DPIIT, WinZO sign MoU to Propel India's Interactive Entertainment Ecosystem
In a landmark development poised to redefine India’s position 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) aims to accelerate the growth of India’s interactive entertainment sector by fostering innovation, creating skilled talent, and scaling startups to compete on a global stage.
This first-of-its-kind collaboration will focus on building a robust ecosystem of over 2,000 startups, innovators, and students, providing them with mentorship, industry insights, and access to global opportunities. By aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat in gaming and technology, this initiative seeks to establish India as a global leader in interactive entertainment, capturing a significant share of the $300 billion global gaming market.
Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, added, “Through our collaboration with WinZO, we aim to foster innovation, promote entrepreneurship, and empower startups to manufacture products of global standards”.
Saumya Singh Rathore, Co-Founder of WinZO, said, “This MoU is a transformative step toward creating an ecosystem that not only fosters innovation for India but also positions Indian products and intellectual property on the global stage”.
Central to this partnership is the establishment of a Center of Excellence (CoE) by WinZO, in collaboration with DPIIT. The CoE will serve as a launchpad for startups and entrepreneurs, focusing on critical aspects such as building a skilled, industry-ready workforce, innovating monetization strategies for Indian gaming assets, developing ‘Made in India’ intellectual property for global markets of world-class quality, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and driving manufacturing of interactive technology products in India. By addressing long-standing challenges such as monetization and talent gaps, the CoE will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of India’s gaming and interactive entertainment industry.
Dr. Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director (Startup India), DPIIT, emphasized, “By providing resources, mentorship, and global exposure, we are not just creating startups but building a pipeline of talent and innovation that will place India at the forefront of the global gaming industry.”
According to a recent USISPF report, India’s interactive entertainment sector is projected to grow to $60 billion by 2034, creating over 2 million jobs. The DPIIT-WinZO partnership is designed to harness this potential by nurturing startups through hackathons, workshops, accelerator programs, and curated pitch events.
Additionally, the MoU will expand WinZO’s flagship Tech Triumph Program (Bharat Edition), a platform for identifying and mentoring India’s top game developers.
The MoU also focuses on bridging the talent gap in the sector by equipping professionals with cutting-edge skills in coding, animation, game design, and development. The CoE will provide startups with opportunities to access WinZO’s $50 million fund for interactive entertainment ventures, mentorship from industry leaders, and direct connections with investors.