New Delhi: India’s esports and gaming business space is seeing a fresh push toward public markets. NODWIN Gaming has announced plans to begin a pre-IPO fundraising round, alongside a key leadership addition to its board. The move signals that the company is preparing for a potential stock market listing in the near future.

The Gurugram-based firm shared the update on March 16, 2026. It comes at a time when gaming companies are trying to scale globally and attract long-term capital. I have been tracking this space for a while, and honestly, not many Indian esports firms reach this stage. So this one stands out a bit.

Pre-IPO plans and financial momentum

NODWIN Gaming says the fundraising round will include both fresh capital and partial exits for existing investors. The idea is simple. Raise money for expansion and give some liquidity to early backers.

A few key details:

• Revenue grew 42 percent year on year
• Reached $58.5 million in first nine months of FY26
• Returned to EBITDA profitability

The company has appointed UBS as the lead advisor for both the pre-IPO round and the planned listing.

Board addition signals global ambition

The company has added Arnd Benninghoff to its Board of Directors. He currently serves as Executive Vice President of Gaming at Modern Times Group.

Benninghoff said, “I have long admired NODWIN Gaming’s incredible trajectory and its unique ability to build vibrant, community-first ecosystems in the world’s most dynamic markets.”

He added, “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.”

Expansion strategy and global footprint

NODWIN has been expanding beyond India into regions like South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The company is building a mix of esports, gaming events, and youth-focused content.

Some recent moves include, acquisition of StarLadder, a long-term partnership with Evolution Championship Series,  and ownership of IPs like DreamHack India and Comic Con India.

Co-founder Akshat Rathee said, “Arnd is a rare leader who understands the entire lifecycle of the gaming and media ecosystem.”

He added that the company aims “to become the definitive voice of gaming and youth culture in the Global South.”