Highlights
- LegaXy, IIM Lucknow, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to launch India’s first sportstech and gaming accelerator.
- Program to offer mentorship and funding for early-stage startups.
- The first 10-startup cohort will begin in early 2026.
LegaXy, an Indian sports management & entertainment brand, has partnered with the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow Enterprise Incubation Centre (EIC) and Indian cricketer Bhuvneshwar Kumar to launch India’s first sportstech, esports, and gaming accelerator.
The initiative will support startups developing technologies in sports, gaming, and digital media, as these industries continue rapid growth across India’s digital economy.
The accelerator will be based at IIM Lucknow’s EIC, combining academic research, business mentorship, and investor access. LegaXy brings experience in athlete management and sports marketing, while IIM Lucknow EIC provides incubation and entrepreneurial expertise, aiming to turn India’s emerging sportstech ventures into scalable businesses through structured support and research-driven guidance.
Accelerator to Drive Innovation in Sports and Gaming
The program will identify early-stage startups working on performance analytics, fan engagement, and gaming innovation. Selected founders will receive mentorship, seed funding opportunities, and access to investor networks. The venture will also serve as a testing ground for innovation in sports and media technologies.
A cohort of 10 startups will be chosen through a national application process in early 2026, with evaluation by a joint panel from LegaXy and IIM Lucknow EIC. Bhuvneshwar Kumar said the initiative “will fuel innovation, helping startups transform sports, gaming, and fan experiences while positioning India as a global leader in sportainment.”
Meanwhile, Mohammed Sirajuddin, founding advisor at LegaXy, noted that India must invest in structured accelerators to claim its share of the global $300B+ sports and gaming market.
India’s gaming industry is projected to reach ₹66,000 crore (around $7.4B) by 2028, with esports growing over 25% annually. As sports and digital media converge, the accelerator is positioned to make India a global hub for sportstech and gaming innovation, uniting academia, entrepreneurship, and sports, to shape the future of digital entertainment.
