Nazara Technologies announces Rs 196cr investment across gaming and entertainment

Nazara Technologies Limited, India’s premier listed gaming and sports media company, has unveiled strategic investments worth INR 196 crore, underscoring its commitment to reshaping the gaming and entertainment landscapes. The Nazara Technologies investment strategy spans physical entertainment, AI-powered education platforms, and increased stakes in subsidiaries, solidifying its reputation as a global gaming leader.

The most significant highlight of this expansion is the Funky Monkeys acquisition, with Nazara securing a 60% stake in Funky Monkeys Play Centers Private Limited for INR 43.7 crore. Funky Monkeys operates 11 play centres across India, catering to children aged six months to 14 years. The brand’s interactive and unstructured play model aligns perfectly with Nazara’s mission to integrate gaming and entertainment. Founders Binita Putcha and Sanjay Ghadiali said the Nazara Technologies investment would help scale their operations and leverage synergies with digital IPs such as Kiddopia.

Another notable move is the LearnTube collaboration with Nazara, which involves a 4.7% stake in the AI-powered education platform for INR 4.2 crore. LearnTube offers personalised, gamified learning experiences to over 20 lakh learners. Co-founder Shronit Ladhani stated that this partnership represents a bold step in combining professional learning with interactive media innovation.

Strengthening existing pillars of growth

Beyond these new ventures, the Nazara Technologies investment plan includes significant funding for its subsidiaries. These investments underscore the company’s focus on gaming and entertainment growth across multiple verticals:

• Nodwin Gaming: Nazara is allocating INR 64 crore via optionally convertible preference shares to expand Nodwin’s global presence and intellectual property portfolio. This move enhances its position as a leader in sports media growth.
• Sportskeeda: With an investment of INR 69 crore, Nazara will convert Sportskeeda into a wholly owned subsidiary, furthering its mission to dominate the sports media growth sector.
• Datawrkz: A dedicated INR 15 crore investment in compulsorily convertible preference shares will fuel growth for this digital ad-tech company, essential to supporting gaming and entertainment ventures.

Nitish Mittersain, Nazara’s CEO, highlighted the company’s commitment to becoming a global gaming leader. He explained that the Funky Monkeys acquisition and the LearnTube collaboration with Nazara align with a broader vision of creating a comprehensive gaming and entertainment ecosystem.

An evolving portfolio

Nazara Technologies has established itself as a formidable force in gaming and esports, offering brands such as Kiddopia, Animal Jam, and the World Cricket Championship franchise. Its esports division, including Nodwin Gaming and Sportskeeda, anchors the company’s dominance in India. By blending digital and physical entertainment through ventures like Funky Monkeys and AI-powered education platforms such as LearnTube, Nazara continues to lead gaming and entertainment growth worldwide.

These strategic moves reaffirm Nazara’s position as a global gaming leader, bridging the gap between innovation and user engagement.