KRAFTON Expands Recruitment for Fourth Cohort of India Gaming Incubator
KRAFTON (CEO CH Kim) has initiated the recruitment process for the fourth cohort of the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI) as of September 22. This program aims to enhance India’s game development ecosystem and, for the first time, supports late-stage development projects alongside early-stage ideas.
KIGI, launched in 2023, seeks to discover and nurture local developers while bolstering their global competitiveness. Selected startups will benefit from business funding, expert mentoring, and access to international platforms, allowing them to bring their original ideas to fruition.
Cohort 4 Eligibility and Expansion:
- The eligibility criteria have been significantly broadened.
- Mobile projects that have undergone beta testing or soft launches with promising early metrics are now eligible.
- For PC titles, applications are welcome for games that have demo versions on Steam, showing validated player interest through wishlists or awards.
This expanded support aims to strengthen the foundation for discovering and nurturing Indian gaming intellectual property (IP), providing tailored assistance throughout the development process.
Previous KIGI Achievements:
Previous cohorts have seen progress, including the first cohort completing their development and achieving soft launches. Notably, Cohort 2’s Singular Scheme released its action tower defense game, Frontier Paladin, on Steam, marking KIGI’s first commercial PC game.
Talent Development Initiatives:
Additionally, KRAFTON is committed to building the local industry’s infrastructure through talent development. The company has partnered with IIT Madras to launch the KIGI Academy, offering a comprehensive six-month program covering various aspects of game production. The first cohort includes 30 students, with 10 selected for a two-month internship at KRAFTON India.
Leadership Insights:
Anuj Sahani, Head of KIGI, emphasized the incubator’s goal to equip promising Indian developers with necessary resources to create globally competitive games. Meanwhile, Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of KRAFTON India, highlighted the rapid growth of creators aiming for global audiences.
KRAFTON’s Chairman, Chang Byung-gyu, met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the potential growth of the local gaming market and long-term support initiatives.
As KRAFTON continues to invest in the region, it aims to establish India as a creative hub for the global gaming industry.
