Investor Conclave for Gaming Starups at IGDC 2019, Anticipates $10 Million Deals
IGDC (India Game Developer Conference) global scale Investor-Publisher Connect, to be held on 22 and 23rd November 2019 to be held at HICC, Hyderabad, has attracted 50 active investors and 60 gaming start-ups to tap potential investment and publishing opportunities.
IGDC has emerged as the most productive platform for investors, publishers and gaming companies to engage with each other. IGDC 2019 has seen a record 100% increase in number of global and local investors and start-ups. IGDC organisers expect Investor-Publisher investment opportunities worth more than $10 million in this year edition.
The 2-day event will be held in two formats:
1. Speed dating roster where early-stage gaming companies get a chance to meet investors and game publishers.
2. Exclusive one-on-one meetings where traction stage and accelerated companies get detailed face time with investors, publishers and strategic international partners.
Selected gaming start-ups will have an opportunity to have unique speed dating running for 15 minutes, with top-notch investors on both days. Exclusive one-on-one meetings will also be held during the event.
“There has been an unprecedented innovation in the Indian gaming landscape in the last 18 months, especially as smartphones have become more accessible to Indian digital consumers. India’s online gaming industry is poised to grow at 20-25% CAGR to a billion-dollar market over the next two years.
We at Nazara are excited to be at Investor – Publisher Connect at IGDC to scout and invest in exciting talent which Indian Gaming ecosystem has to offer and work with them to create and tap the exploding domestic Indian gaming market", said Manish Agarwal, CEO of Nazara Technologies Limited
The Investor-Publisher connect 2019 edition attracted new investors and publishers like Kabam, Miniclip, Nukebox Studios, Grampus, Green Gold, Reliance Games, Hypr Games, Accel Partners, eWTP capital and also many international delegations from the US, UK, Korea, Japan, China, and Canada.
There were 35 investors and publishers and over 200 meetings between studios, investors and publishers during IGDC 2018, which had participation from heavyweights like Nazara games, Tencent, Sequoia, Outfit7, Kalaari, Accel, Anthill Ventures, SAIF partners, Moonfrog Labs, Reliance Jio, Paytm, Hyderabad Angels, Times Internet, U2opia, Nexus Venture Partners and Matrix Partners.
The biggest booster for this growth is because of strong and deep workforce with leading-edge skills in games and immersive technologies.
“IGDC is the melting pot of all things gaming in India. Whether you’re an indie developer or a large publishing studio, there’s something of value to be prized out. The Investor-Publisher connect at IGDC is a great platform for Indian gaming companies to raise capital to really help them accelerate, as well as drive strategic partnerships with indigenous and international industry leaders.”, expressed Ajish G Habib, MD, and CEO of TuttiFrutti Interactive.
India is turning as a strong hub to develop new games. Large international companies such as Zynga, Rockstar, Tencent, Square Enix and Supercell have opened offices in India.
It is one of the top five markets for mobile gaming, owing to increasing smartphone affordability and decreasing data prices. There are tremendous opportunities to grow and lead game development.
“Under the galactic layer of a Billion Dollar Gaming Industry, a few sub-verticals are garnering momentum namely 'Content consumption and UGC for Gaming', 'Real-Time Sports/e-Sports' fan engagement'. It will be interesting to see at the IGDC investor connect how the Indian market is accommodating these new trends. We at Anthill Ventures are looking forward to some interesting engagements during the Investor connect” Says Ojas Agnihotri of VC firm Anthill Ventures.
According to trade analysts’ reports, the online gaming industry in India is estimated to reach revenues of Rs. 12000 Crores by 2023, growing at 22% annually. The number of mobile phone gamers in the country will be around 628 million by 2020. Computer and console gaming will also play a huge part in the rapid growth of gaming in India.
