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Bitkraft Ventures Doubles Down on India’s Gaming Market!

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Bitkraft Ventures Doubles Down on India's Gaming Market!

US-based venture capital firm Bitkraft Ventures is strengthening its presence in India’s burgeoning gaming industry by appointing Anuj Tandon, a seasoned gaming industry veteran, as a partner to lead its Indian operations. This strategic move underscores Bitkraft’s commitment to tapping into one of the fastest-growing gaming markets in the world.

Anuj Tandon’s Background

Tandon brings a wealth of experience to Bitkraft, having previously held key positions at JetSynthesys and Krafton. His extensive background includes nearly 15 years in the gaming sector, where he has excelled as an entrepreneur, executive, and investor. Most recently, he served as the CEO of JetSynthesys’ gaming unit, managing all its gaming assets and driving significant growth. Before that, he was the head of corporate development for Krafton in India and the MENA region, where he developed strategies and built an investment portfolio of local video game and esports startups.

Tandon’s impressive track record includes leading investments exceeding $135 million in various startups, such as mobile game development studios Nautilus Mobile and Lila Games, as well as esports firm Nodwin Gaming. His experience positions him well to identify and nurture promising gaming ventures in India.

Bitkraft’s Investment Strategy

Bitkraft’s third fund, launched in April 2023 with a corpus of $275 million, will be pivotal in supporting early-stage gaming and interactive media companies in India. The firm is actively exploring investment opportunities across various stages, from seed funding to Series B rounds. Tandon emphasized that while Bitkraft is known for its seed and Series A investments globally, their strategy for India will be customized to meet local market needs.

The Growth of India’s Gaming Industry

India’s gaming industry has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, driven by factors such as increasing smartphone penetration, affordable data plans, and a rising young population. A report by Lumikai indicated that India’s paid gamer base surged to 148 million in FY24, with the industry generating revenues of $3.8 billion, marking a 22.6% growth from the previous year. This rapid expansion has attracted significant interest from global investors like Bitkraft.

As Tandon takes the helm of Bitkraft’s Indian operations, the firm aims to capitalize on India’s gaming potential by supporting innovative startups that are shaping the future of the industry. With a growing middle class and increasing disposable income, India is positioned competitively on the global stage for gaming.

Future Prospects

Bitkraft Ventures is not alone in recognizing India’s potential; other international investors are also making significant commitments to the market. For instance, Japanese mobile entertainment company Mixi recently launched a $50 million corporate venture capital fund dedicated to India, while Krafton has pledged approximately $290 million into Indian gaming startups over the next few years.

Tandon expressed optimism about the untapped potential within India’s gaming ecosystem: “Bitkraft sees India’s potential and is committed to supporting our games and interactive media industry leaders with early-stage funding. We anticipate a significant increase in deal activity in the coming years.”

Conclusion

With Anuj Tandon at the helm, Bitkraft Ventures is poised to strengthen its foothold in India’s dynamic gaming market. His extensive experience and network will be invaluable in identifying and nurturing innovative startups that have the potential to drive further growth in this thriving sector. As Bitkraft continues to invest strategically in early-stage companies, it aims to play a crucial role in shaping the future of gaming and interactive media in India.

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. drover sointeru

    December 30, 2024 at 6:14 am

    Good day! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

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IIT Hyderabad Unveils Palyanka, Heavy-Lift Drone for Air Ambulance Use

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Hyderabad - Drone

The Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation Foundation (TiHAN) at IIT Hyderabad has set a new standard in drone technology with the launch of Palyanka, a heavy payload drone designed as an autonomous air ambulance. Capable of carrying up to 200 kg, Palyanka is engineered to swiftly transport patients, medical equipment, or critical cargo across challenging terrains, bypassing traditional barriers like road congestion and remote inaccessibility. This advanced UAV operates autonomously, making it highly effective for rapid response in both urban and rural emergencies, and stands at the forefront of disaster relief operations in scenarios such as floods and fires.

Built for versatility, Palyanka doesn’t just function as an air ambulance. Its robust design enables use in rescue missions, cargo deliveries, and even as an air taxi for metropolitan connectivity. Inspired by the Sanskrit word for palanquin, the name “Palyanka” reflects the drone’s role as a safe and efficient carrier. All components, from conceptual design to IP, have been developed in-house at IIT Hyderabad, ensuring the drone meets stringent standards for durability and performance under extreme conditions.

With a development journey spanning over five years and led by Prof. P. Rajalakshmi, TiHAN’s team has transitioned from early drone prototypes to a full-scale, high-capacity solution like Palyanka. The team is now preparing pilot projects in hilly terrains and working on further enhancing the drone’s endurance with innovative heat-resistant materials. By pioneering such indigenous solutions, IIT Hyderabad’s TiHAN is transforming emergency medical services and logistics, marking a pivotal advancement in India’s urban mobility and public safety landscape.

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X’s Major Price Cut in India: Premium Plans Now More Accessible Than Ever

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StartupStories

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has announced a major reduction in its subscription prices across India, slashing fees by up to 48%. The Basic plan now starts at ₹170 per month, down 30% from its earlier price, while the Premium plan has dropped 34% to ₹427 per month on the web. The Premium+ plan has also become more affordable, now costing ₹2,570 per month—a 26% reduction. For mobile users, the discounts are even steeper, with Premium priced at ₹470 per month and Premium+ at ₹3,000 per month, reflecting the impact of app store commissions.

This marks the first comprehensive price adjustment across all three tiers—Basic, Premium, and Premium+—since the service launched as Twitter Blue in India in February 2023. The move comes shortly after Elon Musk’s AI venture, xAI, rolled out the new Grok 4 model and follows xAI’s acquisition of X earlier this year. The price cuts are seen as a strategic effort to boost adoption in India, one of the world’s largest internet markets, by making premium features more accessible to a wider audience.

Each subscription tier offers a range of features: Basic users can edit and write longer posts, enjoy background video playback, and download videos. Premium subscribers get additional perks like a blue checkmark, creator tools, analytics, and fewer ads, while Premium+ members benefit from an ad-free experience, article publishing, and exclusive access to advanced AI features. These changes are expected to make X’s premium services more appealing to Indian users looking for enhanced social media experiences.

 

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Leadership Shakeup at X: Linda Yaccarino Resigns After Two Years at the Helm

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Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter), announced her resignation on July 9, 2025, bringing her two-year leadership of Elon Musk’s social media platform to a close. Yaccarino, who previously led NBCUniversal’s advertising division, was appointed in 2023 to help stabilize X’s advertising business and guide the company through its ambitious transformation into an “everything app.” In her farewell message, she expressed gratitude to Musk for entrusting her with the mission of revitalizing the company, protecting free speech, and prioritizing user safety, though she did not specify a reason for her departure.


Her exit comes at a turbulent moment for X, following the recent controversy involving Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Musk’s xAI, which posted antisemitic content referencing Adolf Hitler. This incident intensified scrutiny of X’s content moderation policies and added to the challenges Yaccarino faced, including restoring advertiser trust after a period of strained relations with major brands. Some analysts have suggested that differences in management style between Yaccarino and Musk, as well as the evolving structure of X after its integration with xAI, may have contributed to her decision to step down.

Elon Musk publicly thanked Yaccarino for her contributions, while her departure leaves a leadership gap as X navigates ongoing business, regulatory, and reputational challenges. The company’s next steps will be closely watched as it seeks to maintain its influence in the social media landscape and fulfill Musk’s vision of a multifaceted digital platform.

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