DPIIT, WinZO partner to boost India’s gaming ecosystem

To accelerate India’s presence in the global gaming industry, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has entered into a strategic partnership with WinZO, India’s largest social gaming and interactive entertainment platform.

The two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is designed to nurture over 2,000 interactive entertainment startups, students, influencers, and innovators through a series of mentorship programs, workshops, hackathons, and accelerator initiatives, aligning with India’s ambition to capture a larger share of the $300 billion global gaming market.

This collaboration focuses on developing a robust ecosystem that will equip entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and global exposure necessary to thrive in the fast-evolving interactive entertainment landscape. The initiative is in direct alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for an Atmanirbhar Bharat, aiming to position India as a global leader in gaming and technology.

A centerpiece of this partnership is the establishment of a Center of Excellence (CoE), a collaborative effort between DPIIT and WinZO. The CoE will focus on creating a high-skilled, industry-ready workforce, with a particular emphasis on nurturing innovation, monetizing Indian gaming assets, and developing world-class ‘Made in India’ intellectual property. These efforts are expected to boost foreign direct investment (FDI), foster innovation in monetization strategies, and expand India’s influence in the global gaming market.

India’s interactive entertainment sector is poised for exponential growth, with projections indicating the market could reach $60 billion by 2034, generating over 2 million jobs, as per a recent USISPF report. Through this partnership, DPIIT and WinZO aim to harness this potential by providing startups with access to essential resources, cutting-edge skills in areas like coding, animation, game design, and development, as well as a $50 million fund for interactive entertainment ventures.

WinZO’s flagship Tech Triumph Program (Bharat Edition), which has already showcased Indian gaming talent at global forums like the Game Developers Conference (GDC) and Gamescom LATAM, will be expanded under this MoU. The program will continue identifying and mentoring the brightest minds in India’s gaming ecosystem, further bolstering India’s global presence.

Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, said: “This partnership marks a significant milestone in empowering India’s interactive entertainment sector. Through our collaboration with WinZO, we aim to create a thriving startup ecosystem, foster innovation, and position India as a global leader in gaming and technology innovation.”

Dr. Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director (Startup India) at DPIIT, added: “This initiative will provide not just a platform for startups but also a talent pipeline that will help India lead the global gaming industry. We are committed to building an ecosystem that promotes entrepreneurship and positions India at the forefront of interactive entertainment.”

Saumya Singh Rathore, Co-Founder of WinZO, expressed: “This MoU is a transformative step in creating a globally competitive interactive entertainment ecosystem. Our vision is to not only foster innovation within India but also elevate Indian intellectual property to the global stage. This collaboration will help fuel foreign investment, nurture world-class talent, and establish India as a leader in the gaming and technology sectors.”

Through this historic collaboration, DPIIT and WinZO aim to significantly enhance India’s position in the global gaming market, contribute to the creation of world-class gaming IP, and empower startups to compete on the international stage. This partnership underscores India’s growing importance in the digital economy and its ability to innovate at the intersection of entertainment and technology.

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