Gaming
Hitwicket joins hands with ISB
Mumbai – Cricket gaming startup Hitwicket, joins forces with the Indian School of Business (ISB) one of India’s premier business institutes, as a strategic partner for the ISB GameX Accelerator program. This program is designed to nurture talent, fuel innovation and equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge required to thrive in the competitive gaming landscape. Through a tailored curriculum and hands-on mentorship, participants have an opportunity to gain invaluable insights and support to turn their gaming ideas into reality.
The Market Opportunity
Traditionally, business schools have mostly focused on established sectors such as consultancy and finance. However, this initiative aims to capitalise on the booming esports industry and reshape the landscape of career options in India. The online gaming industry plays a crucial role in the Digital India vision and initiative. The Prime Minister’s aim to position India as a leading global gaming hub has gained renewed focus following his recent interaction with the country’s top gamers. The online gaming industry in India has seen a rapid expansion of 28% CAGR between FY20 and FY23. Projections indicate further growth to Rs 33,243 crore by FY28, with a sustained 15% CAGR. The gaming and esports sector not only draws considerable foreign and domestic investments but also creates substantial direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Earlier this year, veteran cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle backed Hitwicket as a strategic investor, further validating the potential of esports in the country. Harsha Bhogle, a familiar voice in cricket for over 40 years, is not just a commentator but also a management guru and an MBA graduate. His decision to join Hitwicket as a strategic investor underscores the significant opportunities within the esports and gaming industry. This partnership between Hitwicket and ISB marks a significant step forward, fostering a thriving esports ecosystem in India.
Hitwicket co-founders Keerti Singh and Kashyap Reddy expressed their excitement about strategic partnership “The landscape of the Indian gaming industry has undergone a dramatic shift since we started Hitwicket. Back then, resources and support for aspiring game developers were scarce. ISB is pioneering support for the gaming sector, recognising its immense potential and fostering innovation and growth in this dynamic field through this program which will be a game changer. This collaboration with ISB allows us to support the next generation of gaming leaders. We are excited to be part of this journey and look forward to empowering the next generation of gaming leaders and propelling India to the global esports ecosystem.”
“We’re thrilled to have Hitwicket as our strategic partner for the GameX Accelerator Program. Their deep understanding of the Indian gaming market makes them a valuable partner in nurturing the next generation of esports entrepreneurs. This collaboration will equip up-and-coming gaming leaders and the future of India’s gaming industry with the skills and resources needed to drive innovation, shape industry trends, and contribute to India’s thriving gaming ecosystem,” commented ISB director at I-Venture Saumya Kumar.
GameX Accelerator is a three-month program designed to be a launchpad for aspiring gaming and esports entrepreneurs, providing participants with specialised business and technological resources, mentorship from seasoned professionals, fundraising guidance, and access to a vibrant gaming community.
Gaming
IICT signs three MoUs to boost AVGC-XR and esports
Partnerships with Zenfluencers, Yologram and Eruditio at Chennai Gaming Show 2026 strengthen education, XR innovation and nationwide talent outreach.
MUMBAI: IICT has just levelled up the game in a big way. The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies signed three strategic Memorandums of Understanding on 17 April 2026 at the CII Summit FX – India Gaming Show in Chennai, forging alliances with The Zenfluencers, Yologram Style Pvt. Ltd. and Eruditio Consultants to accelerate India’s AVGC-XR ecosystem.
The tie-ups combine IICT’s strengths in education, skilling and research with specialist expertise across esports, immersive technologies and large-scale outreach.
- With The Zenfluencers, IICT will roll out globally benchmarked esports programmes, including joint certification courses, industry workshops, tournaments and masterclasses, creating clear career pathways across the full esports value chain.
- The partnership with Yologram Style Pvt. Ltd. focuses on gaming, immersive storytelling and extended reality (XR), delivering industry-aligned curriculum, faculty mentorship, student showcases and collaborative research in immersive AI and virtual production.
- Collaboration with Eruditio Consultants targets awareness, accessibility and career alignment, with nationwide counsellor training, institutional engagement and structured guidance frameworks to reach students beyond Tier-1 cities.
IICT CEO Vishwas Deoskar said, “As the AVGC-XR sector evolves at a rapid pace, strong collaborations between industry and academia are essential. These partnerships will create meaningful impact across education, innovation and outreach.”
Yologram Style Pvt. Ltd. founder Aditya Mani added, “AI-driven creator worlds are transforming games into engines of culture, commerce and careers. Together we aim to empower a generation to build immersive futures.”
Eruditio Consultants founder Indrajit Ghosh noted, “This is not just about awareness, it is about building a structured ecosystem that connects aspiration with opportunity.”
The Zenfluencers CEO Atharva Gupta said, “This MoU is a big unlock moment for the esports ecosystem in India. We’re building a structured pipeline for talent across the full stack.”
By bringing together academia, industry leaders and ecosystem players, IICT is creating scalable models that blend cutting-edge skills with real-world relevance. In a sector racing toward the future, these three partnerships ensure India’s next generation of creative technologists won’t just keep up, they’ll set the pace.
