Playbook To Play Big, E-gaming Sector Takes Caution, and Ather Energy’s IPO Dreams

Growth-stage investor Playbook is ready to deploy $20 Mn each in up to 15 startups, while OneVerse shakes hands with Poker Dangal to up its gaming game. As the e-gaming sector grows, top industry bodies roll out a long-overdue 'Code of Ethics' to keep play safe and responsible. And in the EV lane, Ather Energy gears up for a much-anticipated IPO, converting preference shares to equity as it races to join Ola Electric on the public markets.

Grab your simmering cup of StartupChai.in and unwind with our hand-brewed memes.

“Soch Samajh Ke Khelo”: E-Gaming Industry Enforces ‘Code Of Ethics’ For Safe, Responsible Play

In a joint move to address growing concerns around online gaming, India’s top gaming bodies have introduced a ‘Code of Ethics’ to ensure safer and more responsible play.

The framework, announced on March 10, mandates stricter KYC, age-gating, and user-set spending limits — signaling a long-overdue attempt to curb rising risks of addiction and financial harm. As the e-gaming industry surges, this somber step reflects a recognition that growth must be balanced with accountability.

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“Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai”: Playbook Partners To Infuse $20 Mn Each In 12-15 Startups Over 2 Years

Playbook Partners is gearing up to deploy $20 million each in 12 to 15 startups over the next two years, with a sharp focus on companies already crossing the INR 100 Cr turnover mark. According to founder Choudhury, sectors like SaaS, ecommerce, and healthtech are on their radar, and three deals are reportedly in final stages, expected to be disclosed by next quarter.

Emerging from stealth mode only last September, Playbook had announced the first close of its $250 million fund at $130 million — signaling a calculated but cautious entry into India’s maturing growth-stage ecosystem.

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“Hum Saath Saath Hai”: OneVerse Partners Poker Dangal To Expand Its Gaming Portfolio

OneVerse has teamed up with Poker Dangal to widen its gaming portfolio, giving its users access to Poker Dangal’s platform of nearly 2 million players.

The move reflects OneVerse’s attempt to strengthen its footing in the competitive gaming space, where scale and variety increasingly define survival. For Poker Dangal, founded in 2017, this partnership could open up fresh avenues for growth as gaming platforms scramble to retain users in a crowded market.

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“Hum Kissi Se Kam Nahi”: Ather Converts Preference Shares To Equity, Likely To Float IPO In April

Ather Energy has converted over 1.7 lakh preference shares into 24 crore equity shares, setting the stage for a long-anticipated IPO, likely to hit the markets this April. If it goes through, Ather will become the second major EV player after Ola Electric to test public waters, with a public issue size pegged at INR 3,100 Cr in fresh shares and an OFS of up to 2.2 crore shares.

For India’s EV ecosystem, this marks a crucial moment as key players gear up to face market scrutiny and investor expectations.

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1. DroneAcharya has bagged a ₹46.25 lakh contract under the World Bank-backed drone initiative to help accelerate Nepal’s drone ecosystem. The project will focus on critical sectors like infrastructure, disaster management, and precision agriculture.
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2. Silver jewellery brand GIVA has raised ₹102 Cr through a mix of equity and debt to fuel its offline expansion. The move comes as rival BlueStone readies for a ₹1,000+ Cr IPO, intensifying competition in the space.
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3. Women’s wellness brand FemiSafe has secured ₹3 Cr in seed funding led by Tom M Joseph of Jain University, with participation from several other investors. The fresh capital is expected to support its growth in the hygiene and personal care space.
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