Gaming
Revenant and Team XSpark merge to create Esports powerhouse
Mumbai: In a monumental move for Indian esports, Revenant Esports and Team XSpark have merged, unveiling a united brand, Revenant XSpark, set to make waves across the gaming world. This strategic merger combines the talent, resources, and fan base of both powerhouse organisations, aiming to dominate multiple esports titles while expanding into international markets.
The partnership sees Revenant XSpark ready to engage fans with community events, brand collaborations, and international competitive gameplay. The organisation has already debuted its BGMI lineup, featuring celebrated players Sarang, Spraygod, Shadow, and Joker, under the guidance of Coach Osmium. Recently, these players made history with back-to-back victories in the BGMI Pro Series and BGMI India Series, marking them as the only team to achieve consecutive LAN event wins in BGMI.
In another boost, Revenant XSpark has been selected as one of 10 organisations by The Pokémon Company to participate in the upcoming Pokémon UNITE ACL India League 2025, with an official roster announcement expected soon.
Tanmay ‘ScoutOP’ Singh, one of India’s most popular esports figures, now joins Revenant XSpark as its brand ambassador. With over 10 million followers, Scout brings his influential presence to the team, fostering a global fan base. Scout, who originally built the Team XSpark roster and led them to historic victories, will bring his expertise and following to this new partnership.
“I’ve known Rohit for some time and admire Revenant’s content style—witty, with a touch of banter,” said Scout. “It’s the vibe I envisioned for XSpark. Our combined vision to expand esports across India and internationally made this partnership a perfect fit. Joining forces to take Revenant XSpark global was a no-brainer.”
Revenant Esports, founder & CEO, Rohit Jagasia added, “Scout and I share a personal connection, and our brands naturally align in values and fan appeal. Scout’s approach to content, covering gaming and entertainment across platforms, makes him the ideal ambassador as we establish Revenant XSpark as India’s premier esports organisation.”
To celebrate the merger, Revenant XSpark, along with ScoutOP and the BGMI team, will host an exclusive meet-and-greet in Mumbai this November. Fans can look forward to a chance to meet their favourite players and Scout himself; updates will be shared via Revenant XSpark’s social media channels.
Continuing its momentum, Revenant XSpark plans to launch new esports IPs. Recently, Revenant Esports partnered with IPL’s Gujarat Titans for the BGMI Titans, an open-for-all esports tournament. Revenant Esports has also made strides internationally, representing India in the Pokémon UNITE World Championship, the Brawl Stars World Finals, and winning VALORANT Challengers 2024: South Asia – Split 2 to represent India at VCT Pacific Ascension.
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.
