KRAFTON to invest $250 Mn in Indian AI, deeptech startups
South Korean gaming giant KRAFTON plans to invest an additional $250 Mn (₹3,300 Cr) in Indian startups over the next three to four years, expanding its focus beyond gaming to artificial intelligence, robotics and deeptech.
This will take KRAFTON’s total planned investment in India to $500 Mn (₹6,600 Cr), including the $250 Mn it has already invested in the country. Separately, KRAFTON, in partnership with Mirae Asset Global Investments and NAVER, launched a $670 Mn venture fund to back Indian startups last year.
KRAFTON chairman Byung Gyu Chang met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. During the meeting, Chang reaffirmed KRAFTON’s commitment to India and its rapidly growing gaming, technology and digital entertainment ecosystem.
“... Through our investments, skill-development initiatives and focus on emerging technologies, we look forward to working alongside India’s growing community of creators, developers and entrepreneurs to build globally relevant experiences and technologies,” added Chang.
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KRAFTON’s India portfolio includes esports startup NODWIN, streaming platform Loco and self-publishing platform Pratilipi. It also acquired a controlling 75% stake in Pune-based gaming studio Nautilus Mobile last year. Its flagship product, Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), formerly known as PUBG, has surpassed 260 Mn downloads in the country.
KRAFTON is expanding its investment focus in India as the ban on real-money gaming last year dealt a big blow to the local ecosystem. Many big names have either crumbled since then or pivoted to new business models, while early-stage funding activity has remained tepid for the sector.
KRAFTON likely sees deeptech and AI as the next big frontier for its investments in India. Indian AI startups raised $676 Mn during the first six months of 2026.
India’s AI economy is projected to become a $126 Bn opportunity by 2030, according to Inc42 data.
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