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§ Private Profile · Gurugram, Haryana, India
Zupee is a technology company.
Zupee operates a digital platform for skill-based online gaming, transforming traditional casual games like Ludo into competitive formats. It emphasizes cognitive ability and strategy, providing engaging experiences where individual skill determines outcomes. The platform re-imagines familiar mechanics within a dynamic environment to encourage strategic play.
Co-founded in 2018 by Dilsher Malhi and Siddhant Saurabh, Zupee's genesis lay in observing classic games' social and competitive aspects. This insight drove them to create a platform elevating beloved games into skill-centric competitions, redefining online entertainment through mental engagement.
Zupee caters to mobile users seeking intellectually stimulating, competitive online game experiences. The company envisions cultivating meaningful digital interactions beyond entertainment, striving to enrich users' lives. Its long-term objective is providing a platform where strategic thinking is paramount, fostering community around intellectual gameplay.
Zupee has raised $121.0M across 5 funding rounds.
Zupee has raised $121.0M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Zupee is an Indian online gaming platform specializing in skill-based casual and board games like fast-paced Ludo, where users compete for real money rewards while enhancing logical thinking and cognitive skills[1][3]. It serves over 150 million registered users primarily in India (Bharat), solving the problem of accessible, culturally rooted entertainment by transforming traditional games into quick 2-10 minute skill-driven formats with transparent, safe play[3]. The company has shown strong growth momentum, raising $121M total funding (latest $72M Series B-II three years ago), achieving 12.5 billion total gameplays and 7 million daily games, while diversifying via acquisitions, subscriptions like Zupee Plus (ad-free gaming), and launches like Zupee Studio for short-form videos[1][2][3].
Despite regulatory challenges like government bans on real-money games leading to a 30% staff cut, Zupee remains resilient at Series B stage with 501-1000 employees, backed by investors including WestCap Group, Matrix Partners India, and Orios Venture Partners[1][2].
Zupee was founded in 2018 in New Delhi by Dilsher Singh Malhi (Co-Founder & CEO, IIT Kanpur alumnus) and Siddhant Saurabh (Co-Founder), both in their early 20s, driven by a vision to revive culturally rooted Indian games through skill-based online play[1][3][5]. The idea emerged from reimagining passive games like Ludo into skill-focused formats with move-based scoring, positioning Zupee as India's pioneer in skill-based Ludo gaming[3].
Early traction built quickly: In April 2019, it raised $1M seed funding; by April 2020, $8M Series A at $33M valuation amid rising mobile gaming adoption[3]. Pivotal moments include scaling to millions of users responsibly, emphasizing safety and transparency, with key leaders like COO Akanksha Dhamija joining to fuel growth[3].
Zupee rides the explosive growth of India's online gaming market, fueled by 150M+ smartphone users in tier-2/3 cities craving affordable, culturally familiar skill games amid rising digital entertainment demand[1][3]. Timing aligns with post-pandemic mobile gaming surge and Bharat's shift to vernacular content, where Zupee localizes experiences for mass adoption[2][3].
Market forces like favorable skill-game regulations (vs. chance-based bans) and AI/ML advancements work in its favor, enabling personalization at scale despite hurdles[2][4]. It influences the ecosystem by setting standards for safe real-money gaming, inspiring competitors like Games24x7 and Bombay Play, and expanding into multimedia via acquisitions—boosting India's $5B+ gaming sector toward global relevance[1].
Zupee is poised for diversified expansion beyond core gaming, leveraging AI storytelling, video platforms, and subscriptions to counter regulatory risks and tap non-gaming revenue[2]. Trends like real-time AI personalization, vernacular content, and cross-app liquidity will shape its path, potentially driving user growth past 200M amid India's gaming boom[3][4].
Its influence may evolve from Ludo pioneer to full-spectrum Bharat entertainment hub, with deeper VC backing enabling global outreach—cementing its role as a resilient tech innovator reviving cultural games for the digital age[1][2][3].
Zupee has raised $121.0M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Zupee's investors include Matrix Partners India, Weekend Fund, WestCap, Akshay Bhushan, Carl Pei, Kunal Shah, Tomales Bay Capital, Blockchain Capital, Tarun Davda, Manoj Kumar, Nitish Mittersain, Falcon Edge Capital.
Zupee has raised $121.0M across 5 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $72.0M Series B in January 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2022 | $72M Series B | — | Matrix Partners India, Weekend Fund, WestCap, Akshay Bhushan, Carl PEI, Kunal Shah | Announced |
| Aug 1, 2021 | $30M Series B | WestCap, Tomales BAY Capital | Blockchain Capital, Matrix Partners India, Weekend Fund, Akshay Bhushan, Carl PEI, Kunal Shah, Tarun Davda | Announced |
| Jan 1, 2021 | $10M Series A | WestCap | Matrix Partners India, Weekend Fund, Akshay Bhushan, Carl PEI, Kunal Shah, Matrix | Announced |
| Apr 1, 2020 | $8M Series A | Manoj Kumar, Tarun Davda | Matrix Partners India, Weekend Fund, WestCap, Akshay Bhushan, Carl PEI, Kunal Shah, Nitish Mittersain, Falcon Edge Capital, Orios Venture Partners, Harish Bahl | Announced |
| Apr 1, 2019 | $1M Seed | — | WestCap, Nitish Mittersain | Announced |