- The move will enable export of Made in India Technology & IP, especially games representing Indian mythology, culture, and content
- WinZO is committed to investing US $50 million to expand the presence of Made in India games, IP & Technology in the LATAM.
WinZO, India’s largest vernacular interactive entertainment platform, today announced its strategic partnership with Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV EAESP), LATAM’s premier educational institution, for research projects and hiring local talent to expand rapidly in Brazil and beyond. This is further to the launch of the product in Brazil last year which also enabled over 100 partner games to immediately export their Technology & IP to Brazil. The move, which will facilitate career opportunities for current and former FGV students, ensures that WinZO attracts top-tier talent familiar with the local market, enhancing its operational effectiveness and cultural integration in Brazil. The partnership is poised to significantly deepen WinZO’s presence in Brazil, extending WinZO’s commitment to invest US$50 million in LATAM to expand its presence.
This partnership symbolizes cultural exchange, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence, paving the way for a future where Indian creativity and technology shine on the world stage. Together, we will build bridges, captivate hearts, and inspire a brighter, more interconnected future. WinZO’s partnership with FGV EAESP is set to revolutionize the consumer-tech industry. By unlocking Latin American markets, this collaboration equips Indian gaming companies with the insights and strategies needed to thrive in this vibrant region, creating new revenue streams and job opportunities.
Merging Indian technological expertise with FGV’s local market knowledge, we are pioneering innovation, successful international expansion and exports through collaborative excellence. Together, WinZO will develop culturally relevant and groundbreaking consumer tech products, setting new standards in game development and business strategies. Joint research initiatives will fuel this transformation, ensuring our products resonate deeply with Latin American consumers with their own distinct needs.
Beyond business success, this partnership empowers future generations through student exchange programs. Indian students will gain global exposure and practical experience, inspiring them to innovate and create exportable technology and intellectual property. This collaboration symbolizes cultural exchange, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
“We are excited about the collaboration with WinZO, which presents a unique opportunity for FGV students and alumni to engage in a global technology ecosystem. By facilitating industry experience, and employment opportunities through this partnership, WinZO is not only enriching our students’ professional prospects but also contributing to the global dialogue on technological innovation and cultural exchange,” commented Dr.Umesh Mukhi, Professor of Management at FGV – Fundação Getulio Vargas.
WinZO has also established the first-ever India Pavilion in partnership with Startup India under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, at Gamescom Latam, a prominent gaming event in Latin America. The India Pavilion offers a platform for Indian content to shine on the global stage, showcasing 100 games from the game developer partners that are available on WinZO and 20 other diverse games from Indian developers, including genres like cricket, mythology, puzzles, racing, physics-based challenges, and chess. These developers, identified through WinZO’s Bharat Tech Triumph Program—a nationwide competition—have the potential to elevate India to a leadership position in the global gaming arena. The India Pavilion was inaugurated by Shri Suresh Reddy, Ambassador of India to Brazil and Marilia Marton, São Paulo’s Secretary for Culture, Creative Economy, and Industries.
WinZO’s expansion into the Brazilian market marks a significant milestone in its global growth strategy, aligning with India’s objectives of enhancing its tech prowess. The India Pavilion at Gamescom along with the partnership with FGV, will enable WinZO to further strengthen tech and trade in Latam.
“India and Brazil share a long-standing and cherished relationship strengthened by shared values of cooperation and sustainable development, reflected in our flourishing trade and investment ties. The launch of the India Pavilion at Gamescom Latam aims to connect our entrepreneurs and startups, fostering innovation, cultural exchange, and global expansion, especially in the gaming sector. Together, we continue to build a future of collaborative growth and mutual prosperity,” said Suresh K. Reddy, Ambassador of India to Brazil, who was the Guest of Honor at the launch of the India Pavilion.
“Brazil places great emphasis on the creative economy, with online gaming serving as a powerful tool for creative expression, imagination, and innovation. It helps monetize content and showcases our culture, channeling the energy of our youth. With minimal investment, online games can be monetized globally, offering endless possibilities. Imagine Brazil’s festivals unfolding in Indian cities or games exploring ancient routes between India and Latin America. As Indian and Brazilian companies invest in each other’s gaming startups, we gain deeper insights into each other’s cultures and work ethics. Gamescom LATAM is a unique opportunity—let’s seize it,” said Marilia Marton, São Paulo’s Secretary for Culture, Creative Economy, and Industries.
“Partnering with FGV Brazil marks a significant milestone in WinZO’s journey to deepen its footprint in the Brazilian market. By hiring local talent and fostering research collaboration, we aim to not only enhance our operational capabilities but also integrate more seamlessly into the local culture,” said Paavan Nanda, Co-founder of WinZO. “The India Pavilion at Gamescom Latam showcases the rich talent of Indian game developers on a global stage, highlighting our tech prowess and facilitating strategic dialogues between India and Brazil, supporting the development of sunrise industries like gaming. By fostering these connections, we aim to bolster trade and contribute to the growth of both nations’ digital economies. We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration will bring and look forward to a mutually prosperous relationship with the Brazilian gaming community,” Nanda added.
In India, WinZO partnered with Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT-D), Delhi Technological University (DTU), Netaji Subhash University of Technology (NSUT), and IIIT-D to develop open-source technology to protect the internet users against cyber actors. WinZO has collaborated with professors from Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Delhi, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Madras, as well as Stanford University and California State University, among others, to establish a scientific methodology to accurately differentiate between gaming activities requiring the predominance of skill and those dependent on chance.
WinZO launched its app in Brazil in October 2023, enabling its 100+ partner game developers to export games and gain free access to Brazil, the fourth-largest mobile gaming market with over 90 million users. With the launch of the India Pavilion at Gamescom and collaboration with local institutes, the company plans to further expand its collaborations with game developers to export their games to the remotest corners of the world.
About WinZO
WinZO is the largest interactive entertainment platform in India. Launched in early 2018, the Company partners with third-party developers to host games on their app, where users can enjoy personalized multiplayer gameplay experiences. The platform is available in 13 languages such as English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, and Bhojpuri, with over 200 million registered users. The WinZO platform facilitates over 5 billion micro-transactions per month across a portfolio of 100+ games. WinZO is focused on building an enthusiastic community of gamers and gaming influencers in Tier 2 – 5 cities in India. The Company envisions a future where the WinZO platform can deliver a culturally relevant and enjoyable experience in the Indian gaming ecosystem, monetized through a unique micro-transaction model. WinZO, a series-C-funded venture, has raised $100 million from Marquee gaming and entertainment investors such as Griffin Gaming partners, Courtside Ventures, and Makers Fund, all of whom made their first investments in the Indian start-up ecosystem through WinZO.