iWorld
Truecaller appoints Hemant Arora as vice-president of global ad sales
MUMBAI: Global communications platform Truecaller has announced the appointment of Hemant Arora as the new vice-president of global ad sales business. This strategic move aims to bolster Truecaller’s advertising division, which represents the company’s largest revenue stream, while refining its global ad sales strategy.
With over 25 years of industry experience, Arora has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and managing global operations for some of the world’s most recognized media and technology companies. His previous roles include serving as head of global accounts for Europe, APAC, and the METAP regions at TikTok, where he demonstrated his ability to foster relationships with key stakeholders and manage complexities in fast-paced environments.
“Truecaller is uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology, trust, and communications,” Arora stated upon his appointment. “I am excited to join a talented team and look forward to driving impactful growth while deepening our partnerships globally.”
His extensive experience includes establishing revenue growth business units, which will be crucial as Truecaller seeks to expand its advertising portfolio and integrate innovative solutions.
Truecaller CEO Rishit Jhunjhunwala, emphasised the importance of Arora’s appointment, noting his extensive background in building scalable revenue models and navigating global markets. “Hemant’s leadership will further strengthen our vision to revolutionize how brands connect with consumers and maximize the potential of our platform,” Jhunjhunwala commented.
Truecaller serves over 425 million active users worldwide, making it one of the most widely used communication platforms. The company’s growth has been bolstered by its ability to identify and block nearly 46 billion unwanted calls in 2023 alone, showcasing its effectiveness in improving user experience.
Gaming
MTG gaming chief Benninghoff joins NODWIN board as esports firm primes for IPO
The Gurugram-based esports firm is pursuing a public listing, has returned to profitability and is growing revenues by 42 per cent
GURUGRAM: NODWIN Gaming is moving fast. The Gurugram-based gaming and esports company has launched a pre-IPO fundraising round, appointed UBS as lead adviser for both the round and a subsequent public listing, and landed a heavyweight board director, all in one go.
The new board member is Arnd Benninghoff, executive vice president of gaming at Stockholm-listed Modern Times Group (MTG), who has overseen the group’s strategic investments and portfolio growth since 2014. He is no stranger to building things: Benninghoff has founded and built fifteen companies, served as chief digital officer at ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG, managing director of SevenVentures, and chief executive of Holtzbrinck eLAB. He began his career as a journalist at Deutsche Presse Agentur and various TV networks, holds a Diplom-Kaufmann in business and administration from the University of Münster, and previously sat on the board of Edgeware AB.
The numbers back the ambition
NODWIN is not pitching a story without substance. The company has returned to EBITDA profitability and posted a 42 per cent year-on-year revenue surge, reaching $58.5m in the first nine months of FY2026. The pre-IPO round will combine a primary issuance to fund global expansion through organic growth and acquisitions, alongside a secondary sale to give existing shareholders some liquidity.
Akshat Rathee, co-founder and managing director of NODWIN Gaming, said Benninghoff understands “the entire lifecycle of the gaming and media ecosystem, from the boots-on-the-ground reality of building startups to the strategic complexity of managing multi-billion dollar global portfolios.”
Benninghoff, for his part, said the company “sits at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and technology, making it one of the most exciting players in the global gaming landscape today.”
A portfolio built for the global south
Founded in 2014 by Rathee and Gautam Virk, NODWIN has quietly assembled one of the more compelling esports portfolios outside the Western hemisphere. Its properties include DreamHack India and Comic Con India, and it recently acquired StarLadder, the Ukraine-based tournament organiser behind premier events in CS:GO and Dota 2. The company also serves as a long-term strategic marketing partner for the Evolution Championship Series (EVO), the world’s most prominent fighting game tournament, helping push it into new geographies.
Its geographic focus spans South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Backers include Nazara Technologies, KRAFTON, Sony Group Corporation, JetSynthesys, and the founders’ investment vehicle Good Game Investments.
What comes next
With UBS running the books, a board freshly reinforced with European media and gaming expertise, and revenue heading in the right direction, NODWIN is laying the groundwork deliberately. The esports industry has burned investors before with big promises and thin margins. NODWIN’s return to profitability, combined with a real portfolio of owned intellectual properties across gaming, music and youth culture, gives it a more credible runway than most. The IPO clock is now ticking.
