NODWIN Gaming, a leader in new-age youth entertainment, gaming, and esports (and a material subsidiary of Nazara Technologies Limited (BSE: NAZARA)), has taken a major leap by fully acquiring StarLadder—a trailblazer in global esports event production.
This strategic alliance brings together StarLadder’s legacy of producing high-profile competitions with NODWIN’s vision of reinventing live events for youth audiences worldwide. Despite the acquisition, StarLadder will keep its distinct identity, while its founder, Roman Romantsov, continues to lead the business and becomes a shareholder in NODWIN Gaming.
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A Bold Expansion Strategy
NODWIN Gaming’s global aspirations have been unfolding through several notable acquisitions, including:
- Comic Con India
- Influencer and MCN business Trinity Gaming
- Agency business of AFK Gaming
- Global esports and gaming marketing agency Freaks 4U Gaming
- West Asia and Turkey-focused marketing agency Ninja Global
- Singapore-based live events firm Branded
Adding StarLadder to the lineup further cements NODWIN’s commitment to delivering AAA esports content on a global scale—fusing emerging markets with established ones and amplifying both organizations’ expertise in creating world-class tournaments.
What This Means for the Industry & Community
By tapping into NODWIN’s extensive network, StarLadder can now expand into new markets and form strategic partnerships that benefit both casual fans and core esports enthusiasts. Existing partners gain access to a broader audience, while fans can expect larger-than-life tournaments and bold innovations in the near future.
StarLadder will retain its creative spirit and branding, with founder Roman Romantsov’s continued leadership ensuring authenticity. Meanwhile, the NODWIN ecosystem offers new resources and distribution channels, laying the groundwork for exciting collaborations and cutting-edge content.
Voices Behind the Vision
Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder of NODWIN Gaming, expressed his enthusiasm:
“StarLadder and Roman are the superstars behind the crème de la crème events that esports fans love. We have a vision of elevating and creating incredible community experiences, including more CS:GO tournaments for our amazing fans and partners, and we look forward to taking them to more emerging markets.”
Roman Romantsov, Founder of StarLadder, shared his outlook:
“We live in an era of globalization, where the synergy of resources, expertise, and potential drives success. Together with NODWIN Gaming, StarLadder is committed to creating extraordinary experiences for fans—delivering unforgettable events across multiple games and regions.”
A Bright Future for Esports & Live Entertainment
StarLadder’s track record speaks for itself: from CS:GO and Dota 2 Majors to the PUBG Europe League and StarSeries events. The company’s collaborations with publishers like Valve, Tencent, Krafton, Blizzard, Riot Games, Supercell, and many others set the stage for an even more dynamic esports future.
With an initial deal valued at USD 5.5 million (INR 46.75 crores) and further investments hinging on performance targets, this acquisition signals an era of accelerated growth, broader audiences, and richer fan experiences. The combination of StarLadder’s production prowess and NODWIN Gaming’s innovative approach to live entertainment is set to shape the next chapter of global esports—one that’s bigger, bolder, and more exciting than ever.
