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Zupee Exits Gaming Business to Pivot Toward India-First Artificial Intelligence Ventures
M
Moneycontrol•16-10-2026, 13:40
Zupee Exits Gaming Business to Pivot Toward India-First Artificial Intelligence Ventures
- •Gurugram-based company Zupee is shutting down its remaining free-to-play games as part of a strategic shift away from the gaming sector.
- •The firm plans to focus on developing artificial intelligence products tailored to India's unique needs, leveraging its eight years of national-scale experience.
- •Founded in 2018 by Dilsher Singh Malhi and Siddhant Saurabh, Zupee previously specialized in board games and amassed over 200 million users.
- •The transition follows India's ban on real-money gaming platforms and subsequent pivots that resulted in multiple rounds of job cuts.
Key Questions Answered
Zupee is shifting its focus from gaming to AI businesses with an India-first approach and is shutting down its remaining free-to-play games as part of a transition that began in August 2025.
Founded in 2018, Zupee initially focused on board games such as Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, and Carrom, accumulating over 200 million users primarily from smaller cities and towns in India.
Zupee was founded by Dilsher Singh Malhi and Siddhant Saurabh, and its backers include WestCap Group, Tomales Bay Capital, Nepean Capital, AJ Capital, Z47, and Orios Venture Partners.
