{Startup watch: GauravGo Games} A Battle Royale game launched by a group of BTech students from a tier-2 college in Odisha

India’s gaming and esports scene has exploded in recent years, transforming from a niche hobby into a vibrant, multi-million-dollar industry. The country’s young population and increasing internet penetration have fueled this rapid growth, bringing together a diverse community of gamers and enthusiasts.

Major tournaments, streaming platforms, and professional leagues are now commonplace, attracting both local and international attention. This burgeoning industry is not only creating new opportunities for gamers but also for content creators, developers, and businesses. The future of gaming and esports in India looks incredibly promising as it continues to innovate and expand its horizons, so that the ecosystem is teeming with gaming startups.

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One such budding startup is GauravGo Games, a Battle Royale game “SENA” similar to PUBG and FreeFire, launched by a group of BTech students from a tier-2 college in Odisha. The small but passionate and ambitious team of 12 students and 6 recent graduates is working with a budget of just a few lakhs, supported by Startup India, Startup Odisha, and Startup Technology Parks of India (STPI).

The Tech Panda spoke to Dipesh Gaurav, CEO and Founder of GauravGo Games, who says that the gaming industry is vibrant but faces significant gaps, which they’re working to fill.

“On one hand, players, particularly youth and children, spend hours immersed in games, yet most platforms fail to deliver any real-world value beyond entertainment. Many players abandon gaming in their 20s, as it ceases to offer meaningful rewards. On the other side, brands struggle to connect authentically with this highly engaged audience.

“With SENA Mayaverse, we aim to bridge these gaps by offering players the opportunity to earn real money without any investment and providing brands with innovative tools to engage directly with their target audience in an immersive and impactful way,” he explains.

What They Do

SENA Mayaverse is a gamified metaverse that merges entertainment, earning, and brand interaction. Players can explore virtual worlds modeled after real-life locations, participate in engaging games, socialize, and shop from their favorite brands. They earn real money through in-game activities and challenges—without spending anything.

For brands, the platform delivers dynamic in-game advertising, 3D virtual shops, and interactive product placements, creating impactful and measurable connections with their audience. This creates a win-win ecosystem, where revenue from brand engagement is shared with gamers, ensuring mutual benefits.

Inspiration

Gaurav relates that the inspiration to start the company stems from a deep personal connection to gaming and a vision to transform lives through technology.

“Growing up in Odisha, where opportunities in gaming were minimal, I realized the untapped potential of this industry. Gaming could be so much more than just entertainment—it could be a means to empower people, helping them earn, learn, and grow,” he says.

“Gaming could be so much more than just entertainment—it could be a means to empower people, helping them earn, learn, and grow.”

This vision led to the creation of SENA Mayaverse, where players are rewarded for their time, and brands connect meaningfully.

“Starting in 2022 with a team of 14 students, we’ve grown into a full-time team of 10 professionals supported by 25+ interns, with backing from Startup India, Startup Odisha, and STPI IMAGE,” he adds.

The GauravGo USP

The startup’s edge lies in its unique ecosystem that benefits both gamers and brands.

“Unlike platforms that require users to pay to earn or access premium features, we reverse the model. Players earn for free, and brands fund the ecosystem through immersive advertising,” says Gaurav.

“Unlike platforms that require users to pay to earn or access premium features, we reverse the model.”

Additionally, he adds that the integration of real-life-like locations, social gameplay, and gamified e-commerce makes SENA Mayaverse unparalleled.

“Competitors like MPL and Dream11 focus on transactional gaming, while we provide an inclusive, rewarding platform with long-term engagement and real-world impact,” he adds.

Growth Story

GauravGo’s games have surpassed 1.4 million downloads, and it has built a thriving community of over 30,000 gamers across India. It has partnered with more than 150 brands and garnered the support of 200+ influencers at no cost.

“We’ve been recognized by the PMO, Startup India, and ISB Hyderabad, and our work has been showcased at major events like IGDC. Media outlets like Doordarshan and Times of India have highlighted our journey. These accomplishments validate our mission and inspire us to keep pushing boundaries,” Gaurav relates with pride.

Future Plans

The vision, says Gaurav, is to establish SENA Mayaverse as the leading platform for gaming, social interaction, and e-commerce.

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“In the short term, we aim to grow our player base to 1 million and onboard over 500 brands. Long-term, we plan to expand globally, offering localized metaverses tailored to different regions while incorporating features like NFT-based rewards and enhanced VR integration,” he says.

“We are also deeply committed to nurturing the next generation by training students in game development, addressing the gap in education and opportunities. Our ultimate goal is to make gaming a platform for living, earning, and connecting—creating experiences that make a real difference in people’s lives,” he concludes.