News on Medial

Related News

Nazara acquires 47.7% stake in PokerBaazi’s parent for $100 Mn

EntrackrEntrackr · 10m ago
Nazara acquires 47.7% stake in PokerBaazi’s parent for $100 Mn
Medial

Gaming firm Nazara has announced an investment of Rs 982 crore in PokerBaazi’s parent company, Moonshine Technology, to acquire a majority stake through a mix of secondary and primary share purchases. Nazara’s board has approved the acquisition of 18,96,674 equity shares of Moonshine from existing shareholders, including PSM Group, Bellerive Capital, and other individuals, via a secondary purchase, according to a disclosure sourced from the National Stock Exchange. The Mumbai-based company will acquire a 47.7% stake for a total consideration of Rs 832 crore ($100 million), which includes a secondary purchase of Rs 592 crore and a share swap valued at Rs 239 crore. As part of the deal, Nazara will also invest Rs 150 crore to purchase primary shares of Moonshine. This additional investment will make Nazara as the majority stakeholder in PokerBaazi. This deal represents one of the largest consolidations in the poker space, which is considered a skill-based gaming segment. PokerBaazi accounts for over 85% of Moonshine’s net revenue, while its fantasy sports platform, SportsBaazi, contributes 12%. As of May 2024, PokerBaazi reported approximately 340,000 monthly active users. Entrackr reached out to PokerBaazi and Nazara Games last month with a detailed questionnaire regarding the deal. At that time, PokerBaazi’s spokesperson dismissed the news as fake, while Nazara’s spokesperson referred to it as mere speculation. Nazara has been on an acquisition and investment spree since FY25, having acquired or invested in six startups over the past few months. Earlier this week, it acquired a 15.86% stake in e-sports startup Stan. Last month, it acquired UK-based Fusebox Games for $27.2 million in an all-cash transaction. Additionally, Nazara acquired Kiddopia’s developer Paper Boat Apps, secured IP rights for Ultimate Teen Patti, and took over assets of DeltiasGaming.

Nazara raises Rs 495 Cr from Arpit Khandelwal and Mithun Sacheti-led Axana Estates

EntrackrEntrackr · 5m ago
Nazara raises Rs 495 Cr from Arpit Khandelwal and Mithun Sacheti-led Axana Estates
Medial

Nazara raises Rs 495 Cr from Arpit Khandelwal and Mithun Sacheti-led Axana Estates Nazara Technologies Limited has raised Rs 495 crore (nearly $60 million), led by Axana Estates LLP, whose designated partners include Arpit Khandelwal, founder and managing partner of Plutus Wealth Management LLP, and Mithun Sacheti, founder of Caratlane. This strategic partnership aims to propel Nazara toward global gaming leadership by leveraging the collective expertise and resources of its new investors alongside its existing promoters, Vikash and Nitish Mittersain. Post-investment, Axana Estates will acquire approximately a 5.40% stake in Nazara, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. Moreover, Plutus Wealth Management LLP and Axana Estates LLP, in collaboration with Persons Acting in Concert (PACs), have announced plans to launch a public open offer to acquire an additional 26% stake in Nazara Technologies Limited. The new investment will support the company's growth through strategic acquisitions and market expansion. The transaction also strengthens Nazara's mobile gaming portfolio with the acquisition of two popular mobile game IPs, 'CATS: Crash Arena' and 'King of Thieves,' from ZeptoLab for $7.7 million (Rs 67 crore). This move bolsters Nazara's position in the global mobile gaming market, with the titles to be published under the "Nazara Publishing" banner. In the September quarter (Q2 FY25), Nazara Technologies reported a 7.3% year-on-year increase in revenue to Rs 318.94 crore, while its profit grew by 10.85% to Rs 21.97 crore.

Nazara invests Rs 196 Cr in five firms including Funky Monkeys Play

EntrackrEntrackr · 7m ago
Nazara invests Rs 196 Cr in five firms including Funky Monkeys Play
Medial

Nazara Technologies Limited, India's premier listed gaming and esports company, has invested Rs 196 crores in four gaming companies. The company acquired a 60% stake in Funky Monkeys Play for Rs 43.7 crore. This investment in Funky Monkeys Play is aimed to expand Nazara’s footprints into physical entertainment. Nazara also invested Rs 4.2 crores in LearnTube.ai, an AI-driven educational platform with over 20 lakh users, to improve gamified learning experiences. The rest of the Rs 148 crore has been allocated to existing subsidiaries, including Nodwin Gaming, Sportskeeda, and Datawrkz at Rs 64 crore, Rs 69 crore and Rs 15 crore, respectively. “These initiatives align with our vision of creating a diversified global gaming and entertainment platform,” said Nitish Mittersain, CEO, Nazara. Nazara continues to dominate India's esports landscape with back to back acquisitions through main and subsidiaries. Recently, Nazara-backed NODWIN Gaming acquired a gaming agency Trinity Gaming for $2.8 million. In October, Nazara' subsidiary Datawrkz acquired a 100% stake in UK-based Space & Time. It also invested Rs 982 crore in PokerBaazi’s parent Moonshine Technology and acquired stakes in e-sports companies such as Stan, Fusebox Games, Kiddopia’s developer Paper Boat Apps, Ultimate Teen Patti, and DeltiasGaming. Last month, the Mumbai-based firm also raised Rs 855 crore (approximately $100 million) through a preferential issue. Nazara’s revenue from operations reported a modest growth of 7.4% Q-o-Q to Rs 319 crore in Q2 FY25 with profits increasing only 2.4% to Rs 21.75 crore in the same period. Before the market closed on Monday, the company’s shares were trading at Rs 1,012, with a total market capitalization of Rs 7,747 crore (approximately $922 million).

Download the medial app to read full posts, comements and news.