Executive Dossier
Excellent Publicity launches pro bono startup aid
MUMBAI: Giving back can sometimes be the best business move. Excellent Publicity, a leading ad-tech Saas agency, has launched a pro bono consultation initiative aimed at mentoring early-stage startups in India.
The program targets ventures less than a year old or generating under Rs 1 crore in annual revenue, offering strategic one-on-one guidance on brand building, marketing, and growth. Co-founder Vaishal Dalal, who experienced the struggles of starting a business firsthand, will personally lead the sessions.
“At the beginning of our own journey, we had no one to turn to,” Dalal said. “This program is our way of ensuring that new entrepreneurs don’t feel as alone as we once did.”
Daily slots will be open for startups to register via Excellent Publicity’s website, with no obligations attached. The initiative aims to equip young businesses with the clarity, tools, and confidence to navigate a competitive market and reduce early-stage failures.
“One entrepreneur finding their way forward can spark jobs, opportunities, and growth for many others,” Dalal added. “We want to create that ripple effect.”
While currently planned as a one-time programme, Excellent Publicity may expand the initiative based on its impact, demonstrating a commitment to purpose-driven support for India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
MUMBAI: Game faces on, pressure high India’s gaming ambitions are levelling up. Good Game, billed as the world’s first as-live global gaming reality show, has officially launched in India with a bold mission: to crown the country’s first Global Gaming Superstar.
Blending esports with mainstream entertainment, the show brings together competitive gaming, creativity and on-camera performance in a format that tests more than just joystick skills. Contestants will be judged on gameplay, screen presence and their ability to perform under pressure, reflecting how gaming has evolved from pastime to profession and pop culture currency.
Fronting the show are three high-profile ambassadors: actor and entrepreneur Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant, and gaming creator Ujjwal Chaurasia. The winner will take home Rs 1 crore ($100,000) among the largest prize pools for any Indian reality show along with the chance to represent India on a global stage.
Backed by a planned annual investment of up to Rs 100 crore, Good Game is also courting brand partners, promising a minimum reach of 500 million among India’s core youth audience. The creators position the show as a bridge between entertainment and interactive culture, offering long-format content, community engagement and commercial scale.
Auditions are now open to Indian citizens aged 18 and above, inviting amateur and professional gamers, creators and performers alike. Shortlisted candidates will be called for in-person auditions in Mumbai on 14 and 15 February, and in Delhi on 28 February and 1 March 2026.
With big money, big names and even bigger ambition, Good Game signals a shift in how India views gaming not just as play, but as performance, profession and prime-time spectacle.
