Gaming
Infinix Presses Play on India’s Esports Scene
MUMBAI: In what appears to be a strategic masterstroke in the Indian esports game, Infinix has pressed play on its latest endeavour, aiming to capture the hearts and thumbs of competitive players. The new-age smartphone brand isn’t just launching a new device; it’s making a bold statement, seeking to redefine its presence within India’s burgeoning gaming ecosystem.
To truly resonate with the gaming demographic, Infinix has forged alliances with some heavyweight figures. Comedian and digital creator Tanmay Bhat, alongside top-tier gaming influencers Total Gaming, Mizo, and Shreeman Legend, are now part of the Infinix team. This collaborative move highlights a significant cultural shift: gaming is no longer just a pastime, but a passion-driven space where skill, community, and competitive spirit converge for today’s youth. Modern gamers aren’t merely in the market for a phone; they demand performance that keeps pace with their rigorous “grind,” bold designs that unmistakably scream “gaming,” and cutting-edge technology that facilitates their seamless entry into the thrilling world of Esports.
Enter the Infinix GT 30 Pro, a device meticulously crafted with “gaming-first” features to address the escalating demand for high-octane mobile competition. Designed with flagship-grade precision, this smartphone boasts the world’s first Mediatek Dimensity 8350 Ultimate processor, ensuring unparalleled processing power. For battle royale enthusiasts, it offers Krafton-certified 120FPS BGMI support, promising buttery-smooth gameplay. Further enhancing the tactile experience are the integrated GT Shoulder Triggers, while its bold Cyber Mecha Design, complete with customizable RGB lighting, ensures it looks every bit the part. To elevate the overall gaming experience, a suite of AI-powered features has been integrated, including Esports Mode, Xboost, AI audio enhancement, and haptics, all painstakingly optimised to deliver more immersive and responsive gameplay.
Ultimately, through these calculated collaborations, Infinix is not simply unveiling a product. It’s actively championing a mindset shift within India’s dynamic gaming culture, reinforcing its long-term commitment to cultivating talent by empowering grassroots Esports athletes, a dedication exemplified by its existing partnership with the professional team True Rippers.
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.
