Liquidnitro Games $19.1M Series A: AI Gaming Revolution India
Hyderabad-based Liquidnitro Games has secured $19.1 million in Series A funding led by Northpoint Capital, marking a major milestone for India's AI-driven gaming ecosystem. The round, which includes participation from existing investor Nexus Venture Partners, will fuel expansion of the company's proprietary platform for game development and live services. This funding underscores growing investor confidence in AI's role in transforming global game publishing, especially in high-growth markets like India.
What is Liquidnitro Games? Full Explainer
Liquidnitro Games, founded in December 2023, is a Hyderabad-based studio specializing in AI-powered game production and live services for global publishers. Unlike traditional developers, Liquidnitro acts as a full-stack partner—handling everything from initial game building to ongoing live operations, monetization optimization, and geographic market adaptations.
Core Technology: Proprietary AI platform that uses data analytics and machine learning to shorten development cycles, predict player behavior, personalize experiences, and maximize retention in live-service games.
Services Offered: End-to-end game ops including P&L management, co-investment in projects, and scaling titles across platforms (mobile, PC, console) and regions.
Key Differentiator: Combines deep live-ops expertise with its own capital, allowing publishers to offload risks while tapping into Liquidnitro's AI-driven efficiencies.
In just two years, the startup has partnered with leading international publishers to operate major franchises, proving its model in a competitive $200+ billion global gaming industry.
Founders: Ex-EA Veterans Driving Innovation
The company was built by a quartet of Electronic Arts alumni with proven track records in blockbuster titles:
Sandeep Kowdley (CEO): Led live services for Bejeweled, Tetris, and Plants vs Zombies.
Krishna Dhanekula, Arun Kunchala, Suresh Manthena: Experts in Need for Speed, Real Racing, The Sims, and geo-adaptation strategies.
Their combined experience managing multi-year, high-revenue franchises gives Liquidnitro an edge in creating scalable, data-driven live games—a critical need as player acquisition costs soar.
Series A Funding Breakdown
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Amount Raised | $19.1 million |
Lead Investor | Northpoint Capital |
Other Participants | Nexus Venture Partners (seed investor) |
Previous Funding | ~$5.25 million seed (March 2024) |
Use of Funds | AI platform scaling, talent hiring, publisher partnerships, co-investments, global expansion (India, MENA, SEA) |
This round values Liquidnitro's rapid traction, with investors betting on its ability to become the "go-to partner" for AI-enhanced game ops.
Investor Quotes: Why They're Bullish
Sameer Brij Verma, Northpoint Capital CIO: "Liquidnitro is quietly becoming the go-to AI-powered production, live services, and TAM expansion partner for the world's leading game publishers... creating a powerful new operating model."
Pratik Poddar, Nexus VP: "A category-defining company" backed since day zero, highlighting its execution with marquee partners.
These endorsements signal strong validation amid a selective funding environment for gaming startups.
India Gaming Boom: Perfect Timing
India's digital gaming market is exploding, projected to hit $4.3 billion by FY2030 from ~$2 billion in FY2025, driven by mid-core games and in-app purchases.
Growth Drivers: Rising smartphone penetration, AI personalization, and live-service models—Liquidnitro's sweet spot.
Investment Angle: With global publishers eyeing India's 500M+ gamers, AI platforms like Liquidnitro offer leveraged exposure to this 18% CAGR sector without building from scratch.
For investors and fintech enthusiasts, this funding spotlights AI's intersection with gaming as the next high-growth frontier in Indian tech.
