Bengaluru GAFX 2025 Concludes with a Resounding Success, Strengthening India’s AVGC-XR Ecosystem

• Karnataka is set to host an Esports Summit, and a Game Developers Conference this year.  These events will foster innovation, nurture talent, and drive the growth of esports and game development in the region.
• Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle Comics announced the prestigious ˜GAFX Uncle Pai Promising New Creator Award.`
• The Skyesports Souvenir 2025 National Esports Championship at Bengaluru GAFX 2025 showcased India`s finest gaming talent, with four elite teams competing for a ₹5 lakh prize pool. The Home Team Gods Reign was crowned champion, while Aakash Bose aka PH1NNN earned the MVP title for his stellar performance.
• Under Product launch this year`s GAFX witnessed: Digital Detox Center by All India Gaming Federation launch at GAFX 2025.
• Cine Star Rana Daggubati unveiled Suppandi`s animated debut at GAFX 2025; set to stream on PowerKids TV.
• A key partnership between Green Gold Animation (India) and TG Entertainment (UK) was announced to expand the Brilliant World of Tom Gates franchise in India and South Asia, focusing on licensing, merchandising, and animation production.
• The AnimationXpress GEM Awards 2025 celebrated excellence in gaming, esports, and the metaverse, recognizing top developers, studios, and industry personalities.
• This year`s Investor Connect Program saw robust participation, with 29 investors from 22 companies engaging with 34 startups from across the AVGC ecosystem.
• An MoU was signed between Uzbekistan and ABAI to enhance international collaboration in the AVGC-XR sector. As part of this agreement, a delegation from Karnataka will participate in an event in Uzbekistan, while a larger delegation from Uzbekistan is set to visit Karnataka next year, strengthening global industry connections and knowledge exchange.
• The ABAI AVGC Centre of Excellence (CoE) and Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) signed an MoU to drive skilling, incubation, innovation, and policy development in the AVGC sector.
• The B2B Forum at Bengaluru GAFX 2025 facilitated 395 LOIs business meetings, featuring 15 top buyers, 39 participating companies, and 40 IPs showcased, key investments and collaborations in the AVGC-XR industry.

 

Mumbai / Bengaluru : The three-day Bengaluru GAFX 2025, organized by the Department of E, IT & Bt, Government of Karnataka, and ABAI at the Lalit Ashok, concluded today, marking a resounding success. Themed ‘Future of Immersion: EXPERIENCE. EXPLORE. DISRUPT event set new benchmarks in the industry with groundbreaking partnerships, insightful discussions, and a thriving platform for startups and investors. The event reaffirmed Karnataka`s position as the world`s leading hub for AVGC-XR and a key driver of India`s global leadership in immersive media and entertainment.

Addressing the audience at the valedictory function, Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Karnataka said, Karnataka is not just the IT, biotech, and skill capital of India”we are on our way to becoming the global creative capital. The AVGC-XR sector is no longer just about entertainment; it is a powerful economic force driving innovation, employment, and global influence. Our focus is on skill development, reskilling, and cross-skilling through initiatives like Nipuna Karnataka, ensuring our talent competes on a global stage. We are investing in incubators, Centers of Excellence, and original IP creation to position Karnataka as a leader in animation, gaming, VFX, and XR. The success of global brands like Disney and Marvel proves the potential of intellectual property, and it`s time for India to create its own. This year, Karnataka will host an Esports Summit and a Game Developers Conference, marking a major step in strengthening our gaming ecosystem. The Esports Summit will hone the skills of gaming enthusiasts, putting Karnataka on the global competitive gaming map. The Game Developers Conference will bring together innovators, creators, and industry leaders to push the boundaries of game design and original IP development. With these initiatives, Karnataka is laying the foundation for a future where we don`t just provide services but create world-class content and technology. With the right policies, incentives, and vision, we will transform India into a global hub for creative technology. The future belongs to those who innovate, and Karnataka is ready to set new benchmarks for the world.

Delivering the special address at the valedictory function, Mr. Biren Ghose, Chairman, Bengaluru GAFX & President, ABAI said, ABAI is proud of how every constituency in AVGC – XR has come together to create a spectacular Bengaluru GAFX 2025. Our vision to explore the Future of Immersion has been realised. There are tangible outcomes that will be an accelerator for India`s creative technology industries. The support of the Department of ITBT, Government of Karnataka, has been instrumental in continuing to catapult this industry to global excellence. GAFX 2025 has succeeded in providing rich exploration, creating never-before experiences and highlighting the disruption that will enable studios, startups, and talent to make a lasting impact on the global stage.

The Bengaluru GAFX 2025 has been a global standout, with 5000+ footfalls per day and 15+ state association participants with 50+ exhibitors. The three-day event witnessed 10+ countries in 100+ sessions with insights from 200 speakers. The event facilitated 395 LOI business interactions between 15 prominent buyers and 40 sellers with IPs.  Additionally, the event also facilitated the signing of 10+ Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). Digital Detox Center by the All-India Gaming Federation was also launched at GAFX 2025. The event also saw participants from 150 colleges, 500 nationwide students for different competitions, 20+ national & international, and 10 muse artists for Sketch Alley. A total prize money of ₹10 lakh, along with goodies, was awarded to participants.

B2B Forum emerged as a premier networking and business matchmaking platform, driving meaningful collaborations within the AVGC-XR industry. The forum created a structured space for content creators, studios, and AVGC startups to pitch their projects to global buyers and investors. The event saw significant interest from investors in select IPs, paving the way for further discussions and future collaborations. Strengthening Bengaluru GAFX`s role as India`s leading business hub for AVGC, the B2B Forum successfully fostered new partnerships, investment opportunities, and industry growth.

The event witnessed groundbreaking collaborations, industry-shaping discussions, and dynamic showcases that set the stage for the future of animation, gaming, VFX, and comics in India. Industry veterans and thought leaders, and esteemed Indian accolades, actively participated, emphasizing the transformative potential of technological advancements. Bengaluru GAFX stands out as a unique event in the AVGC industry, facilitating the convergence of Indian and international synergy. Both international and Indian studios, along with industry veterans, presented some of the largest and most critically acclaimed titles during the event.