Indian AVGC Ecosystem Levels Up: WinZO Takes Indigenous Technology & Culture Global

Games include games inspired by Indian epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata, Chola Empire, an action-adventure set in a bustling Indian city, a temple construction simulation, a virtual reality cricket experience, and more.

The initiative will showcase the vibrant tapestry of Indian talent, from culturally relevant games to groundbreaking technologies that are Made in Bharat for the World

WinZO, India's largest vernacular interactive entertainment platform, announced the 10 winners from a pool of over 150 participating technology and gaming companies for its flagship “Bharat Tech Triumph” initiative. The winning companies through the program would be showcasing their products in the first-ever India Pavilion at the world’s largest gaming conference, Game Developer Conference (GDC) in San Francisco next month.

WinZO had launched the 'Bharat Tech Triumph' initiative to establish a global platform uniting leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, visionaries, and various stakeholders, all committed to fostering innovation and export of technology from India. This collective effort reflects WinZO’s dedication to the vision outlined by the Honorable Prime Minister and President for 'Made in Bharat for India & the World,' aligning with initiatives like Digital India, Startup India, and Make in India. Just as IT services spurred growth in recent decades, innovation in technology and content development holds the potential to establish Bharat as a powerhouse of technological innovation, shaping the next era of technology and contributing to the vision of achieving a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030.

The winners feature a diverse range of games, including those inspired by Indian epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata, the Chola Empire, an action-adventure set in a bustling Indian city, a temple construction simulation, a virtual reality cricket experience, and more. The winners were selected after a rigorous process led by eminent juries of industry veterans, including Rakesh Dubey, additional director of STPI - Software Technology Parks of India, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s initiative focusing on software exports; Rajesh Raju, Managing Partner of Kalaari; Justin Shriram Keeling, Founding General Partner at Lumikai; Anand Jain, Co-Founder and CPO at CleverTap; and Neha Yadav, Head of Gametech Segment, India, AWS.

Paavan Nanda, Co-Founder of WinZO, stated, “We are fortunate to receive support in bringing together the vibrant energy and dynamism of Indian entrepreneurs onto a global platform. By showcasing inspiring stories of Indian entrepreneurs and startups, WinZO aims to ignite the spirit of technological innovation and export culturally relevant content that can deepen the understanding of India's culture and society. Content and gaming have the power to bridge cultures, foster understanding, and facilitate cultural exchanges, all of which are essential in making India a global superpower.”

“WinZO's initiative celebrates the ingenuity and innovation of India's startup ecosystem. The company aims to acknowledge our nation's vast talent pool. It extends a crucial gateway to the global gaming arena, including coveted access to GDC for forging partnerships and gaining insights from global leaders. We are proud of WinZO for empowering the startup community and paving the way for unparalleled opportunities for India's gaming community to thrive globally," expressed Rajesh Raju, Managing Director, Kalaari Capital.

“Thanks a lot to WinZO for hosting such an amazing event. I’m very happy to showcase Mumbai Gullies for the first time at GDC, the world's biggest platform for technology and gaming trade. Mumbai represents dreams and relentless efforts to chase those dreams in India. We hope that through initiatives like this, Indian gaming can continue to thrive and make significant contributions to the world stage," said Nikhil Malankar, founder of the studio behind Mumbai Gullies.

The winners of the Bharat Tech Triumph include:

"Kurukshetra," an epic card-based strategy game inspired by the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

"Mumbai Gullies," an action-adventure game set in the bustling city of Mumbai.

"Shri Ram Mandir," a simulation/arcade game enabling players to construct the iconic temple.

“ScarFall," a multiplayer battle royale shooting game.

"Invrse Cricket," a virtual reality cricket game offering an immersive experience.

"Bloom," a charming narrative-driven puzzle game.

"Mayanagari," India's premier Hindi 3D open-world gangster game.

"Unsung Empire: The Cholas," a 3D action-adventure game featuring sword-based combat.

“Spook A Boo,” a physics-based couch co-op game that promises a console-like experience

Last year, WinZO pioneered the India Pavilion at the Brazil Game Show (BGS) in São Paulo, the largest gaming exhibition in Latin America, fostering collaborations among numerous game tech companies. The Bharat Tech Triumph initiative now aims to empower gaming developers to represent themselves in other leading markets, further solidifying India's foothold in the global gaming arena and promoting Indian leadership. The company facilitated over 100 partner game developers in exporting games such as Carrom, Chess, and Car Race, providing them with free access to Brazil, the fourth-largest mobile gaming market boasting over 90 million users. It also promoted the adoption of indigenous Indian games such as Ludo, Carrom and Snake and Ladders to new markets and audiences in Brazil. WinZO remains steadfast in its commitment to propel Bharat's transformation into a preeminent hub for game development on the global stage.

About WinZO

WinZO is the largest interactive entertainment platform in India. Launched in early 2018, the Company partners with third-party developers to host games on their Android app, where users can enjoy personalized multiplayer gameplay experiences. The platform is available in 12 languages such as English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, and Bhojpuri, with over 175 million registered users in India and Brazil. The WinZO platform facilitates over 4 billion micro-transactions per month across a portfolio of 100+ games. WinZO is focused on building an enthusiastic community of gamers and gaming influencers in Tier 2 – 5 cities in India. The Company envisions a future where the WinZO platform can deliver a culturally relevant and enjoyable experience in the Indian gaming ecosystem, monetized through a unique micro-transaction model.

WinZO, a series-C funded venture, has raised $100 million from Marquee gaming and entertainment investors such as Griffin Gaming partners, Courtside ventures, Maker’s fund, all of whom made their first investment in the Indian start-up ecosystem through WinZO.