Nazara Technologies, firm backed by big bull Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, became the first Indian gaming technology
company to seek a market debut. Mumbai-based mobile gaming company filed initial public offering documents
with the market regulators on Friday.
Founded by gamer Nitish Mittersain in 2000, Nazara is one of the largest interactive gaming and sports media
companies in India. The company is known for its games on World Cricket Championship and Chhota Bheem and
Motu Patlu series. Its subsidiary Nodwin Gaming hosts multiple gaming events across the country. It has operations
in over 60 countries across emerging markets including India, Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia and Latin
America.
The company’s platform hosts several content categories comprising subscription business, Freemium business and
Esports business. Thanks to global boom in smartphone gaming, Nazara has built a strong network of millions of
subscribers in the last few years.
To strengthen its position in the gaming and sports media space, Nazara undertook investments and acquisitions in
various gaming categories, including Esports, edutainment, infotainment, fantasy sports, multiplayer games like
carrom and mobile cricket games over the years.
The company owns IPs, including WCC and CarromClash in mobile games, Kiddopia in gamified early learning,
NODWIN and Sportskeeda in esports and esports media, and Halaplay and Qunami in skill-based, fantasy and
trivia games.
Besides Jhujhunwala, Plutus Wealth Management, IIFL Special Opportunities Fund, Turtle Entertainment are other
key investors. Earlier this month, Plutus Wealth Management LLP and its associates acquired shares worth over 500
crore of the company from WestBridge.
The company had received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India for its initial public offering in
2018. According to the draft papers of listing, Nazara’s public issue will see sale of 5,543,052 equity shares.
Explaining the rationale behind the IPO, the company said, “The listing will also provide a public market for equity
shares in India. ICICI Securities and Edelweiss Financial Services will manage the company’s IPO, according to draft
papers.
Nazara Technologies consolidated revenue for financial year 2019 stood at Rs 183 crore. It generated Rs 180 crore revenue for the year 2018.
South Africa Today
Read more at VolaNews
