Parth Chadha on STAN’s Meteoric Rise and India’s Gaming Future

When CEO and Founder Parth Chadha watched STAN's grow from zero in to 25 million users in just four years, he knew the company had tapped into much more than a passing gaming trend.

The Bangalore-based social gaming platform has built its community around creators and fans rather than traditional gameplay alone. On the platform, users can join live rooms, interact with gaming influencers, and engage with virtual experiences designed to extend the culture around popular titles like Free Fire and Battlegrounds Mobile India.

"Users find real value in STAN as a club. It's a community where creators, influencers, and fans come together," Chadha explained. "We share revenue with creators who host live rooms, which encourages vibrant content and sustained engagement. It's a combination of creator tools, seamless user experiences, and organic virality that has driven recent growth."

Regulatory Clarity Changes the Game

India's new Online Gaming Bill has provided much-needed clarity for the industry, particularly around the distinction between real money games and the social and esports categories. The legislation has helped dispel confusion that previously clouded the sector.

"We have always kept real money gaming separate from esports and social gaming, and STAN operates strictly within the social and esports space," Chadha said. "The government's clear stance has been a positive for the industry, dispelling confusion and supporting legitimate gaming growth. We have never engaged in real money gaming, and this clarity fosters investor confidence."

This regulatory certainty not only stabilizes the sector but also opens the door for new investor interest and growth opportunities. With esports gaining governmental recognition and a clearer framework for marketing and content, companies like STAN find themselves expanding at exactly the right moment.

Fortunate Timing Brings Major Investment

The timing of this regulatory clarity has been particularly fortunate for STAN. The company's model of user-centric features, creator monetization, and strong community building recently drew backing from some of the world's biggest players in gaming. Google, Bandai Namco Entertainment, and Square Enix together led an $8.5 million funding round in the company.

Chadha explained that the raise will be channeled directly into accelerating product development and creator support. "We are a product-first company. The funding will be used to accelerate feature development and improve support for creators," he said.

The expansion strategy is guided by STAN's understanding of how gamers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities interact with mobile platforms, where affordable data and wide smartphone access have made gaming a dominant cultural habit.

"Gamers love connecting with friends and mobile is their dominant platform. Our product is built around these core behaviors, with significant investment in AI to personalize and enhance experiences," Chadha noted.

Ambitious Growth Plans

STAN's expansion roadmap is ambitious. "Our first goal is to deepen our presence in India, then grow into nearby mobile-first markets like Bangladesh and Nepal. After reaching 50 million users domestically, we plan to explore Southeast Asia and Latin America. We are actively researching these markets to identify the best product-market fit," Chadha explained.

The company intends to invest heavily in technologies that can support both creators and fans. "AI is integral to STAN's social platform. We use it extensively for content moderation and helping creators distribute engaging content efficiently. For example, creators in popular games like Free Fire and PUBG can build AI-powered avatars and interactive virtual rooms to enhance fan engagement. We even have simple AI-driven games built with large language models that have gone viral."

For Chadha, the vision for STAN goes well beyond India. With esports gaining traction nationally and international publishers taking keen interest, he sees an industry on the brink of explosive growth.