NODWIN Nazary plans 5-7 acquisitions in next few years – Brand Wagon News

NODWIN Gaming, the esports subsidiary of Nazara Technologies, aims to acquire 5-7 companies in the coming years and expand its global presence from 22 to 40-50 office locations.

The gaming startup acquired Comic Con India in January this year and Singapore-based events company Branded last year. Some of the other companies NODWIN has acquired so far include Planet Superheroes, OML Live IPs, Publish Me Global and Ninja Global. “Our recent acquisitions of Comic Con India and Branded are part of our strategy to build a comprehensive portfolio that appeals to the interests of the youth,” Akshat Rathee, co-founder and managing director of NODWIN Gaming, told Fe in an interview.

The startup also plans to expand from a gaming and e-sports company to a holistic youth company. To do so, it is exploring opportunities in digital content creation, influencer marketing, and social media platforms. “Youth culture today is multi-faceted and interconnected. Gaming and e-sports are key aspects, but they are part of a broader ecosystem that encompasses entertainment, content creation, lifestyle, and identity,” Rathee added.

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The company plans to create a diverse network that will increase its reach and influence in the youth-focused market known as the global south, which includes countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Turkey, Mexico and others. “All of these places have growing youth populations and growing economies. These emerging markets represent the greatest potential for growth and engagement, and that is where we want to focus our efforts the most,” he said.

NODWIN was founded by Rathee and Gautam Singh Virk in 2014. Nazara Technologies is the majority shareholder in NODWIN Gaming, but operates as an independent subsidiary and operates in media, influencer, tournament IP, brand solutions and merchandising. NODWIN currently has an 80% share of the Indian esports market, as per Nazara’s filings. The company reported ₹427.1 crore in revenue in FY23, up 10% from ₹388.7 crore in FY22.

NODWIN Gaming also recently signed definitive agreements to increase its current stake in Freaks 4U Gaming GmbH, a global full-service gaming and esports agency headquartered in Berlin, to 100% in tranches through a share exchange valued at up to ₹271 crore. “This move is intended to strengthen our access to mature markets, in addition to our execution and planning capabilities in PC gaming support and publishing services,” he said.

In May 2023, NODWIN raised $28 million from new investors like Sony Group Corporation and Innopark, and from existing investors including Nazara, Krafton, and JetSynthesys. The round valued the startup at $349 million. “We are profitable and plan to raise more funds only when we feel we need more dry powder to advance our strategy, not to fund operations,” the co-founder said.

The company also has a strategic partnership with the Global Esports Federation (GEF). “Our unified vision is to elevate esports globally in emerging markets,” he added. While India remains a key market for NODWIN, the company has also seen significant growth in Turkey, Central Asia, South Asia, and African countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. Moreover, while it has recognized significant revenue potential in developed regions like Japan, China, Korea, Europe, and America, NODWIN is focused on delivering to emerging and lower-cost markets like the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Turkey, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and CIS countries. “Additionally, promising opportunities are visible in Latin American markets like Mexico and Brazil,” the co-founder added.

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