Indian Start-Ups Face Funding Squeeze but Gaming Expected to be Winner in Post-COVID-19 World, Experts Say

A lack of live sports during the coronavirus pandemic ha✨s made big winners of online gaming apps amidst a general move towards virtual connectedness, argues a .

And while a funding crunch is hitting the Indian start-up ecosystem, are bullish on the future of online spor♌ts and entertainme꧃nt.

These are two ke𒐪y take-outs from reports and analysis published this month.

Other findings from the sixth part of the "𓄧Crisis Consumption on TV and Smartphones" report from BARC and Nielsen M꧋edia were that the gaming, education, and video conferencing sectors have been the big gainers during the worldwide lockdown.

A lack of any sports has led to higher engagemen༺t and awareness of mobile gaming and apps, with week five and six of the lockdown in India witnessing a 30% increase in gaming, compared to the immediate pre-lockdown period.

There may be a misconception that gaming is a male-dominated world, but figures show 55% of females and 48% of mal꧃es have spent time playing games online in the last month.

The reach of online gaming has increased by 72% under the lockdown, according to BARC and Nie🔥lson Media. The research was taken from 12,000 smartphone users.

While figures from DataLabs by Inc42 show a whopping 45% drop in Indian start-up funding in 2020 Q1 compared to 2019 Q4, panellists on an Inc42's w🦄ebinar are bullish on the long-term prospects o🍎f the Indian market. Expect gaming, fintech, and medical services to be big winners.

The global pandemic is far from over, but the experts put together by Inc42 predict the next two years to be crucial for ♉investors in seizing opportunities.

Joining the webinar was Dirk Van Quaquebeke, managing partner of BEENE🎀XT, Priya Banerjee, principal at B Capital Group, Bennyౠ Chen, managing partner at BAce Capital, and Ed Roman, managing director from Hack VC.

We have recently reported on the impact of coronavirus on Indian gaming. While there have been victims of the crisis, including Silver Heritage Group and Apne11, overall companies have reported growth and taken the chance to expand their offering to take advantage of more mobile gamers.