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

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).