iWorld
“National Startup Day 2024 signifies a game-changer for India’s digital journey”: Dot Media Base
Mumbai: Dot Media Base is a one-of-a-kind content-first talent marketing agency in India. Originating as a humble startup during the lockdown in Kanpur, it has blossomed into a thriving ecosystem boasting over 200 creators, 250+ distinctive clients including music labels, OTT platforms, FMCG, Beauty, and Fintech brands., 1000+ digital campaigns, a roster of 30 celebrities, and a dedicated team of 90+ professionals. With offices in Mumbai and Kanpur, the enterprise has also established an expansive modern production studio spanning 1,800 sq. ft
Shubham Singhal, Vaibhav Pathak, and Om Singh have nurtured successful IPs like TGB Troop, Dot Talents, Dot Studios, Dot Public Relations, and FinTroop. Their approach includes digital tools, artistic prowess, and innovative ideas to make engaging content and captivating visuals. They’re working towards making a dynamic digital realm that’s not just exhilarating but also addresses creators’ challenges.
Additionally, India celebrates National Startup Day today. This annual event serves as a testament to the nation’s commitment to creating a thriving ecosystem for startups, providing them with the necessary resources and encouragement to flourish.
Indiantelevision.com caught up with the founders Singhal, Pathak and Singh where they gave detailed explanations regarding their agency, also what preparations they are planning this day and how they are looking forward to curb challenges and many more…
Edited excerpts
On the journey since the inception of the agency
Since the inception of our agency, the journey has been nothing short of a remarkable adventure. Our story began during the challenging times of the lockdown, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of the global challenge, we found an incredible opportunity in the digital space, setting ourselves apart in a crowded industry. Relocating from Kanpur to Mumbai marked the start of our hustle.
Starting with a team of only 8 members, we have grown rapidly and now boast a team of over 70 dedicated individuals. Throughout our expansion, we have not only created a successful agency, but we have also cultivated a culture that values the well-being and growth of our team. Our commitment goes beyond just professional partnerships – we care for our team members, influencers and collaborators not just professionally but also personally. As we look back at our journey, we realise that it’s not just about reaching milestones and hitting targets, but more importantly, it’s about growing into a community that thrives on mutual support, resilience, and a shared passion for what we do.
On specific preparations that Dot Media Base is making for Startup Day
As we gear up for Startup Day on January 16th, Dot Media Base is not just preparing for a single day but sparking a year-long transformation. Our recent preparations involve a shift in how we work. We’re focusing on our team’s passions, letting them choose roles that excite them rather than sticking to predefined positions.
Our emphasis is on making this year not just about hitting goals but about team unity, collaboration, and continuous learning. Startup Day is not just a celebration but a platform for our team to come together, share success stories, and dive into the startup culture.
We’ve been restructuring, encouraging active participation, and fostering an environment where every team member plays a vital role. Dot Media Base is not just a company; it’s a joint effort. Startup Day is our way of creating a space for collaboration, connection, and content creation that reflects our dedication to excellence. We are ready for a year of innovation, growth, and shared success!
On the agency’s active engage with the startup ecosystem, and benefits derived from such involvement
We’re deeply plugged into the buzzing startup landscape, actively diving into events that spark knowledge and connections. Our team is out there, attending everything from conferences to meet-ups, soaking in insights and building relationships. These events aren’t just about business; they’re about learning and sharing with industry folks.
Networking is our game. We’re not just talking about partnerships; we’re talking about creating a community that fosters innovation. We learn from the best. Our commitment extends to mentorship programs, ensuring our team grows alongside industry leaders.
Every event is a goldmine of insights, not just from our peers but from everyone in the game. We, as founders, make sure our team is always hungry for learning, active in the networking game. It’s not just about growing in our bubble; it’s about making friends and allies in every corner. We’re always ready, always excited, seeking new connections and opportunities for collective success.
On any collaborations with other startups that you find particularly impactful
At Dot Media, collaboration isn’t just about transactions; it’s about shared values and mutual growth. Our partnership with WeDo Marketing, initiated when both our ventures were budding a few years ago, is a testament to this philosophy. We value collaborations that transcend the business realm and foster genuine friendships.
WeDo Marketing, specialising in impactful brand work, especially in fashion, lifestyle, and FMCG, has played a pivotal role in our journey. They’ve pushed us to excel in influencer management and campaign ideas, sparking innovation.
For us, collaboration is not merely about achieving success individually; it’s about lifting each other to new heights. Rooted in mutual respect, our partnership extends beyond professional deals to create an environment where collective growth thrives. This belief defines our approach to collaborations—a commitment to journeys that are not bound by limits but driven by shared aspirations and limitless possibilities.
On challenges that India need to overcome in the startup ecosystem
National Startup Day 2024 signifies a game-changer for India’s digital journey. Amidst the startup boom, a critical challenge revolves around job creation. While startups are vital for innovation, connecting them with individuals lacking educational access poses a hurdle. To truly thrive as the world’s largest startup ecosystem, we must address this literacy gap, ensuring everyone has a fair shot.
It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about empowering our workforce. As we pioneer the global startup scenario, the focus is on inclusivity and skill-building. We’re not just growing startups; we’re nurturing talents ready for the dynamic global stage. Our vision is a transformed India, where every aspiring mind, irrespective of background, contributes uniquely. In this digital evolution, let’s not just make history; let’s make opportunities, crafting a nation known not only for startup success but for offering meaningful work to every dreamer ready to shape their collective future. Our commitment is unwavering – driving a transformation that leaves no one behind.
On the long-term vision and mission of Dot Media Base, and its evolution since the company’s founding
At Dot Media Base, our big picture is about being the all-in-one destination for everything in the market. We’re dreaming of a place where we handle it all – from talent management to brand collaborations to creating blockbuster content and bringing to the bigger screen. Picture this: a hub where brands and creators find all their solutions under one roof, whether it’s casting stars or executing killer marketing strategies. We want to cover all the bases, working with creators and brands across the spectrum.
Since day one, our journey has been a ride of change and growth. It’s not just about running a company; it’s about growing as a tight-knit team. Our mission? To create that one campaign that shakes up how people see marketing, breaking the norm. We’re on a mission to build a creative space where ideas flow, campaigns connect, and success knows no limits. Together, we’re not just evolving; we’re setting new standards, making waves, and turning our vision into a reality. That’s the Dot Media Base journey – where every step is a leap toward something bigger and bolder.
Gaming
India’s new online gaming rules take effect today, banning money games and creating a regulator
The rules, in force from today, separate e-sports from gambling and impose jail terms and stiff fines on violators
NEW DELHI: India’s online gaming sector woke up this morning to a new reality. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026, came into force today, May 1st, turning a year of legislative intent into enforceable law. The message from New Delhi is blunt: e-sports and social games are welcome; online money games are not.
The rules operationalise the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, passed by Parliament in August 2025. Together, they represent the most sweeping regulatory intervention India has made in its booming digital gaming market, one that generated Rs 23,200 crore in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 11 per cent to reach Rs 31,600 crore by 2027. The stakes, in every sense, could not be higher.
A sector out of control
The urgency behind the legislation is not hard to find. An estimated 45 crore Indians have been affected by online money gaming platforms, with losses exceeding Rs 20,000 crore. Addiction, financial ruin, money laundering, and suicides have all been linked to the sector. Seventy-seven per cent of the market’s revenues came from transaction-based games, a figure that made regulators deeply uneasy.
The government’s response, effective as of today, is categorical. Online money games, whether based on chance, skill, or any mix of the two, are banned outright. So is their advertising, promotion, and facilitation. Banks and payment processors are barred from handling related transactions. Unlawful platforms can be blocked under the Information
Technology Act, 2000.
The penalties are designed to sting. Offering or facilitating online money games can attract up to three years in jail and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore, or both. Repeat offenders face a minimum of three years, extendable to five, with fines between Rs 1 crore and Rs 2 crore. Advertising such games carries up to two years in prison and fines of up to Rs 50 lakh, with repeat violations attracting higher penalties still. Cyber cell officers at state and union territory levels, including at police station, district, and commissionerate levels, are empowered to investigate offences.
The new sheriff in town
At the centre of the new framework sits the Online Gaming Authority of India, a digital-first regulator constituted as an attached office of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, headquartered in Delhi. It is chaired by the additional secretary of MeitY and includes joint secretary-level representation from home affairs, finance, information and broadcasting, youth affairs and sports, and law and justice, a deliberately multi-sectoral design built for a complex sector.
The authority’s powers are broad. It will maintain and publish lists of online money games, investigate complaints, issue directions, orders, and codes of practice, hear appeals on user grievances, and coordinate with financial institutions and law enforcement to ensure effective and timely action.
Its decisions on game classification are to be completed within 90 days, a time-bound commitment that industry players have welcomed after years of regulatory ambiguity. Classification can be triggered by the authority acting on its own initiative, by an application from a service provider, or by a notification from the central government. Games will be assessed on objective factors: whether stakes are involved, whether players expect monetary winnings, the revenue model, and whether in-game assets can be monetised outside the game. The outcome is recorded in a determination order specific to the game and provider.
E-sports gets its moment
While the crackdown on money gaming dominates today’s headlines, the rules also carve out a structured path for e-sports and online social games. Registration, required when notified by the central government, applies to all games offered as e-sports and is based on factors including risk to users, scale, financial transactions, and country of origin. A successful application yields a digital certificate of registration with a unique number, valid for up to ten years. Service providers must display registration details, designate a point of contact, comply with data retention requirements, and follow directions on facilitating payments.
Online money games are explicitly ineligible for recognition or registration as e-sports under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. The separation is deliberate, and the industry has noticed.
Akshat Rathee, co-founder and managing director of NODWIN Gaming, called today’s operationalisation “encouraging,” pointing to publisher-led registration of esports titles and a time-bound determination process as creating “much-needed certainty for all stakeholders.” He added that the “continued emphasis on clearly separating esports from online money gaming is critical in preserving the integrity of competitive gaming as a skill-driven discipline.” He described it as “a proud moment to see official acknowledgement of the broader benefits of responsible esports and gaming, from building confidence, discipline, and teamwork to creating new career pathways for young talent,” and said the framework sets “a strong foundation for the ecosystem to scale in a more structured and globally competitive manner.”
Animesh Agarwal, co-founder and chief executive of S8UL, was equally bullish. “This clarity is critical in unlocking investor confidence and attracting multi-genre brands, while also enabling organisations to take a more long-term view, whether in investing in talent, scaling teams, or building globally competitive formats,” he said, adding that it “strengthens trust among audiences and mainstream stakeholders, positioning esports not just as a sport, but as a fast-growing youth entertainment category in India.”
But Agarwal urged caution on several fronts. There remains limited clarity around financial frameworks, particularly in how esports earnings are treated by banks and financial institutions. A well-defined pathway for the formal recognition or registration of esports teams is still evolving, as are structured player protections. He also called for smoother visa processes for esports athletes competing in international tournaments and for government support in developing infrastructure, including bootcamps, training facilities, and access to high-performance equipment across titles.
Vishal Parekh, chief operating officer of CyberPowerPC India, pointed to downstream effects on education and careers. “With formal recognition and policy backing, colleges and institutions are more likely to take the sector seriously, whether through dedicated esports infrastructure, training programmes, or curriculum integration,” he said, adding that this helps students view gaming as a viable career spanning roles across competitive play, content, game development, and allied industries. He noted that as esports gains prominence in global multi-sport events, the framework strengthens India’s position in international competitive gaming, and called on the ecosystem to provide the right infrastructure and access to high-performance hardware to unlock opportunities in talent development and job creation.
Protecting users, one safeguard at a time
The rules introduce a layered system of user protections calibrated to the risk profile of each game. These include age verification, age gating, time restrictions, parental controls, user reporting tools, counselling support, and fair-play and integrity monitoring. Service providers must disclose their safety features and internal grievance mechanisms when applying for determination or registration.
A two-tier grievance redressal system sits atop these safeguards. Users who are dissatisfied with a platform’s resolution can escalate to the authority within 30 days. The authority aims to dispose of such appeals within a further 30 days. A second appeal lies before the secretary of MeitY, who must also endeavour to resolve matters within 30 days. Enforcement proceedings will be conducted in digital mode wherever possible, with cases targeted for resolution within 90 days from receipt of a complaint.
Penalties under the framework are proportionate, taking into account gain from non-compliance, loss to users, the gravity of the offence, and whether violations are recurring. Mitigation efforts by service providers will also be considered when determining penalties. All penalties imposed under the Act will be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.
The money follows the rules
For investors and founders, the implications are immediate and significant. Sagar Nair, head of incubation at LVL Zero Incubator, a 100-day sprint designed to accelerate early-stage gaming startups across India, argues that with real-money gaming now prohibited, capital will shift “away from transaction-driven models toward content-led, IP-driven, and global-first gaming businesses.” He acknowledged trade-offs: for operators with exposure to real-money formats, the market becomes more restrictive in the near term. But he argued that by clearly separating esports and non-money gaming from online money gaming, “India is positioning itself as a hub for responsible, creative, and scalable game development.” The opportunity, he said, is “to view India not just as a monetisation-first market, but as a talent, IP, and scale market,” adding that “for founders and investors willing to adapt, this shift could ultimately strengthen India’s position in the global gaming landscape.”
The government frames the wider impact in equally ambitious terms: a boost to India’s creative economy and digital exports, new career pathways for young people, protection for families from predatory platforms, and a stronger voice in global digital governance. India, it argues, offers a model for other countries grappling with the same tensions between gaming’s economic promise and its social risks, one that shows innovation and strong safeguards need not be mutually exclusive.
Whether the framework delivers on those promises will depend on enforcement, always the hardest part. But from today, the architecture is firmly in place: a regulator with teeth, a classification system with deadlines, penalties designed to deter, and a clear dividing line between games that build careers and games that destroy finances. For a sector that has grown fast and governed itself loosely, May 1st, 2026 is the day the free ride ends.
