In an exclusive interview with Insidesport, Chandrahas Panigrahi, Co-Founder, Board Member, and CEO of Lets Game Now, shares his insights into the rapid growth of the gaming and esports industry in India. With over 20 years of leadership experience spanning multiple sectors, Chandrahas discusses his journey in transforming Lets Game Now into a leading platform for gamers. Check out the full interview below.
Can you share with us the inspiration behind founding Lets Game Now? How did the idea come about, and what were the initial challenges you faced?
Lets Game Now (LGN) was born in 2014-15 out of a deep passion for gaming and esports. We wanted to create a space where gamers could not only play and socialize but also pursue careers in gaming and esports. One of our co-founders, Santanu Basu, is an esports athlete who has represented India multiple times, so our roots are firmly in the competitive gaming world.
In the early days, we faced several challenges: gaming wasn’t recognized as a viable career, social pressures were high, and there were limited platforms or sponsors in the space. We worked hard to build a community, creating a platform that brought gamers together while convincing brands to sponsor tournaments and prizes, tapping into the growing gaming audience.
Hosting over 1,250 tournaments with impressive prize pools is a significant achievement. Could you provide insights into the logistics of organizing these tournaments? What has been your biggest success story in this area?
Over the span of five years, we hosted over 1,250 tournaments. Initially, we were a small team based out of Kolkata, driven by our passion to support the community. As we grew, we expanded operations to cities like Bangalore and Delhi, allowing us to scale up our events.
Our biggest success story lies in the fact that our tournaments have paved the way for Indian esports athletes to represent the country internationally. Through tournaments like AFGC and others we’ve hosted, we’ve seen Indian gamers compete on global stages, which is immensely rewarding.
Your platform operates on a SaaS model and integrates tools like Discord and YouTube. How does this enhance the user experience for both gamers and spectators?
Our platform has simplified the tournament experience, especially for large-scale events. Registration, bracketing, and management are all automated, making it seamless for players. Discord, meanwhile, has become the heart of our community – a place where gamers socialize, get direct support, and receive guidance on events and esports careers.
Lets Game Now was one of the first Indian esports companies to secure sponsorships with Hotstar and brands like AMD. What did these milestones mean for the company?
Securing sponsorships from brands like Hotstar and AMD was a game-changer for us. These partnerships lent credibility to our brand and validated the potential of esports in India. It also motivated the gaming community, as more serious sponsors entered the space. Working with such prestigious partners opened doors for further collaborations and inspired the next generation of gamers to take esports more seriously.
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What role do you see Lets Game Now playing in positioning India as a leader in the global esports scene?
With international sporting events like the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games incorporating esports, we see Lets Game Now as a catalyst for training and grooming Indian gamers to be medal contenders. It’s our dream to see gamers from our ecosystem stand on international podiums, representing India and showcasing their skills to the world.
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