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Krafton India Invests in Bitkraft Ventures Global Fund to Boost Gaming and Consumer AI Startups
Krafton India announced on 22 June 2026 that it has made a strategic investment in Bitkraft Ventures’ Global Fund. The South Korean gaming giant did not disclose the size of the transaction, but said the move builds on a long‑standing relationship with the U.S. early‑stage investor.
Krafton, the parent company of the popular battle‑royale title PUBG, has a significant presence in India through its mobile gaming arm. Krafton India is responsible for the country’s flagship mobile game, Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), which has surpassed 260 million downloads. The investment signals the company’s continued focus on the rapidly growing Indian gaming market.
Bitkraft Ventures is a global investment platform that targets gaming, esports, Web3, and consumer AI. The firm manages more than $1 billion in assets across six funds and has a portfolio of over 130 companies. Its investment thesis covers pre‑seed to Series A rounds, and its Indian holdings include Lila Games, Airoclip and GameRamp.
Under the partnership, Krafton and Bitkraft will work together to support early‑stage founders developing the next generation of gaming, interactive media, consumer AI and emerging technology platforms. The collaboration aims to give startups access to capital, industry expertise and international business networks, helping them scale more efficiently and compete in global markets.
Jens Hilgers, founding general partner of Bitkraft, said the Indian gaming and consumer AI ecosystem is at a “thrilling inflection point” driven by talent and the first exits for global investors. Krafton India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn highlighted the quality of Indian entrepreneurs, noting that many founders build with a global mindset from the outset.
The partnership also reflects Bitkraft’s expanding focus on India. In December 2024 the firm appointed Anuj Tandon, a former Krafton India executive, to lead its India operations. Tandon has overseen more than $135 million in investments in Indian startups such as Nautilus Mobile, Kuku FM, Nodwin Gaming, Pratilipi and FRND.
Both companies see the collaboration as a way to accelerate innovation and unlock new growth opportunities for Indian startups. By combining Krafton’s industry reach with Bitkraft’s early‑stage expertise, the partnership aims to provide builders with the capital and cross‑border validation needed to succeed on a global stage.
The announcement marks a new chapter in the relationship between the two firms, but specific financial terms and deployment timelines remain undisclosed. The partnership is expected to lead to further investments in Indian gaming and AI startups, though the exact impact on the ecosystem will become clearer over time.
Krafton, the parent company of the popular battle‑royale title PUBG, has a significant presence in India through its mobile gaming arm. Krafton India is responsible for the country’s flagship mobile game, Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), which has surpassed 260 million downloads. The investment signals the company’s continued focus on the rapidly growing Indian gaming market.
Bitkraft Ventures is a global investment platform that targets gaming, esports, Web3, and consumer AI. The firm manages more than $1 billion in assets across six funds and has a portfolio of over 130 companies. Its investment thesis covers pre‑seed to Series A rounds, and its Indian holdings include Lila Games, Airoclip and GameRamp.
Under the partnership, Krafton and Bitkraft will work together to support early‑stage founders developing the next generation of gaming, interactive media, consumer AI and emerging technology platforms. The collaboration aims to give startups access to capital, industry expertise and international business networks, helping them scale more efficiently and compete in global markets.
Jens Hilgers, founding general partner of Bitkraft, said the Indian gaming and consumer AI ecosystem is at a “thrilling inflection point” driven by talent and the first exits for global investors. Krafton India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn highlighted the quality of Indian entrepreneurs, noting that many founders build with a global mindset from the outset.
The partnership also reflects Bitkraft’s expanding focus on India. In December 2024 the firm appointed Anuj Tandon, a former Krafton India executive, to lead its India operations. Tandon has overseen more than $135 million in investments in Indian startups such as Nautilus Mobile, Kuku FM, Nodwin Gaming, Pratilipi and FRND.
Both companies see the collaboration as a way to accelerate innovation and unlock new growth opportunities for Indian startups. By combining Krafton’s industry reach with Bitkraft’s early‑stage expertise, the partnership aims to provide builders with the capital and cross‑border validation needed to succeed on a global stage.
The announcement marks a new chapter in the relationship between the two firms, but specific financial terms and deployment timelines remain undisclosed. The partnership is expected to lead to further investments in Indian gaming and AI startups, though the exact impact on the ecosystem will become clearer over time.
