WinZO, IEIC, and Business Finland Unite to Boost India-Finland Gaming Exports

In a landmark collaboration set to redefine the global interactive entertainment landscape, Business Finland in India, WinZO, India’s largest interactive gaming platform, and the Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council (IEIC), a leading industry think-tank, have announced a strategic partnership to boost gaming exports between India and Finland. This alliance brings together Finland’s celebrated gaming heritage and India’s fast-growing gaming market in a visionary effort to build bridges between two vibrant ecosystems.

Learning from Finland’s Gaming Triumph

Finland is a beacon of success in the mobile-first gaming world, generating USD 3.9 billion in annual revenue, with a staggering 98% derived from exports. Iconic global sensations such as Angry Birds by Rovio and Clash of Clans by Supercell have defined Finland as an unparalleled hub for casual and innovative gaming. Finland’s thriving industry is supported by progressive government policies, world-class game design education, and strategic investments from bodies like Business Finland.

Now, this small country of 5.6 million has touched over a billion gaming lives globally- a monumental feat and a blueprint of excellence drawing admiration worldwide.

India’s Gaming Revolution

On the other side is India, home to over 600 million gamers and accounting for nearly 20% of mobile game app downloads worldwide. India’s diverse player base, burgeoning community of gaming content creators, and sharp rise in indigenous game development mark it as one of the fastest-growing gaming markets globally.

India’s gaming narrative is deeply rooted in culture, eloquence, and local relevance, making it fertile ground for building IPs with global appeal. This partnership seeks to catalyze India’s evolution from a consumption-heavy market to a powerhouse exporter of gaming innovation.

Voices of Leadership

Kimmo Lähdevirta, Ambassador of Finland in India, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “Finland consistently ranks among Europe’s top gaming hubs by turnover, and our industry is world-renowned. In gaming, Finland and India make a perfect duo- India’s scale paired with Finnish craft. We’re excited to see Finnish gaming IPs expand into India through trusted platforms like WinZO.”

From the Indian side, Rohit Kumar Singh, IAS, former Secretary, Government of India, and Chairman of IEIC, shared, “This collaboration offers a unique opportunity to forge a robust bridge between India and Finland. Finland’s experience provides invaluable lessons, helping India build an innovation corridor empowering startups and developers in both countries. Interactive entertainment today is key not only for entertainment but also education, healthcare, and storytelling.”

Adding to the optimism, Paavan Nanda, Co-Founder of WinZO, said, “India has all the ingredients to become a global leader in interactive entertainment: scale, creativity, and cultural richness. WinZO believes in India’s narrative of mobile-first immersive IP creation. Inspired by Finland’s export success, this partnership will accelerate India’s journey towards producing inclusive, globally appealing content.”

What the Partnership Means

This alliance is more than an investment; it’s an invitation to foster dynamic knowledge exchange, talent sharing, and cross-country collaborations in game design, development, and marketing. It aims to open doors for Indian and Finnish creators, encouraging co-creation and expanding gaming’s reach beyond entertainment to education and social good.

Structured dialogue between governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders will promote supportive policies, ensuring long-term competitiveness and innovation. By combining Finland’s legacy of gaming creativity and India’s vast, diverse audience, the partnership aims to set global standards in interactive entertainment.

WinZO and IEIC: Drivers of India’s Gaming Future

WinZO, launched in 2018, dominates as India’s largest interactive entertainment platform with over 250 million users spanning India, the US, and Brazil. Offering 100+ social and esports games alongside microdramas and audio stories in 15 languages via ZO Play, WinZO champions the globalization of Made in India content.

Backed by marquee investors like Griffin Gaming Partners and Makers Fund, WinZO has raised USD 100 million, leveraging its reach to empower over 75,000 creators from Tier II- V towns, bridging urban-rural divides and opening new horizons for Indian gaming.

The Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council (IEIC) acts as the largest industry body promoting esports and gaming in India. With over 80 members including studios, investors, and legal experts, IEIC drives mentoring programs such as Bharat Tech Triumph to position India as a global export hub.

Business Finland: The Finnish Government’s Strategic Enabler

Business Finland, Finland’s official agency for trade and innovation, has played a pivotal role in fostering Finland’s globally recognized gaming cluster. It supports talent development, funding, and international promotion. The agency’s successful model has nurtured world-famous IPs and remains a guiding force in scaling the Finland-India gaming collaboration.

This India-Finland gaming alliance symbolizes a future rich with innovation, cross-cultural collaboration, and shared success. Combining Finland’s pioneering heritage with India’s scale and creativity, this strategic partnership stands poised to redefine interactive entertainment maps- embarking on a journey where games bring communities, economies, and ideas together on a global stage.