, Partner, BITKFRAFT Ventures
Key Takeaways:
- Government initiatives like Startup India and sector-specific incentives are fostering a conducive ecosystem for startup growth.
- Investors emphasized the shift from rapid valuations to long-term, sustainable business models.
- Founders discussed challenges in market competition, regulatory compliance, and scaling operations.
- AI and deep-tech innovation are set to drive exponential startup growth in India.
The Investment Landscape in Gaming – Key Considerations for Founders
A special session examined investment dynamics in India’s gaming industry, highlighting strategies for founders to secure funding and scale their businesses.
Moderator
- Sohini Mandal, founder of Nilaya Legal
Speaker
- Anuj Tandon, Partner, BITKFRAFT Ventures
- Mayank Khanduja, Partner, Elevation
- Rajesh Raju, MD – Kalaari Capital
- Salone Sehgal, Founding General Partner – Lumikai Fund
Key Insights:
- Tracking Future Founders: Investors maintain structured lists of 200-300 promising entrepreneurs, engaging with them before product launch.
- Common Fundraising Pitfalls: Over-raising at high valuations, misjudging product iteration, and lack of genre specialization can hinder long-term success.
- Early Monetization Matters: Delaying monetization is a critical mistake—early revenue generation is key to sustaining a gaming startup.
- The Art of Pitching: Successful pitches balance vision with data-driven insights, emphasizing strong product fundamentals.
- Investor Perspective: A compelling startup story must showcase founder credibility, product performance insights, and clear monetization strategies.
- Gaming Founders’ Edge: Entrepreneurs with gaming experience demonstrate better adaptability and problem-solving skills.
- Path to Investment Returns: Investors seek clarity on exit strategies—whether through acquisitions or IPOs.
About Startup Mahakumbh
Startup Mahakumbh is a first-of-its-kind event bringing together the entire startup ecosystem of India including startups, investors, incubators and accelerators, and industry leaders from several sectors. The event is led by FICCI, ASSOCHAM, IVCA and Bootstrap Advisory & Foundation; and supported by SIDBI, GEM, ECGC and DPIIT Startup India.
The second edition of Startup Mahakumbh is set to make a grand return in 2025, building on the tremendous success of its inaugural edition. The flagship startup event was an extraordinary success, attracting over 48,581 business visitors engaging with 1306 exhibitors including finest startups, soonicorns, and unicorns, from 26+ states and 14+ countries. It also hosted 300+ incubators and accelerators and 200+ leading angel investors, VCs, and family offices.
For more information, visit www.startupmahakumbh.org.