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WinZO concludes 4th ESOP buyback

EntrackrEntrackr · 9m ago
WinZO concludes 4th ESOP buyback
Medial

Online gaming startup Winzo has announced the completion of its fourth round of employee stock options plan (ESOP) liquidation. This initiative allows eligible employees, approximately 30% of WinZO’s workforce, comprising team members with at least two years of tenure, to liquidate their vested ESOPs. In the last 12 months, the company has filed more than 25 technology patents across the world for its supercomputing technology, real-time communication innovation, and AI applications in content creation. Established in 2018, Winzo offers over 100 games across categories such as strategy, sports, casual, card, arcade, racing, action, and board games. Previously, WinZO conducted three rounds of ESOP liquidation in 2021 and 2023. With a team of 200 members, WinZO has raised $100 million in cumulative funding from leading investors, including Griffin Gaming Partners, Maker’s Fund, Courtside Ventures, and Kalaari Capital. According to data intelligence platform, TheKredible, Winzo’s revenue from operations surged to Rs 674 crore in FY23 from Rs 234 crore in FY22. Similar to every online gaming platform, Winzo spent a major chunk (46% of its total expenditure) on marketing (advertising cum promotions). This cost surged 29.6% to Rs 258 crore in FY23. Recently, Whatfix rolled out a $58 million liquidity program for its employees and investors. In the ongoing calendar year, Swiggy, Urban Company, MyGate, Classplus, Meesho, The Sleep Company, XYXX, Purplle, Dehaaat, Leverage Edu, Pocket FM and Adda247 bought back ESOPs from their employees.

WinZO posts Rs 1,055 Cr revenue and Rs 315 Cr profit in FY24

EntrackrEntrackr · 2m ago
WinZO posts Rs 1,055 Cr revenue and Rs 315 Cr profit in FY24
Medial

WinZO posts Rs 1,055 Cr revenue and Rs 315 Cr profit in FY24 The company’s top and bottom lines appear impressive despite a significant policy headwind: a 400% hike in GST on online gaming, which increased to 28% on gross receipts starting October 1, 2023. Gaming publisher WinZO reported a 70% year-on-year surge in operating revenue to Rs 1,055 crore in the fiscal year ending March 2024, while its profit after tax (PAT) jumped 2.5X to Rs 315 crore during the same period, according to a company’s press release. The company’s top and bottom lines appear impressive despite a significant policy headwind: a 400% hike in GST on online gaming, which increased to 28% on gross receipts starting October 1, 2023. Since the revised tax rate applied only for half the fiscal year, WinZO expects the full financial impact to be visible in FY25. Founded by Paavan Nanda and Saumya Singh Rathore, WinZO claims to have 250 million registered users. Backed by 50 developer partners and a lean team of 200 employees, the company also claims to have filed over 50 tech patents. Its game portfolio largely comprises casual titles such as Carrom, Ludo, 8 Ball Pool, and Chess. According to the release, the company facilitated 1 in every 200 UPI transactions in India last year and has built a network of over 75,000 micro-influencers and gaming creators in smaller cities and towns. WinZO has raised $100 million in funding from global investors including Kalaari Capital, Griffin, Courtside Ventures, and Makers Fund. In FY23, the company transitioned to IndAS accounting standards. As a result, it recorded a non-cash expense of Rs 999 crore due to fair value treatment of CCPS as liabilities, not equity.

Five year old Eloelo reports zero revenue and Rs 99 Cr loss in FY24

EntrackrEntrackr · 3m ago
Five year old Eloelo reports zero revenue and Rs 99 Cr loss in FY24
Medial

Five-year-old Eloelo reports zero revenue and Rs 99 Cr loss in FY24 Venture capital firm, Play Ventures backed five-year-old company remained in the pre-revenue stage until March 2024 (FY24) while continuing to incur losses. Venture capital firms Play Ventures, along with existing backers Westbridge and Kalaari, have shown strong conviction in the potential of live social entertainment startup Eloelo. Together, they have infused $50 million into the company, including a recent $13 million round. However, the five-year-old firm remained in the pre-revenue stage until March 2024 (FY24) while continuing to incur losses. While the company posted zero operating revenue during FY24, it made Rs 5 crore from interest on fixed deposits, according to the firm’s annual financial statements sourced from the Registrar of Companies (RoC). Eloelo is a social gaming and live streaming platform that brings native activities like tambola, antakshari and musical chairs in live formats with creators hosting games for their community of fans. The Bengaluru-based company spent heavily on marketing to attract and retain users. Advertising and promotional expenses were its largest cost center, accounting for nearly 38.5% of total expenses, more than doubling to Rs 40 crore in FY24 from Rs 17 crore in FY23. Employee benefit expenses also rose 2.4X to Rs 24 crore, while spending on content creators stood at Rs 14 crore. Technology costs amounted to Rs 14 crore, forming over 13% of the overall expenses, while other overheads contributed another Rs 12 crore in FY24. Overall, Eloelo’s total expenses surged 2.3X to Rs 104 crore in FY24 from Rs 45 crore in FY23. Consequently, the company’s net loss widened 2.3X to Rs 99 crore in FY24 compared to the previous fiscal year. The WestBridge-backed firm recorded current assets worth Rs 166 crore in FY24 including Rs 149 crore in cash and bank balance. According to TheKredible, Eloelo has raised a total of $50 million in funding till date, having WaterBridge Ventures as its lead investors. The company’s co-founders Saurabh Pandey and Akshay Dubey together own 20% of the company.

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