Bengaluru-based mobile gaming platform STAN raises $8.5 mn from Bandai Namco, Square Enix, Google Fund

Social gaming platform STAN has raised $8.5 million in a new funding round with participation from leading Japanese gaming giants, including Bandai Namco Entertainment, Square Enix and Reazon Holdings, as well as Google’s AI Futures Fund, and Aptos Labs. The company says the newly raised funds would help STAN tailor its community platform for mobile-first, emerging markets.

The Bengaluru-based company says the funding round also saw participation from existing investors, including General Catalyst, GFR Fund, T-Accelerate Capital, and Pix Capital.

In India and across mobile-first markets, millions turn to platforms like WhatsApp and Discord to connect, but these are not specifically built for gaming communities. That's where STAN fills the gap. From voice-led clubs and live game integrations to monetisation tools and creator-first discovery, STAN lets users build communities.

When asked how STAN will maintain its identity as a homegrown platform built for Bharat despite backing from global players Bandai Namco, Square Enix, and Google, Parth Chadha, Co-founder & CEO, said the partnerships amplify rather than dilute the company’s purpose. "Our investors believe in STAN because we understand India like no one else does, and that's the core strength. They’re here to support our vision, not to override it," Chadha told Fortune India.

He claims that from product decisions like vernacular voice chat and low-bandwidth optimisation, to creator-first monetisation, STAN has been built from ground-up for Gen Z in India’s tier 2 and 3 towns. "Our growth—5x in user base and 3x in revenue over the past 24 months has come from staying true to that....we’re not becoming a global product shaped by global investors. We’re building a Bharat-first product that the world now wants a piece of," he argued.

The company says it'll use the funding to expand in India and other mobile-dominant markets, invest in AI-led personalisations and creator tooling, and launch new integrations for publishers and partners looking to build inside gaming-led communities.

Unlike global platforms such as Discord and Twitch, which are originally designed for PC and console-first users, STAN is a mobile-optimised platform for gaming. It enables creators to build and monetise communities through shoutouts, subscriptions, and brand-led activations, and offers publishers native distribution powered by creator engagement.

David Benjamin, Co-Founder - AI Futures Fund at Google, says STAN's vision for empowering creators and enriching fan communities with innovative and responsible AI features deeply resonates with the AI Futures Fund.

India: World's biggest mobile gaming market

India continues to hold its position as the world’s largest mobile gaming market by downloads, with an impressive 8.45 billion installs in FY 2024-25, according to the latest report, 'India: Mobile Game Market Insights 2025', by market intelligence platform Sensor Tower. This momentum—driven by affordable data, widespread smartphone access, and a young, tech-savvy audience (77% aged 18-34)—underscores India’s importance for growth.

However, while downloads remain strong, IAP revenue stands at just over $400 million, still modest compared to mature markets, but steadily growing year over year. Analysts argue that with the rapid adoption of digital payments like UPI and a rising base of high-value iOS users, India’s monetisation potential is showing clear signs of acceleration.