Mumbai: NODWIN Gaming, a global youth entertainment company, has reported consolidated revenue of ₹116 crore for the first quarter of FY27, while improving operational efficiency as its EBITDA loss narrowed 32% year-on-year to ₹7.53 crore from ₹11 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.
The company said the first quarter is traditionally its slowest due to the seasonal nature of its business but highlighted stable revenue growth alongside stronger operating discipline and continued investments in content, intellectual properties (IPs) and international expansion.
NODWIN Gaming said its business continues to be driven by a flywheel model anchored around its Content and Live verticals. The company explained that content helps audiences discover games, creators and communities, while live experiences—including esports tournaments, music festivals and fan conventions—deepen engagement and unlock monetisation opportunities through sponsorships, ticketing, merchandise and media rights.
During the quarter, the company expanded its content portfolio by initiating projects in trading cards, board games, premium pop culture merchandise and The National Math Bee in partnership with Bhanzu. It also announced the expansion of its creator-led gaming entertainment IP, Playground, into the United States alongside its India edition.
NODWIN Gaming also confirmed the 2026–27 editions of its content partnerships with Rusk Media to strengthen its entertainment pipeline.
On the publisher front, the company strengthened its collaboration with Garena to support the growth of Free Fire MAX in India through competitive gaming, creator engagement and live experiences.
Beyond gaming, NODWIN’s partner support services business expanded internationally by executing projects for the Saudi Football Federation and the Belgian Football Association.
The company said it paused acquisitions following the cessation of funding to Freaks4U in order to refine its mergers and acquisitions framework, improve integration processes and strengthen its organic business. It expects approximately 30% organic growth during the current financial year before restarting acquisitions under an updated playbook.
Several developments are expected to support future profitability, including the scheduling shift of one of its global PUBG Mobile properties from Q1 to Q2, the transition of NH7 to a licensing model in India, and Comic Con India’s move away from minimum guarantee agreements to direct ticket sales.
The company also strengthened its global esports presence after being appointed India’s National Team Partner for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026, supporting Team India’s participation in the Riyadh Finals across seven titles.
Operational efficiency remained a key focus during the quarter, with NODWIN deploying more than 10 internally developed AI-powered workflow solutions across finance, HR, legal, sales and production. These initiatives are expected to generate approximately ₹12 crore in software replacement-led cost savings over the next three years.
The company also expanded its employee stock ownership programme (ESOP) to cover all employees, resulting in attrition below 5%, while maintaining 100% founder retention across acquired businesses.
Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming, said, “The first quarter is traditionally our lightest from a revenue perspective because of the timing of our largest properties, but the progress we’ve made on operating performance is encouraging. Over the past year, we have focused on building a stronger foundation by improving efficiency, refining our acquisition strategy, investing in technology, and expanding the opportunities around our Live and Content businesses.
“We are seeing that discipline translate into a healthier business. Every step we are taking today is helping build a business that is increasingly ready for the responsibilities of the public markets. At the same time, we continue to expand our portfolio with new entertainment formats, international opportunities, and consumer products that strengthen our engagement with youth audiences. As we restart our acquisition journey, our focus remains on building an integrated global youth entertainment company with sustainable growth, strong founder-led businesses, and diversified revenue streams.”
With a growing portfolio spanning gaming, esports, live entertainment, creators, commerce, consumer products and content, NODWIN Gaming said it remains focused on building a globally integrated youth entertainment business with sustainable long-term growth.
