Gurugram-based NODWIN Gaming, a global player in gaming, esports and youth entertainment, has announced a set of strategic developments as it moves closer to a public listing. The company has initiated a pre-IPO fundraising round while also strengthening its leadership team with the appointment of industry veteran Arnd Benninghoff to its Board of Directors.

According to a NODWIN press release, the upcoming funding round will include a mix of primary issuance aimed at supporting the company’s global expansion through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. The round will also feature a secondary sale to provide liquidity to existing shareholders. The development comes at a time when the company has returned to EBITDA profitability while recording a strong 42 percent year-on-year revenue growth, reaching $58.5 million in the first nine months of FY2026.

Benninghoff joins the board bringing more than a decade of experience in the global gaming and media sectors. Currently serving as Executive Vice President of Gaming at Modern Times Group (MTG), he has been leading the company’s strategic investments and portfolio growth since 2014. Over the years, he has held several key leadership roles including Chief Digital Officer at ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE, Managing Director of SevenVentures and CEO of Holtzbrinck eLAB.

A seasoned entrepreneur, Benninghoff has founded and built fifteen companies and began his professional journey as a journalist with Deutsche Presse-Agentur as well as several television networks. He holds a Diplom-Kaufmann degree in Business and Administration from the University of Münster and has also previously served on the Board of Directors of Edgeware AB.

Commenting on his appointment, Benninghoff said he has long admired NODWIN Gaming’s trajectory and its ability to build strong community-led ecosystems in some of the world’s most dynamic markets. He noted that the company operates at the intersection of sports, entertainment and technology, making it one of the most exciting players in the global gaming landscape. He added that he looks forward to working closely with co-founder and managing director Akshat Rathee and the team to help drive the company’s next phase of growth and innovation.

Rathee, meanwhile, said Benninghoff brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial insight and large-scale strategic experience across the gaming and media ecosystem. According to him, Benninghoff’s understanding of building startups as well as managing global portfolios aligns well with NODWIN’s ambition to become a leading voice of gaming and youth culture in the Global South.

As part of its capital market preparations, the company has also appointed UBS as the lead advisor for the pre-IPO fundraising round and the subsequent public listing.

Over the past few years, NODWIN Gaming has expanded its international presence significantly, particularly across South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The company’s ecosystem spans esports, gaming, music and youth culture, positioning it strongly in fast-growing emerging markets.

Its global footprint has been further strengthened by the acquisition of StarLadder, a Ukraine-based tournament organiser known for producing major AAA esports events including competitions for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2. The company also continues to serve as a long-term strategic marketing partner for the Evolution Championship Series (EVO), widely regarded as the world’s most iconic fighting game tournament.

In addition, NODWIN’s portfolio includes well-known properties such as DreamHack India and Comic Con India, strengthening its position as a bridge between global gaming publishers and one of the fastest-growing youth audiences worldwide.