NODWIN Gaming Launches Sports Vertical, Ex-Adidas Executive Gurbaksh Virdi To Lead

IPO-bound NODWIN Gaming has launched NODWIN Sports, a mainstream sports vertical focused on developing sporting properties, mass-participation events, and commercial partnerships. 

The move expands NODWIN Gaming’s play beyond gaming and esports as it looks to build a broader youth media and entertainment business spanning live events, content, and intellectual property (IP).

The vertical will develop original sports and fitness properties, advise sports federations and governing bodies, facilitate brand and media partnerships, and provide operational and production support for sporting events.

India will serve as the base for NODWIN Sports’ expansion across markets in the Global South, the company said in a statement.

The launch comes as NODWIN Gaming prepares for a potential IPO. In March, cofounder and MD Akshat Rathee told Inc42 that the company was looking to raise around $100 Mn in a pre-IPO funding round. 

Gurbaksh Virdi To Lead New Vertical 

Gurbaksh Singh Virdi has joined NODWIN Gaming as vice president to lead the new vertical.

Virdi previously worked with Red Bull, U Sports, PUMA, Cornerstone, and Adidas India across sports marketing, athlete management, IP development, and commercial partnerships.

He also worked on running initiatives for Virat Kohli’s One8 brand at Cornerstone. Most recently, as sports marketing lead at Adidas India, he managed the brand’s initiatives across cricket, running, training, football, and motorsport, including partnerships with the BCCI and the Indian Olympic Association.

NODWIN Sports will draw on the company’s capabilities across content, production, partnerships, and community engagement to develop and operate sporting properties.

The company said its experience building youth-focused properties such as the BGMI Masters Series, Comic Con India, NH7 Weekender, and VCSA would help it create sports IPs targeting younger audiences. 

Founded in 2014 by Rathee and Gautam Virk, NODWIN Gaming operates across gaming, esports, pop culture, music, live events, and content. It counts Nazara Technologies, KRAFTON, Sony Group Corporation, JetSynthesys, and Good Game Investments among its investors.

The company operates in more than 20 countries and has been expanding through acquisitions and investments across gaming, esports, and youth entertainment. 

NODWIN Gaming is also taking a measured approach to its IPO timeline, with Rathee previously saying that the company would file its draft papers only after achieving financial, governance, investor, and internal readiness.

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