Ajey Nagar, also known as CarryMinati on YouTube, and his business partner Deepak Char have invested in Mumbai-based Big Bang Esports Private Limited. The two have each taken a 10% stake in Big Bang Media Ventures' esports division.
Madhu Mantena, a film producer, and Ravneet Gill, a former banker, own the company. Together with Nagar, the esports company intends to build and establish its upcoming property Asia Open Esports Championship. The International Esports Federation (IESF) announced a strategic partnership with Big Bang Esports to launch the inaugural edition of the championship in December 2022. The IESF is the world's governing body for esports. It began with nine member nations in 2008 and now has 130 member federations from five continents.
Big Bang Media Ventures Pvt Ltd, on the other hand, is a co-promoter of content houses Phantom Films and Mythoverse Studios, as well as a founding investor in creator-led businesses such as Collective Artists Network, BGBNG Music, and Big Bang Social, amongst others. The championship will begin in February and will feature approximately 40 Asian and Middle Eastern countries. In its first edition, it will be held virtually and will feature four esports titles: eFootball, Dota2, Clash of Clans, Real Cricket, and PUBG Mobile (ex-India & Bangladesh).
CarryMinati said, “I am pleased to join the family of Big Bang Esports Pvt. Ltd. and become a stakeholder along with my business partner. India is one of the fastest-growing esports markets in the world. The growth of esports in India has been phenomenal in recent years, and this boom will only gain momentum with more vigour and pace in the coming few years. Esports has held a significant influence in my career trajectory and hence this partnership is a natural fit.."Deepak Char said, “India will emerge as one of the leading gaming capitals of the world in the near future, given that the government has now recognized gaming as a sport and this partnership will open doorways for many exciting developments to occur in the e-sports arena. The development of esports is a movement and needs the support of all stakeholders from the community to make it a success."
Mantena went on to say that CarryMinati will join them in co-creating an esports culture that fosters not only champion gamers but also the spirit of participation while rewriting the future of sport. According to the FICCI-EY media and entertainment report 2022, 'Tuning into Consumer,' despite people returning to work as the pandemic's effects faded, the online gaming segment grew 28% in 2021 to reach 101 billion. It stated that the number of online gamers has increased by 8% from 360 million in 2020 to 390 million in 2021, with real money gaming accounting for more than 70% of the segment's revenue.