Krafton Expands Investment in India with $250 Million Commitment
By Editor • September 4, 2026 • 1 min read
Krafton, the renowned South Korean gaming giant behind popular titles like PUBG and Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), has unveiled plans to inject an additional $250 million into the Indian market. This new investment, announced on Friday, is set to span the next three to four years and signifies Krafton's strategic pivot beyond gaming into artificial intelligence, robotics, and deep technology.
This latest financial commitment raises Krafton's total investment in India to over $500 million, following more than $250 million already invested since 2021. Moreover, it comes in addition to a $670 million growth fund focused on India that Krafton announced alongside South Korean conglomerate Naver and investor Mirae Asset in December 2025.
Significant Market Presence and Challenges
India has emerged as a crucial market for Krafton, offering access to a vast population of over a billion internet users and more than 700 million smartphone owners. After initially launching its operations with the gaming franchise BGMI, which has seen over 260 million downloads, Krafton has diversified its focus by investing in various Indian startups.
However, the journey has not been without hurdles. PUBG Mobile faced a ban in India in 2020 amid rising tensions with China, prompting Krafton to release BGMI in 2021, ensuring compliance with local regulations by shifting publishers and server management. Despite facing another ban in 2022, BGMI was allowed to return on a trial basis, leading Krafton to continue expanding around this franchise.
Future Developments and Local Engagements
Krafton’s latest financial pledge follows a meeting between company chairman Byung Gyu Chang and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where they explored collaborations in gaming and technology sectors. To bolster its presence, Krafton has also been acquiring local entities, such as Pune-based Nautilus Mobile, and has launched initiatives like the KIGI Academy to nurture talent in game development.
Source: techcrunch.com
