How Friends-Turned-Entrepreneurs are Shaping India’s Gaming and Esports Ecosystem

New Delhi, August 5, 2024: 

Gaming has long been recognized as a medium for forming friendships and connections. A report by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) found that 42% of gamers met a good friend, spouse or significant other through video games. Some of these gaming friends have turned their shared passion into successful entrepreneurial ventures.

One notable example is NODWIN Gaming, a leading South Asian gaming and esports company. Co-founders Akshat Rathee and Gautam Virk met while playing StarCraft 2 and founded NODWIN in 2014 to address a gap in India’s esports infrastructure. Today, the company is valued at $349 million and organizes global esports events.

“Teaming up with a friend brings trust, understanding, and complementary skills, which are crucial for navigating entrepreneurship,” said Gautam Virk, Co-founder and CEO of NODWIN Gaming.

SuperGaming, a Series-A funded game developer known for titles like MaskGun and Battle Stars, was founded by friends Roby John and Navneet Waraich. Their friendship began in 2002, and their shared passion for gaming led to the creation of SuperGaming. “Entrepreneurship is an emotional roller coaster, and having someone who understands you makes all the difference,” said Roby John, Co-founder and CEO of SuperGaming.

Max Level, a holistic marketing and PR agency, was founded by gamers Nishant Patel, Rakesh Ramchandran, and Siddharth Nayyar. Reconnected through gaming, their friendship and shared ambition led to the launch of Max Level. “Our shared love for gaming was the starting point, but the strength of our friendship has helped us overcome numerous challenges,” commented Siddharth Nayyar, Chief Revenue Officer and Co-founder of Max Level.

As we recently celebrated Friendship Day, these stories highlight how trust and mutual support among friends can drive entrepreneurial success and inspire future generations of gamers and entrepreneurs.