KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator Expands Its Startup Cohort

KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI) has broadened its second startup cohort, increasing the number of participating studios from four to six. The latest addition comprises Kcleanup Games and Singular Scheme from Mumbai, Advaita Interactive from Kolkata, Smash Head Studio from Bengaluru, Unwind Games from Hyderabad, and Ginger Games from New Delhi.

This expansion allows KIGI to enhance its reach into various regions, including emerging gaming hotspots like Kolkata and Madurai. The organisation indicates that the programme will maintain its commitment to offering mentorship that lasts anywhere between six to twelve months, alongside providing financial support of up to $150,000 per studio.

To foster development, KIGI has established collaborations with AWS, AccelByte, App Magic, and GameRefinery. These partnerships will deliver essential backend tools, cloud credits, market analytics, and insights about competitors. AccelByte will assist studios in incorporating key features into their games, whereas AWS will focus on backend infrastructure, and GameRefinery alongside App Magic will provide valuable data to aid in design and market strategy.

Diverse Game Types in the New Cohort

The second cohort showcases a wider variety of game genres. One studio based in Kolkata is creating a detective-themed game that employs artificial intelligence to unravel murder mysteries. Additionally, a PC game is being developed as part of this group.

About KRAFTON and Its Investment in Indian Startups

KRAFTON was established in 2023 and originates from South Korea, famous for its gaming titles like PUBG and Subnautica. In addition to KIGI, KRAFTON has made prior investments in numerous Indian gaming startups and esports platforms. The company has poured over $200 million into Indian startups since 2021, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to empowering local game developers. With the rising passion for both cricket and gaming in India, this initiative solidifies KRAFTON’s influence in the Indian gaming ecosystem.