#KIGIMentorInsights Presenting the second insightful feature of our KIGI Mentor Insights Series, featuring Dave Curd, one of our distinguished mentors at KIGI. In this piece, Dave, Vice President and Creative Director delves into the unique challenges of mentoring gaming startups in India. Drawing on his extensive expertise and global perspective, he highlights the remarkable potential and resilience of the Indian gaming market and shares insights into nurturing talent within this rapidly evolving landscape. Dave outlines: At KIGI, my primary goal as a mentor is to guide our teams in finding their unique voice early on, setting them apart from their inspirations. One of the most valuable lessons for new developers is understanding what efforts pay the highest dividends. That means identifying the project’s distinct value proposition and cutting through the “messy middle” of game development to focus on what truly resonates. Mentoring gaming startups in India has its unique challenges, particularly because the gaming economy here is still in its early stages. Unlike more established markets, where infrastructure and resources for gaming development are readily accessible, Indian startups are navigating a rapidly evolving landscape where resources, player expectations, and market insights are still emerging. This means helping teams balance their creativity with strategic thinking—understanding where to invest their time and how to make the most impact. Navigating questions like, What should we refine versus discard? Do we polish existing elements, or sharpen the core loop? are essential for creating an experience that feels authentic and engaging while allowing players the freedom to explore. In this market, understanding consumer demands in India and blending those with global trends is critical. Yet, I encourage our teams to create for themselves first—to look inward and develop something that genuinely excites them. Despite the challenges, working with Indian startups has been incredibly rewarding. It’s inspiring to see the resilience and ambition of young developers, as they push boundaries and build games that speak to both local and global audiences. At the end of the day, creators worldwide are all just trying to find the fun, and I'm here to support that journey. Looking forward to seeing how these talented creators help shape the future of gaming in India and beyond! #KRAFTONforIndia #gamingforIndia #KIGI #Incubationprogram #gamedevelopment #gamingtalent #technology #mentorship Anuj Sahani Nidhi G. Shubham Sood Biswarup Gooptu Manva Hunswadkar
KRAFTON India’s Post
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Last week, I just got an interesting opportunity for mentoring Virtuwed.id, a Bandung-based tech startup that brings virtual technology to make weddings easier to access. Interesting premise, really. On this occasion, Virtuwed are seeking an opportunity for product-market fit (PMF), a stage that is quite tricky for startups. Virtuwed are established by four aspiring founders: Muhammad Agy Nurwicaksono, Mugia Choir, Elang Fajar Buana and Hasnat Ferdiananda Although they’re still in their 20’s (even Hasnat just graduated from high school!), their passion for entrepreneurship and their grit toward vision and mission are peerless. During the mentorship session, I’m trying to bring the team to expand their perspective about the wedding—that wedding is more than just an event. As a married person, I’m trying to provide a rich insight about the wedding and behavioral dynamics behind that. For many people, a wedding is not just only a mere ceremonial event, but also a cornerstone in life. It marks the identity shifting for the spouse and more than often people are expecting it to be a once in a lifetime event; thus wishing it become an unforgettable moment. It is fascinating to see the team are fired-up and responding enthusiastically. I also highlight the importance of fostering a strong tie between founders and having the same vision. I only wish a good luck and smooth sail for Virtuwed’s team on their journey to explore further. #startup #mentor #mentoring
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Scaling Your Startup in India: 5 Proven Strategies for Success 🇮🇳 Scaling a startup is no easy feat, especially in a dynamic market like India. With its diverse customer base, rapidly evolving technology, and unique regional nuances, founders need the right strategies to grow sustainably. Read the full post on BestStartup.in for more insights! 👇 https://lnkd.in/dnzVRc4g #StartupIndia #Entrepreneurship #ScalingStartups #BusinessGrowth #IndianStartups #TechForGrowth #Innovation #StartupJourney #BestStartup
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Yesterday, the day began like any other—a usual Thursday, with the grind of work and plans for our startup Bharat Esports Hub. Little did I know, I was about to experience a profound shift in how I view pitching, all thanks to an inspiring session by Vijay Kakwani. Alongside my co-founder, Deep Patel, I stepped into the session, hosted by GUSEC and thoughtfully organised by Sanyam Chhajed. I expected practical advice, maybe a few tips on slides or stats. But what unfolded was so much more—it was a masterclass in the art of storytelling, something I hadn’t realised was such a game-changer for pitching. Vijay sir didn’t just teach us how to pitch; he showed us how to be remembered. “Your first few minutes are precious,” he said. “Hook your audience. Make them want to listen. Tell them a story they won’t forget.” His words resonated deeply, and with each example he shared, it became clear just how powerful storytelling could be. The best part? It wasn’t a one-sided lecture. Vijay sir made it dynamic. He showed us real pitches and challenged us to decode the storytelling techniques used. It wasn’t just learning—it was a playful, eye-opening exercise that kept us on our toes. With every guess, every interaction, the concepts cemented themselves in our minds. As the session wrapped up, I found myself brimming with ideas and inspiration. My perspective had transformed. Storytelling wasn’t just an add-on; it was the heart of a great pitch. I could already see how these lessons could shape the future of my own presentations. A huge shoutout to Vijay Kakwani for weaving such an unforgettable session and to GUSEC and Sanyam Chhajed for curating this amazing opportunity. It wasn’t just a session—it was a spark that’ll help us turn our pitches into stories worth telling. Seems like I also can cook up a bit of a story after yesterday's session 😉 #Storytelling #PitchPerfect #StartupJourney #Entrepreneurship #GUSEC #Leadership #PublicSpeaking #StartupIndia #Innovation #BeMemorable #PitchingTips #Networking #EsportsIndia #BharatEsportsHub #FounderLife #GrowthMindset #LearningNeverStops
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🚀 The #Startup Galaxy: A trailblazer's blueprint 🚀 The journey to success is like leveling up in a #videogame, filled with challenges and #epicbattles. Let's dive into the key buffs and power-ups that can help us ace our quest. 🏢 #Incubation Centers: The #launchpads 🏢 With cutting-edge #infrastructure and expert guidance, these hubs of creativity and #collaboration are the perfect launchpad for aspiring #entrepreneurs. 🤝 #Mentorship: Leveling Up with a Guide 🤝 Every hero needs a mentor, and we are no exception. #Mentors offer invaluable insights and #battletested wisdom, helping us navigate the treacherous waters of #startuplife. 💰 #Funding: Fueling the tank 💰 Securing funding is like finding a legendary #treasurechest in the startup world. Venture capital firms are the guardians of these riches, providing us with the #financialbacking we need to conquer new markets. 📝 #Registration #Compliance: Thrashing the #LegalMaze 📝 Just like in a game, we must abide by the rules of the land to avoid getting stuck in #legalquicksand. From registering their business to complying with #regulatoryrequirements, we must stay on the right side of the law. 📊 TAM, TOM, and SOM: #MarketMapping 📊 Our #sales begin with a map, and TAM, TOM, and SOM are the key coordinates. These metrics help us chart our course, identify #potentialmarkets and #targetaudience. ⚠️ #StartupNightmares: Overcoming fears ⚠️ From #brandingbattles to #marketingmishaps, we must be prepared to face the unexpected. By staying #lean we can turn even the darkest nightmares into opportunities for growth. So buzz up, fellow entrepreneurs, and #MakeinIndia to create #AtmanirbharBharat and conquer the world! 🌟 #EntrepreneursJourney #StartupNightmares #Atmanirbhar #MakeInIndia #Branding #Marketing #NewGenerationGaming #Esports #SalesCoach #game #gamesimulation #AIGames #LearningthroughGames #eathlete #esportz #leagueoflegends #gamers Sanzen Excellence Company Sanzen Taskforce Brando ZBD Sales Studio LLP Medhavi Rudra Mudit Singh
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Reflecting on my entrepreneurial journey with NOTEPLAY LIFESTYLE 🌟 In 2022, I embarked on a journey into entrepreneurship with NOTEPLAY, armed with nothing but a passion for quality products and a drive to make a mark in the market. Despite lacking prior business experience, I took on the challenge of sourcing products directly from manufacturers and successfully launched our first product single-handedly. The initial response from customers and the market was incredibly encouraging, validating the potential of NOTEPLAY in the industry. Starting with minimal capital and without a team or formal guidance, I navigated the complexities of bringing a product to market, learning invaluable lessons along the way. However, as the demand grew, so did the challenges. I faced the stark reality of needing to scale the business to meet market demands but found myself constrained by a lack of capital. Despite my efforts to secure funding and mentorship from investors and VCs, I encountered rejection at every turn. Reflecting on this journey, I often wonder about the decision to start NOTEPLAY and invest my savings. It was a leap of faith driven by passion and determination, but the roadblocks proved formidable. Now, after careful consideration, I find myself at a crossroads where I must make the difficult decision to shut down the business. While this chapter may be coming to a close, I am grateful for the lessons learned, the support received from customers and partners, and the resilience gained through this experience. Thank you to everyone who believed in NOTEPLAY and supported us along the way. Your encouragement meant the world to me. As I take this moment to reflect, I remain optimistic about the future. I look forward to applying the lessons learned from NOTEPLAY to new opportunities ahead. Here's to embracing challenges, learning from setbacks, and continuing to pursue entrepreneurial dreams with unwavering determination. #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #LessonsLearned #ReflectingOnTheJourney #westbengal #siliguri D2C Insider #startupindia angelinvest Incubation Centre IIT Patna (IC IITP) Incubation Capital Partners JBL Professional Skullcandy Inc. Bose Ventures skillindiainfo Mentorship India Startup Mentorship GrowthSchool
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What if PVR and theaters start to have education program running to survive the industry? While some this is already started. PVR Cinemas has partnered with India Accelerator (IA) - to launch a mentorship and - accelerator program aimed at seed-stage startups in - the media and entertainment space. This 16-week program will support startups innovating in areas - such as ticket booking, -movie viewing, and - fan engagement. It will provide access to PVR-IA’s infrastructure, mentoring, and funding opportunities, culminating in a demo day Do follow me Pranjul Gupta 🍀, For more updates and observations #Investing #Linkedin #India #Finance #Investmentbanking
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Following up on the events we hosted in India earlier this year, SportsTechX is running Startup Spotlight India 🚀 We're shining our spotlight on Indian SportsTech Startups, giving them a chance to showcase their great work. If you're an Indian tech startup working on an innovative solution for sports, fitness, or gaming then you should check this out. Here's how this goes: 1. Click on the link below to submit an application. 2. Shortlisted companies will be invited to virtually pitch to a jury in early June. 3. The winner will get media coverage and SportsTechX services worth over €10,000. Including a feature in the first ever 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒, out in June. Applications close on May 31st, 2024. Send in your entries right here: https://lnkd.in/eMxYxmZ2 📢 Tag any Indian companies that this might be relevant to. To stay up to date with our latest announcements, subscribe to our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/e_aXrR5d
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⭐️ Really interesting startups coming up in the Indic-heritage inspired cultural entrepreneurship space. For example, was intrigued when I recently came to know about an Indic Heritage based board game called Ranbhoomi, as it struck a different chord of variety. So I thought I would give it a try, as my younger self had a fair share of interest in board games. Approaching it with no expectations, the level of detailing in this board game really took me by surprise. It had global standards in it's design and conceptualization. What impressed me most was Astra (Weapon) cards for battles within the game. Appreciate the Sutradhar team for the intense research that would have gone behind studying each of the astras, it's effects and counter weapons. For kids, this would be a super engaging way of discussing the Mahabharata battlefield stories. Even if one does not know anything about the epics, very straightforward to engage. It is also good to see that there is a larger ecosystem support for such cultural enterprises through efforts like NICEorg - Network of Indian Cultural Enterprises Any other such heritage inspired game startups that caught your attention, drop suggestions in comments #india #heritage #culture #boardgames #play #history #entrepreneurship #startups
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"Solving not just for India, but for the world" – Bhavin Pandya, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Games24x7 At the TechXpedite launch, Bhavin shared a compelling vision for India's entrepreneurial ecosystem: a shift toward solving complex, global challenges by leveraging the country’s unmatched talent and innovative mindset. The essence of TechXpedite is to inspire startups to move beyond conventional ideas, explore the synergy of hardware and software, and tackle real-world problems—creating solutions that not only impact India but resonate on a global scale. If you’re ready to turn your vision into reality, TechXpedite is your platform to scale. Gain mentorship, resources, and the network to drive real-world impact. Applications close November 25th. Apply now: https://bit.ly/txpdapp #TechXpedite2024 #Games24x7 #EmpoweringStartups #Innovation #StartupIndia
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#StartingUp Pivot! Pivot! Pivooooottt!! I'm sure all the founders out there can relate to Ross Geller from Friends. Nobody understand or goes through pivoting as much as founders do. Building a start up is like growing up. I'm sure we all went through different phases, some even makes us cringe, but it was necessary to become who we are today. I remember sitting with Dilip Bharadwaj at the balcony of our temporary home at Vrindavan during Holi. While Holi is all about DJ parties and alcohol in Bangalore, the same festival was about temples and traditions in UP, India. We talked about all the unique experiences we've had across various festivals throughout the country and shared our love & appreciation for each culture. We were discussing how diverse our country was when we thought we had an epiphany. We wanted to bring the cultural aspect of our country on a global platform; We wanted to present the eternal cultural mosaic we had to the people across the world. We thought we had a game-changer and would be rich soon only to be woken up by to reality. From cultural tours to motorcycle expeditions across Asia, Aibo Xp has come a long way. Similar to us, a start ups go through n-number of itineration before its stable and mature. While pivot might mean change in one or more attribute of the business, the core essence and the values of the company stays the same. At Aibo Xp, we still explore the cultural diversities and often visit unique festivals across Asia but coupled with motorcycle adventure. More about my journey on building Aibo in subsequent posts. Adapt. Improvise. Overcome #StartUpJourney #Pivot #AiboXp #BuildingStartUp [Startup Journey, Building Start ups, Pivoting Ideas, Starting Up, Building a company]
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