Qila Games, a hybrid-casual gaming startup, has successfully raised $1 million in pre-seed funding. The funding round was led by Chimera VC, with notable participation from Visceral Capital, Atrium Angels, Ventatana Ventures, 91 Ventures, Untitled Ventures, and several other angel investors.
The investment aims to support Qila Game’s mission of establishing hybrid-casual gaming in India while developing new games that balance accessibility with deeper engagement. Founded in 2024 by Dhananjai Hari and Neeraj Mishra, the company seeks to bridge the gap between casual and midcore gaming by offering innovative experiences tailored to Indian players.
With the newly acquired capital, Qila Games plans to create new intellectual properties (IPs), expand its game portfolio, and enhance its technology and design capabilities.
Dhananjai Hari, Co-Founder of Qila Games, commented on the funding, stating, “India and other emerging markets are at the cusp of a major shift in mobile gaming, and hybrid-casual is set to be the next big category. We are proud to see our investors entrusting us with their vision to disrupt the hybrid-casual gaming space. This funding enables us to focus on building engaging, high-quality games that resonate with these audiences.”
Krish Anurag GP from Chimera Venture Capital highlighted the potential of the Indian gaming industry, noting that Qila Games has found an effective balance between bite-sized entertainment and meta progression, creating immersive experiences for users. He expressed anticipation for future releases from Qila Games.
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Cecilia Oldne, Founding Partner at Visceral Capital, praised the founders for their extensive experience in creating high-quality games, acknowledging the challenges in building a successful gaming studio. She expressed excitement about partnering with the Qila team, citing their skill and determination.
As Qila Games moves forward, the startup aims to make a powerful impact on the Indian gaming landscape with its focus on hybrid-casual gaming experiences.