South Korean gaming major Krafton, known for blockbuster titles like Battlegrounds Mobile India, has announced the second cohort of its India-focused Krafton India Gaming Incubator (KIGI). The new cohort features six innovative game development startups selected from across India, further strengthening Krafton's commitment to nurturing the local gaming ecosystem.
Each selected studio will receive up to $150,000 in funding, hands-on mentorship, and access to cutting-edge tools through global partnerships. The program also includes tailored support in areas such as game design, monetization strategy, visual art, and performance marketing.
Meet the Startups
The second KIGI cohort brings together diverse voices and creative visions from cities like Kolkata, Madurai, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The selected startups are:
- Kleanup Games (Madurai):
Working on Chromadi, a retro-inspired shoot-’em-up game with vibrant color-mixing mechanics and a high-score focus. - Advaita Interactive (Kolkata):
Developing Inspectorium, a hidden-object detective game set in an alternate steampunk Kolkata, featuring AI-driven character interactions. - Singular Scheme (Mumbai):
Creators of Frontier Paladin, a story-rich RPG with tower-defense mechanics and mystical relics. - Smash Head Studio (Bengaluru):
Building Cricket Rivals, a real-time multiplayer game reimagining cricket as a fast-paced arcade sport. - Unwind Games and Ginger Games
While details about their projects remain under wraps, both studios are part of Krafton’s strategy to back diverse genres and design philosophies.
Tech Powerhouses Join as Partners
To enhance the incubator’s technical infrastructure and market readiness, Krafton has partnered with global leaders in gaming technology:
- AccelByte: Backend solutions for building and managing live service games
- AppMagic: Market intelligence for mobile app insights
- GameRefinery by Liftoff: Data-driven tools to improve game engagement and monetization
- AWS Activate: $10,000 in cloud credits for scalable infrastructure and analytics
Krafton's Vision for India's Game Developers
“With an expanded cohort, a wider regional focus, and strengthened partnerships with some of the biggest names in technology, we are equipping game developers with the resources, mentorship, and support they need to build games that can stand out globally,”
said Anuj Sahani, Head of Krafton India Incubator Program.
The program aims not only to support startups financially but also to help them transition from prototype to global-ready product.
Background: A Growing Commitment
Launched in October 2023, the Krafton India Gaming Incubator was envisioned as a long-term program to build India’s game development capabilities. The first cohort included four startups, some of which have already begun soft-launching games on the Play Store.
With this second cohort, Krafton expands both in scope and ambition—reaching deeper into India’s tier-2 creative hubs and aligning with international tech partners to ensure quality, scale, and global competitiveness.
Final Word
From retro shooters to narrative-driven RPGs and next-gen cricket titles, Krafton’s India Gaming Incubator is catalyzing a new wave of made-in-India game IPs. With increased funding, global mentorship, and access to scalable infrastructure, this initiative represents a major step forward in turning Indian gaming startups into global success stories.