Founded in 2016, MyTeam11 was an idea conceived by Vinit Gondara and Sanjit Sihag while watching the semi-final match between India and Australia during the ICC World Cup 2015. The germination was fuelled in a need that arose – to build teams and create an environment that was player focused than team focused.
MyTeam11 is a fantasy app that is consumer-focussed and is trying to bridge the gap between a sports fan and the sport. Currently, MyTeam11 has a user base of 18 million+ across the country. The application features 10 sports including the likes of Cricket, Football, Kabaddi, Basketball, Rummy and Poker. You have a vast choice of contest options, from Practice Contests where you can test your skills for free to Mega Contests where users can lay hands on winnings.
A B.Tech graduate in Automobile Engineering, Vinit Godara always had a knack for sports. Being an effective sports player his entire life, he chose to combine his passion of sports and his desire to be successful in his profession. With little exposure in the fantasy domain and a strong passion for sports, he teamed up with Sanjit Sihag to introduce MyTeam11 to the sports fans. In no time, the brand became India’s most trusted fantasy app.
He gained excellent experience in delivering innovation to the competitive market thanks to his innate project management skills and operational competence. He believed that as the co-founder of one of India's most popular fantasy sports application, he had a responsibility to demonstrate passion and consistency to accelerate the company’s growth.
He has endeavoured to build a lucrative empire for sports fans by relentless efforts, drive, and strategic foresight. He is convinced that high-performance teams, aided by technology, skill sets, and knowledge, can contribute to the company’s success.
From being a project engineer to becoming the CEO of a reputed company, his professional journey has shaped him as a visionary.
Medianews4u.com caught up with him to find out more on the company’s plans
Excerpts:
What goals has MyTeam11 set for itself in 2024? What is the game plan to get there?
Our aim for the year 2024 is very clear. When committed gamers think of fantasy games, they should think MyTeam11. We want to be the go-to platform for fantasy sports enthusiasts in India. We also want to emerge as the top-tier fantasy network provider in the country.
To achieve these goals, we’re focusing on the strategic acquisition and retention of high quality users by delivering an unparalleled user experience, offering a diverse array of engaging games and innovative features. Additionally, our team is implementing data-driven marketing campaigns, ensuring efficiency and maximising profitability.
What is your USP in a competitive market?
What truly sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to user trust and security.
Being recognised as the most trusted fantasy brand in 2023 by Marksmen Daily is a testament to our commitment in providing a secure and reliable platform.
Moreover, MyTeam11 distinguishes itself by offering a diverse range of gaming options under a single platform. Beyond fantasy sports, our offerings includes engaging games like Rummy, Call Break, and Ludo, catering to a broader audience and ensuring a fresh and exciting experience for all our users.
During COVID you expanded your offerings to cover nine sports. So far how has the response been?
The response to our expansion into nine new sports beyond cricket has been nothing short of exhilarating. We've witnessed a substantial increase in engagement from our loyal user base during pivotal events in these sports, whether it’s marquee events like the FIFA World Cup, top domestic leagues like Pro-Kabaddi League and ISL, or prestigious international leagues such as the English Premier League.
Notably, our success with Rummy has been particularly impactful. It not only contributed to our resilience during COVID times when live sports faced disruptions but also attracted a new and enthusiastic segment of users.
Could you talk about the regulation challenges that fantasy gaming platforms face?
The introduction of the 28% GST, like for many companies in the industry, has posed challenges. However, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) is currently actively involved in establishing a robust regulatory framework and more clarity is beginning to emerge. They are setting up SRO and SRBs to establish comprehensive guidelines and oversee the industry operations.
This should not only bring transparency but also a more equitable and secure environment, ultimately benefiting the entire fantasy gaming industry in the long run.
Have you had to adjust your business model after the increase in GST?
Yes, that was natural. We had to mitigate the economic challenges to sustain our operations. We strategically recalibrated our business model to navigate the financial implications, thereby narrowing the gap of the impact.
What role are rapid advancements in Smartphones playing in driving your business?
Smartphones have been a key driver in moving our business forward. Globally, India is ranked second in terms of smartphone users, with the adoption rate reaching 71% in 2023 from 65% in 2022. This dynamic growth in smartphones substantially expands the potential user base for mobile gaming platforms, such as ours.
As India’s smartphone user base continues to grow, so does the pool of potential gamers, including individuals keen on exploring real-money gaming platforms such as MyTeam11.
Obviously cricket is still key. What usage patterns have you seen in your platform when the IPL is on?
The IPL for example, serves as a catalyst for increased user participation, creating a vibrant environment across our platform offerings. During major tournaments like the IPL and World Cups, we also see increased engagement and participation in games like Rummy and Ludo for example, so yes cricket is key for all offerings.
Is sponsorship of IPL franchises and sports events an important part of your brand building journey?
Absolutely, sponsoring major sporting events like the IPL is a crucial component of our brand-building strategy. It will help us in expanding our reach to a broader audience.
Notably, MyTeam11 as the title sponsor for the 2019 India tour of West Indies was a historic milestone, making us the first fantasy brand to sponsor Indian Cricket.
Outside cricket what are the sports that fantasy sports enthusiasts engage with?
In addition to cricket, we have seen a significant surge in engagement on MyTeam11 for football, kabaddi, and volleyball. These sports have passionate fan bases, and we take pride in providing fantasy options that cater to their enthusiasm and enhance their overall gaming experience.
Does the whitespace for you rest in tier two and three towns and cities?
While tier 2 and 3 cities remain a primary focus for us, the growing trust in fantasy sports, amplified by our presence on Google Play, has led us to enter metro cities as well. We believe there is a significant potential audience in both areas. And, we are committed to reach these diverse demographics of India, ensuring they enjoy the best possible fantasy sports experience through our platform.
Are there any learnings from COVID that you still implement?
The challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic prompted us to embrace innovation. We shifted our focus from one game and transitioned into a diverse multi-gaming platform, introducing skill-based games that do not rely on live sports events.
Interestingly, that’s when we launched Rummy, offering an engaging experience from the confines of home during a period when live events were limited.
Moreover, the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic have led us to operate with increased efficiency, leveraging leaner teams and implementing strategic marketing campaigns that yield higher returns on investment (ROI). These invaluable learnings continue to guide our approach and decision-making processes till date.
How are you using A.I. to improve your offerings?
There is no denying that AI is the future, and we are embracing it to elevate our offerings. We curate personalised recommendations and targeted communications by analysing regional demographics and individual interests of our users through AI and machine learning algorithms.
This strategic approach helps us in curating a more immersive and gratifying experience across our platform and increase user retention and engagement.
