OCTOBER 20259This unique alchemy blending desi gamer passion with blockchain precision revives funding not as charity, but as co-creation, where a 500 NFT buy-in yields equity-like returns through token appreciation and ecosystem grants. With India's 500 million+ gamers, this model taps untapped potential, especially in Tier-2/3 cities where mobile-first NFTs bridge fiat-scarce creators to global capital.5 Startups Sculpting the Desi FrontierThese pioneers aren't cloning global hits, they're architecting bespoke worlds rooted in Indian lore, where NFTs underpin narrative depth and economic sovereignty. Each round detailed below sourced from verified announcements highlights precise amounts, dates, and leadership, underscoring the precision of this revival.SuperGamingRoby John - Founder & CEOIndus Empire's Sovereign SurgePune-based SuperGaming, creators of the battle royale Indus, channeled $15 million in Series B funding on August 6, 2025, valuing the studio at $100 million. Co-led by Skycatcher and Steadview Capital, with participation from a16z Speedrun and Bandai Namco, the capital accelerates web3 integrations like NFT clans and land deeds.Total funding now hits $20 million, fueling console ports and AI-driven matchmaking. By tokenizing guild economies, SuperGaming revives regional funding droughts India's web3 gaming TVL jumped 150 percent post-round empowering 10 million players as co-owners in a post-colonial digital realm.KGeNManish Agarwal - Co-FounderKarma Engine's Playful ResurrectionMumbai's KGeN, the blockchain gaming rewards platform, minted $13.5 million in a strategic round, elevating total funding to $43.5 million. Led by Jump Crypto, with Accel and Prosus joining, this infusion powers cross-game NFT rewards and loyalty ecosystems.KGeN's `Karma Engine' turns playtime into tokenized badges, redeemable across titles. This round resurrects inclusive funding by rewarding casual gamers early adopters saw 4x returns via quests driving 1.2 million monthly users and a 200 percent spike in engagement for partnered studios.STANParth Chadha, Co-Founder & CEOSocial Threads of Mobile MayhemBengaluru's STAN, the Aptos-based mobile gaming community app, secured $8.5 million in seed funding from a powerhouse syndicate including Square Enix, Bandai Namco, Nazara, Google's AI Futures Fund, Reazon Holdings, and Aptos Labs.This capital weaves NFT social features like tradable avatars and clan vaults into casual multiplayer hubs.Total raised, $10 million. STAN revives community-driven funding user-minted NFTs fund dev bounties fostering 500,000 DAUs and positioning it as India's web3 social layer for esports.IndiGGManish Khanna - FounderYield Guild's Indigenous IgnitionDelhi-headquartered IndiGG, Yield Guild Games' India arm, ignited $6 million in seed funding led by Sequoia Capital India, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Variant Fund, Play Ventures, Dune Ventures, and Jump Capital. Focused on play-to-earn scholarships, this bolsters NFT asset rentals for underbanked gamers.Total funding, $12 million. IndiGG resurrects access funding scholar NFTs yield 30 percent royalties to holders onboarding 50,000 rural players and amplifying TVL by 120 percent in regional P2E ecosystems.RARIOAnkit Wadhwa, Co-Founder & CEOCricket Collectibles' Royal RevivalGurugram's RARIO, the cricket NFT gaming pioneer, revived with $5 million in a bridge round led by Animoca Brands and Hashed, alongside Polygon and CoinDCX. Post-2022 pivot, this fuels immersive P2E cricket leagues with tokenized player cards.· Gamers become stakeholders through tokenized ownership.· SuperGaming, KGeN, STAN, IndiGG, and RARIO drive India's NFT gaming revival.· NFTs enable in-game assets, governance, and revenue sharing.
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