Gaming
Loco announces global expansion backed by UAE-based investment company
Mumbai: Loco has announced an investment by Redwood Tech FZCO (“Redwood”), a newly-formed, technology-focused investment company, based in the UAE. This transaction marks a significant milestone in Loco’s journey, with the new investor investing significant capital to fuel Loco’s global expansion efforts. As part of the transaction, existing investors will be provided with an exit.
Loco has been a pioneer in the live game streaming and esports sector in India, paving the way for gaming to go from a niche hobby to a mainstream national interest. Loco has built highly engaged communities across various game categories, such as BGMI, Free Fire, Call of Duty Mobile, Clash of Clans, Grand Theft Auto (GTA), and Valorant. The platform will now be expanding to international markets that are aligned with Loco’s vision of becoming a leading global streaming platform. As part of this rollout, the company will be announcing new partnerships with major gaming companies, esports athletes, and streamers, helping it deliver the best gaming content to its users. The company has previously partnered with large publishers like Krafton, Activision, Ubisoft, and Riot Games, as well as global giants like the NBA and FIFAe, and will look forward to extending these relationships to new markets.
This investment will enable Loco to leverage its strong technology, and community-focused platform, to enter multiple new markets within the next 12 months. The commitment from Redwood underlines its confidence in Loco’s potential to expand its service internationally, transforming the way the world experiences gaming entertainment.
Loco founders Anirudh Pandita and Ashwin Suresh, said “This investment is a recognition of the immense work done by our team in the past few years. Gaming is an integral part of the cultural zeitgeist globally, and we look forward to building a platform that is at the heart of this global movement. Live streaming enables authentic connection in a way that other mediums can’t match and we want to put the fan at the center of this experience.”
Gaming
Formula 1 and Mumbai Falcons launch India’s first official F1 sim racing championship
Nationwide competition creates pathway from virtual racing to pro motorsport
MUMBAI: Formula 1 has teamed up with Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited to launch India’s first officially sanctioned F1 sim racing competition, marking a new step in the country’s growing motorsport ecosystem.
The championship, titled F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, will offer a structured national platform for sim racers, with participants competing on the official F1 25 across multiple stages. The competition will begin with online qualifiers, followed by city-based simulator rounds, before culminating in a national final in Mumbai this November.
Open to players across PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox, registrations for the event will begin on 30 April via the Mumbai Falcons app. The format mirrors real-world racing, featuring official circuits, team liveries and competitive structures aligned with the global series.
Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan said the initiative arrives at a time when interest in the sport is surging in India, adding that a structured sim racing platform could help identify and nurture the next generation of talent.
Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited managing director Ameet Gadhoke noted that the championship aligns with the team’s long-term goal of building a strong motorsport pipeline in the country and placing Indian talent on the global stage.
The launch also reflects broader momentum in esports, especially after its recognition under India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. By bridging gaming and real-world racing, the initiative aims to offer aspiring drivers a credible entry point into professional motorsport.
With interest in Formula 1 steadily rising and conversations around its return to India gaining pace, the new championship could become a proving ground for future racing stars.
