Gaming
S8UL onboards Kerala’s popular gamer Kaztro Gaming
Mumbai: In a major move for Indian esports, Muhammed Ramees MP, widely known as Kaztro Gaming, has joined S8UL, India’s leading esports and gaming organisation. Hailing from Kerala, Kaztro is a beloved gaming creator. Leveraging Kaztro’s massive following and his ability to connect with fans through relatable and compelling content, this collaboration is set to inspire a new generation of gamers and content creators, particularly from regions previously underrepresented in the gaming narrative.
Originating from Kerala, Kaztro brings not only a massive following but an incredible regional pull which will allow S8UL to tap into more nuanced ways of storytelling and community engagement.
S8UL’s co-founder Lokesh Jain aka 8Bit Goldy expressed his enthusiasm by sharing “Since his early days in Kerala, Kaztro has captivated the gaming world with his infectious energy and sharp gaming acumen. His talent in creating flavourful content that is timeless, coupled with his tremendous regional penetration, will open up new avenues for diverse content creation and add more depth to S8UL’s already vibrant roster of top creators from the country.”
He is known to swiftly captivate his audience with unique editing, engaging content, and energetic live streams. His YouTube channel now boasts 1.42 million subscribers and over 1,500 videos where he mainly makes content around BGMI, GTA Roleplay and PC Gaming. His second channel, Kaztro Vlogs, further showcases his multifaceted persona, attracting 858K subscribers who tune in for a glimpse into the life of the gaming sensation. Kaztro’s insights into game mechanics and his notable presence at various gaming events have solidified his status as a key influencer in the esports world.
He shared, “Joining S8UL isn’t just a pivotal step in my career; it’s a gateway to inspire and lead within the content creation space in India, allowing me to connect with a broader segment of the Indian gaming community—a feat not possible without the support of S8UL. I’m determined to make the most of this opportunity.”
Kaztro epitomises the quintessential ‘zero to hero’ narrative in the domain of gaming. Juggling between academic pursuits in ethical hacking and career in content creation, Kaztro started his gaming journey on YouTube on 19 March 2020 as he switched from a technology focused channel to gaming content. Operating from a modest hostel setup, his resourcefulness and dedication were evident as he navigated the complexities of this shift.
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.
