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NODWIN Gaming appoints Manish Agarwal as non-executive director
Move strengthens governance as esports firm sharpens focus on IPO readiness
GURUGRAM: NODWIN Gaming has appointed Manish Agarwal to its board as a non-executive director, signalling a clear push towards stronger governance as the company prepares for a potential public listing.
Agarwal, known for his role in scaling and taking Nazara Technologies public, brings with him deep experience in public market readiness and institutional growth. His association with NODWIN dates back to its early days, when he helped lead Nazara’s investment into the company, giving him a long-term view of its evolution.
Currently, Agarwal is co-founder of KGeN, a global community-led gaming network backed by investors such as Accel and Prosus. He also founded Humyn Labs, which focuses on building human intelligence systems for AI using real-world data.
In his new role, Agarwal will work closely with the board and leadership team to strengthen strategic oversight and governance frameworks as NODWIN scales across markets and aligns itself with public market expectations.
“Having seen NODWIN’s journey from its early stages to becoming a leading force in youth culture and gaming, it’s been exciting to watch its evolution,” said KGeN & Humyn Labs co-founder Manish Agarwal. “As the company now prepares for its next phase, including its path towards public markets, I look forward to contributing to building a globally relevant and institutionally strong platform.”
Welcoming the move, NODWIN Gaming managing director and co-founder Akshat Rathee said Agarwal’s experience would be pivotal at this stage. “Manish has been a long-time partner in NODWIN’s journey, from leading Nazara Technologies’ investment into the company to now joining our Board at a crucial inflection point,” he said. “He brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial vision and public market experience that is incredibly valuable as we advance our pre-IPO journey.”
The appointment comes amid a broader leadership and governance build-out at NODWIN. The company recently brought back Sidharth Kedia to lead strategy and capital planning, and added Arnd Benninghoff to its board, alongside initiating a $100 million pre-IPO fundraise.
Financially, the company is riding strong momentum. After reporting Rs 524 crore in FY25, NODWIN has already surpassed that figure in the first three quarters of FY26, clocking Rs 530.3 crore in revenue while maintaining EBITDA-positive operations.
As India’s gaming and esports ecosystem continues to mature, NODWIN’s latest boardroom move suggests it is not just playing for scale, but also gearing up for the discipline and scrutiny that come with the public markets.
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Just Dial reports strong Q4 and FY26 results despite one-time hit
Search giant posts Rs 4,970 crore net profit for the year, driven by robust operating performance.
MUMBAI: Just Dial has delivered another solid set of numbers proving that even in a tough year, its core business continues to click. The company reported a net profit of Rs 1,000 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, and Rs 4,970 crore for the full financial year. Revenue from operations (net of GST) stood at Rs 3,072 crore for the quarter and Rs 12,139 crore for the year, reflecting steady growth in its core search and related services business.
Total income for the quarter was Rs 3,559 crore, while full-year total income reached Rs 15,477 crore.
On the expense side, employee benefits remained the largest cost at Rs 1,840 crore for the quarter. The company also recorded a one-time exceptional impact of Rs 211 crore due to changes in labour codes affecting gratuity calculations.
Despite this, Just Dial maintained healthy profitability, with earnings per share (basic) at Rs 11.76 for the quarter and Rs 58.44 for the full year.
The results come on the back of consistent performance in its search and search-related services segment. The company continues to benefit from its strong position as India’s leading local search platform.
Just Dial also noted the resignation of its long-serving Chief Financial Officer, Abhishek Bansal, effective 15 April 2026, citing personal career considerations. Bansal had been with the company for over 12 years, including more than eight years as CFO.
In a statement, the company placed on record its appreciation for his contributions.
While the broader media and digital landscape faces headwinds, Just Dial continues to demonstrate resilience. Its focus on core strengths local search, content, and monetisation appears to be paying off, even as it navigates a dynamic environment.
With steady revenue growth and healthy bottom-line performance, Just Dial remains one of the more consistent players in India’s digital ecosystem. As it turns the page on its finance leadership, the company looks well-positioned to maintain its momentum in the year ahead.
