Mumbai: Nazara Technologies Limited, India’s only listed diversified gaming and sports media company, has unveiled a series of strategic investments to strengthen its presence across the gaming and entertainment ecosystems. The company’s latest investments, amounting to INR 196 crores, span multiple areas, including physical entertainment, AI-powered education, and its existing gaming subsidiaries.
Nazara’s expansion into physical entertainment begins with the acquisition of a 60% stake in Funky Monkeys Play Centers Private Limited, a leader in indoor soft play centers for children. The investment, valued at INR 43.7 crores, will allow Nazara to tap into the growing market for interactive play experiences. Funky Monkeys operates 11 centers across India, providing children with engaging environments for physical activity and learning.
Binita Putcha and Sanjay Ghadiali, Co-founders of Funky Monkeys, shared: “We are excited to join hands with Nazara, whose vision for digital and hybrid entertainment aligns closely with ours. With Nazara’s expertise and resources, we are confident we can scale Funky Monkeys and bring even more joy to children and families across India. We also see synergies with digital IPs owned by Nazara such as Kiddopia and will work to maximize these opportunities.”
In addition to this, Nazara has made a strategic investment of INR 4.2 crores for a 4.7% stake in Learntube.ai, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing education with 1:1 interactive and gamified learning. Learntube caters to over 20 lakh learners globally and is the world’s largest personalized learning platform. The platform offers affordable, interactive, and gamified learning experiences aimed at professional skilling.
Shronit Ladhani, Co-founder of Learntube.ai, stated: “LearnTube’s collaboration with Nazara is a bold step forward in reshaping professional learning and interactive media. We are excited to combine forces to lead innovation on a global scale.”
In addition to its new investments, Nazara has increased its shareholding in several of its existing subsidiaries. The company will invest INR 148 crores in Sportskeeda, Nodwin Gaming, and Datawrkz to further support their growth and expand their market reach.
Nodwin Gaming: Nazara will invest INR 64 crores through the subscription of Optionally Convertible Preference Shares to fuel Nodwin’s growth. The investment will help strengthen Nodwin’s intellectual properties (IPs) and its footprint in emerging markets.
Absolute Sports (Sportskeeda): Nazara will invest INR 69 crores to purchase shares arising from the exercise of ESOPs from the Sportskeeda management, increasing its stake to 100% and making it a wholly owned subsidiary.
Datawrkz: Nazara has granted in-principle approval for an investment of INR 15 crores through the subscription of Compulsorily Convertible Cumulative Preference Shares to support the ongoing growth of Datawrkz.
Nitish Mittersain, Founder and CEO of Nazara Technologies, commented: “Nazara is committed to building the largest diversified gaming and entertainment platform out of India, and many of our initiatives announced today are geared towards propelling profitable growth in these strategic areas of our interest.”
With these investments, Nazara continues to enhance its leadership position in the gaming, entertainment, and education sectors, further diversifying its offerings to meet the growing demand for interactive, innovative, and accessible experiences across India and beyond.
