iWorld
Atrangii shakes hands with Dubai’s GDRFA to expand global entertainment
MUMBAI: The world just got a little more ‘Atrangii’! In a bold move that cements its global ambitions, Atrangii has announced a strategic partnership with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai. This milestone collaboration marks Atrangii’s grand entry into the middle eastern entertainment market, blending world-class storytelling with cultural innovation.
As content consumption skyrockets across the middle east, Atrangii is stepping up to deliver diverse, high-quality, and engaging narratives tailored to an ever-expanding audience. With this move, the Indian entertainment powerhouse isn’t just exporting content—it’s weaving an entertainment revolution that transcends borders.
“We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our journey—Atrangii’s association with the Government of Dubai (GDRFA) as we expand our footprint in the middle east. This collaboration is a testament to our vision of delivering world-class entertainment experiences that resonate beyond borders”, said Atrangii founder Vibhu Agarwal via Linkedin.
The partnership aims to create an entertainment ecosystem unlike any other, fusing cutting-edge technology with compelling storytelling. Atrangii is set to captivate audiences with content that not only entertains but also bridges cultural narratives between India and the middle east.
“This is more than just an expansion; it’s a movement towards globalising Indian entertainment and crafting stories that connect with audiences worldwide. As we step into this new era, our focus remains on excellence, innovation, and delivering content that leaves a lasting impact”, added Agarwal.
The middle east is a rapidly growing entertainment hub, and Atrangii’s presence in the region signals a significant shift in global content dynamics. By joining forces with Dubai’s GDRFA, the brand is poised to redefine how audiences consume entertainment on a global scale.
The future of entertainment isn’t just coming-it’s already here, and Atrangii is leading the charge. Stay tuned as the brand continues to break new ground and reshape the industry.
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.
