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Tag: Sean Hyunil Sohn

  • Krafton plots India’s path to esports glory

    Krafton plots India’s path to esports glory

    MUMBAI: Indian esports just got its marching orders. Krafton India chief executive Sean Hyunil Sohn has rolled out an ambitious 2026 roadmap designed to transform bedroom gamers into international champions. Speaking before thousands at the BGMI International Cup 2025 in New Delhi, Sohn unveiled an expanded tournament calendar spanning multiple cities—and a new awards ceremony to boot.

    The plan is deliciously simple: build a ladder. At the bottom sits BGMIS (Battlegrounds Mobile India Series), open to anyone with thumbs and ambition. Registrations open in late December 2025, with battles running January through March 2026. Survive that gauntlet and you graduate to BMPS (Pro Series) in May and June, where the winner bags a ticket to the Esports World Cup in Riyadh come July. Then comes BMSD (Showdown), a high-octane LAN slugfest running August to October. The cherry on top: BMIC (International Cup) in October, where India squares off against Korea and Japan on home turf.

    “This is more than a tournament calendar—it’s a structured pathway for Indian gamers to rise from grassroots to the global podium,” Sohn declared. The company is putting its money where its mouth is. In 2025 alone, Krafton’s tournaments offered a collective prize pool exceeding Rs 4 crore.

    The timing couldn’t be better. India’s esports scene has shed its scrappy underdog skin. Stadium-scale events now replace dingy internet cafés. Government recognition and corporate cash are flowing in. Krafton’s BGMI has racked up 240 million downloads, and the company has sunk over $200 million into Indian startups since 2021.

    Krafton India  associate director for esports Karan Pathak reckons the roadmap will democratise opportunity. “We want to give every player—from underdogs to champions—a platform to showcase their skill and represent India on the global stage,” he said.

    Krafton is also launching the inaugural Krafton India Awards on 9 January 2026 in Mumbai, a new annual bash to recognise the country’s gaming talent.

    The message is clear: India isn’t just playing anymore. It’s coming to win.

  • India gears up for Esports Conclave 2025 to shape gaming future

    India gears up for Esports Conclave 2025 to shape gaming future

    MUMBAI: India is levelling up in the esports arena, with the Esports Conclave 2025 set to take centre stage on 1 April in New Delhi. Organised by the Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI) in partnership with Krafton India and supported by Invest India as the knowledge partner, the conclave is poised to redefine the future of competitive gaming in the country.

    Bringing together senior government officials, policymakers, industry leaders, and esports professionals, the event will tackle crucial topics like international tournament readiness, investment opportunities, job creation, and esports infrastructure development. The discussions will also contribute to an Esports framework recommendation for the government, charting a course for esports regulation and industry recognition.

    With the theme “Forging the Path to Global Leadership”, the conclave will explore ways to integrate esports into Aatmanirbhar Bharat, positioning India as a powerhouse in the global gaming ecosystem.

    The need for a structured regulatory framework has become more pressing as esports gains momentum. With its inclusion in major sporting events like the Asian Games and the upcoming Olympic Esports Games 2027, the industry is no longer just a niche digital phenomenon, it’s a legitimate competitive sport with global stakes.

    PEFI secretary Piyush Jain said, “The upcoming Esports Conclave 2025 will mark a historic milestone in establishing India as a global powerhouse in the world of esports. Esports has evolved into a dynamic and competitive sporting industry with immense potential of growth. This conclave will serve as a catalyst, bringing together industry leaders, gamers, and policymakers to shape the future of esports in India. It will facilitate crucial discussions on policy frameworks, infrastructure, and opportunities for Indian talent on the global stage. PEFI is dedicated to making India a frontrunner in this digital sports revolution and is fully prepared to embrace this new era of competitive gaming.”

    Krafton India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn said, “Esports is the future of competitive entertainment. With its official recognition in premier sporting events such as the Asian Games and the upcoming Olympic Esports Games 2027, Indian athletes now have the opportunity to compete on the world’s biggest stages. At Krafton India, we are committed to fostering a structured, sustainable, and internationally competitive esports ecosystem that empowers players and drives industry growth. Esports Conclave 2025 is a defining moment in this journey, bringing together policymakers, industry pioneers, and esports professionals to shape a long-term vision for India’s Esports industry.”

    Nodwin Gaming co-founder & managing director Akshat Rathee said, “With esports now finding a place in major international sporting events, India has a real shot at becoming a global contender. Esports Conclave 2025 is an important step in that direction – it’s where the right conversations can happen between the industry, government, and other key players. Whether it’s building grassroots programs, improving tournament ecosystems, or integrating esports into initiatives like Khelo India, this platform gives us a chance to align on what the future should look like. The goal is simple: create the structure and support needed for Indian esports talent to thrive on the world stage.”

    The Indian gaming industry is projected to hit 7.5 billion dollars by FY28, growing at a staggering CAGR of 20 per cent. As one of the fastest-growing esports markets in the world, India is not just playing the game, it’s setting new rules.

    By bringing together visionaries from policy and industry, Esports Conclave 2025 is more than just a conference; it’s a game-changing moment for India’s digital economy. With strategic vision, investment, and collaboration, India is gearing up to not only participate in the global esports arena but to dominate it.

  • South Korean gaming titan Krafton guns for India’s lucrative market: PTI report

    South Korean gaming titan Krafton guns for India’s lucrative market: PTI report

    MUMBAI: South Korean gaming powerhouse Krafton, creator of the wildly popular Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), is loading up its investment arsenal as it targets expansion in India—a territory that ranks among its top five global markets. The company has already pumped $200 million into Indian ventures and isn’t about to hit pause on its spending spree anytime soon.

    Krafton India chief executive Sean Hyunil Sohn is positively bullish about the country’s gaming prospects. “We want to double down on gaming and its addressable area,” Sohn told PTI, adding that the company sees “much bigger potential for the next two to three years.”

    What makes India such an irresistible playground for Krafton? The answer lies in its unique “mobile gaming native” status. While gamers in mature markets typically evolved from consoles to PCs before embracing mobile, Indian players cut their teeth directly on smartphones—a distinction that has Krafton’s boardroom salivating.

    The demographics certainly stack the deck in India’s favour. A young, tech-savvy population coupled with rapidly increasing smartphone adoption creates the perfect storm for gaming growth. Despite being a relative lightweight on the global gaming scene, India’s potential has Krafton ready to place hefty bets on its future.
    “We will not stop investing… say at $200-300 million,” Sohn declared. “We are still actively looking at opportunities to invest and maybe acquire.” 

    After a cracking financial performance in 2024, the company feels flush enough to double down on India, which it views as one of its strongest performing markets.

    What’s Krafton looking for in potential partners? 

    The company, which prides itself on maintaining a developer’s mindset despite its global publisher status, seeks collaborators who are “really passionate about game development.” Any acquisition targets must share Krafton’s enthusiasm for India’s gaming potential.

    Sohn believes India has the muscle to create games for global markets but laments the lack of awareness about gaming as a viable career path. 

    “We need support from the government and education institutions to put the best talent out for the younger generation,” he urged, calling for a concerted effort to level up India’s gaming ecosystem.

    With its mobile-first culture, youthful demographics, and Krafton’s deep pockets backing it, India’s gaming industry appears primed to score big in the coming years. Game on!

  • Cashfree Payments secures $53 million in funding round led by Krafton

    Cashfree Payments secures $53 million in funding round led by Krafton

    MUMBAI: Digital payments are moving at breakneck speed, and Cashfree Payments is keeping pace like a fintech sprinter on a caffeine high. The company has just bagged a cool $53 million (Rs 450 crore) in a funding round led by Korean digital entertainment giant Krafton, with continued backing from Apis Growth Fund II, managed by Apis Partners Group (UK) Limited. This fresh infusion of cash is set to supercharge innovation, fuel market expansion, and catapult Cashfree onto the global stage.

    At its heart, Cashfree Payments is all about making transactions effortless—helping businesses collect payments, send payouts instantly, verify identities, and sniff out fraud before it even thinks about knocking. And the numbers don’t lie: merchant signups have skyrocketed 130% year-over-year, proving that Cashfree is scaling faster than your last online shopping spree.

    With a mission to redefine digital transactions, Cashfree enables businesses to start accepting payments within a day through popular platforms like Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce, and WhatsApp.

    Cashfree Payments CEO & co-founder Akash Sinha shared his excitement, “We are excited to welcome Krafton as a strategic partner with continued support from our existing investors, Apis Growth Fund II and the team at Apis Partners. Our mission at Cashfree Payments has been to empower Indian businesses with the ability to transact in the digital economy with unparalleled security and efficiency. This investment will help us accelerate our key efforts – across cross-border and security innovations and international expansion – as we enter the next phase of our growth journey. Growing sustainably has been core to our identity and how we function at Cashfree Payments. We are focused on driving profitable growth as we scale. Our mission is clear: to create long-term value for our customers and lead innovation in the payments space, both in India and internationally.”

    Krafton sees Cashfree’s market dominance as a springboard for global expansion. Krafton India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn highlighted, “India’s fintech industry is experiencing remarkable growth, and we believe Cashfree Payment’s dominant position in India can be replicated globally. As the media and entertainment sector and content consumption patterns in India continue to evolve, full-stack payment systems that specifically address the needs and requirements of the sector are crucial for enhancing user experience. The investment is part of Krafton’s ongoing efforts to support innovative solutions that drive growth and foster a dynamic startup ecosystem. We look forward to further strengthening this partnership and exploring future opportunities.”

    Adding to this, Apis Partners co-founders & managing partners, Matteo Stefanel and Udayan Goyal stated, “As an industry leader with a history of pioneering innovations, Cashfree Payments’ proven track record continues to put it in a leadership position. We are excited to continue our support for its continued growth and success. Apis’ investment philosophy is that there should be no trade-off between returns for LPs and positive societal impact, and the investment in Cashfree is proving to be a perfect example of that.”

    Among Cashfree’s latest advancements is Secure ID, a comprehensive identity verification stack designed to curb fraud.

    . AI-powered KYC flows that minimise user input and reduce drop-offs.

    . Intelligent fraud detection that reads and verifies identity documents with pinpoint accuracy.

    . Over 1 billion identity and user verifications completed to date.

    As security threats evolve, Cashfree is doubling down on tech-driven solutions that protect both businesses and consumers.

    With $80 billion in annual transactions and a customer base of eight lakh businesses, including Swiggy, redbus, Zepto, bigbasket, and Bajaj Finance, Cashfree is not slowing down. The company is authorised by the RBI to operate as a payment aggregator for domestic and cross-border payments, making it one of the first entities in India with such approval.

    Beyond India, Cashfree is expanding into the UAE and exploring opportunities across the Middle East, further solidifying its global ambitions.

  • KRAFTON signs MoU with Gujarat government to boost esports and gaming ecosystem

    KRAFTON signs MoU with Gujarat government to boost esports and gaming ecosystem

    Mumbai: In a significant development for the Indian gaming industry, KRAFTON Inc, the leading South Korean video game developer, has announced a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Gujarat and TransStadia Technologies Pvt Ltd. This collaboration is set to stimulate the technology, gaming, and esports ecosystem in Gujarat, furthering KRAFTON’s dedicated efforts to cultivate India’s overall gaming and technology environment.

    The vibrant state of Gujarat, known for its rapid economic growth and burgeoning status as a magnet for foreign direct investment (FDI), is now poised to become a pivotal center for the esports and gaming industry. The state’s commitment to technological innovation and digital infrastructure makes it an ideal partner for KRAFTON, aiming to propel the local and national gaming scenes to new heights.

    “We are immensely proud to announce our partnership with the Government of Gujarat, a collaboration representing a significant stride forward for game development and esports in India. By combining Gujarat’s vibrant growth environment and our expertise in game development and esports, we are set to create unparalleled opportunities for talent development, infrastructure enhancement, and community engagement. We firmly believe that this collaboration will have a profound and positive impact, fostering innovation, and inspiring a new generation of gamers and developers.” said KRAFTON India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn.

    The government of Gujarat expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasising its alignment with the state’s vision for digital and economic growth. government of Gujarat minister for home, sports, youth and cultural activities Harsh Sanghavi remarked, “Government of Gujarat will benefit from this collaboration with KRAFTON as it will undoubtedly catalyze our efforts to transform Gujarat into an indigenous and interactive hub for e-sports. We look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have on our youth and the broader esports gaming community.”

    KRAFTON has already invested $160 million in Indian startups since 2021 and plans to invest an additional $150 million over the next two to three years. In line with this commitment, KRAFTON recently launched the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator program, an initiative designed to nurture game development talent in India by providing funding, mentorship, and essential resources to promising developers.

    More recently, KRAFTON India also hosted BMPS 2023 (Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series) in Ahmedabad, a collaborative effort by KRAFTON and the city of Ahmedabad to foster the growing gaming ecosystem. With the signing of this MoU, the future of gaming and esports in Gujarat and India at large is brighter than ever. This collaboration is expected to create new opportunities, nurture talent, and establish Gujarat as a landmark destination for the global gaming community.

  • KRAFTON India announces Ranveer Singh as BGMI’s brand ambassador

    KRAFTON India announces Ranveer Singh as BGMI’s brand ambassador

    Mumbai: In a landmark move, KRAFTON India is thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration that is set to redefine the gaming landscape in India. Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh, has been named the official Brand Ambassador for BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI). This strategic partnership aims to bring together the thrill of gaming and the charisma of Superstar Ranveer Singh to engage and deliver elevated experiences for millions of gamers across the country.

    The collaboration between BGMI and Singh is a monumental stride towards celebrating gaming as a medium for immersive entertainment and community engagement. BGMI, India’s most loved battle royale title, has found its perfect partner in Singh, who resonates with the energy and passion that gamers bring to the battlegrounds. This first-of-its-kind alliance marks a remarkable synergy of two forces that thrive on pushing boundaries, poised to bring gaming and BGMI to the masses in an unprecedented manner.

    With this collaboration, KRAFTON will launch the Play Pure campaign that celebrates the pure-ness in players through the lens of superstar Ranveer Singh. As a part of the campaign, BGMI players will be urged to be bold and celebrate their authenticity in the Battlegrounds!

    KRAFTON India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn expressed his enthusiasm about this landmark partnership, stating, “We are elated to welcome Superstar Ranveer Singh to the BGMI family. His magnetic persona and unrelenting spirit align seamlessly with the essence of BGMI. KRAFTON has always been committed to providing immersive and captivating experiences for our users. This collaboration opens up a new avenue to bring exciting and engaging content that will resonate with gaming enthusiasts across the nation. Stay tuned as we embark on a new era of gaming entertainment.”

    Singh, equally excited about this new venture, shared his thoughts, “As an artist, I find gaming to be an extension of my creative expression. The dedication, the competitiveness, the camaraderie and the team spirit in the gaming world resonate with me deeply. BGMI has evolved into a cultural phenomenon by creating a platform that brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, transcending borders through their shared passion for gaming. I am thrilled to be part of this journey and look forward to exciting interactions with the Indian gaming community.”