Biography of Nitish Mittersain: Founder and CEO of Nazara Technologies -Entrepreneur
Biography of Nitish Mittersain:
Nitish Mittersain is the Founder and CEO of Nazara
Technologies, which is distinguished as India's only publicly listed gaming
company. With over 20 years of experience in the mobile entertainment industry,
he has successfully led a dynamic team of more than 500 employees across over
100 countries. Under his leadership, Nazara Technologies delivers innovative
and engaging content to over 100 million monthly active users. Mittersain's
expertise spans new business development, customer relationship management, and
strategic planning, which he uses to drive growth and create value for
stakeholders and partners.
Educational Background
Mittersain completed his Bachelor's degree in Business from
Sydenham College of Commerce & Economics between 1994 and 1999. His
foundational education at Bombay Scottish from 1989 to 1994 provided him with a
strong academic background that contributed to his future success in the
business world.
Early Beginnings in Gaming
In the early 1980s, seven-year-old Nitish Mittersain was
already immersed in coding games, surrounded by computers and dial-up modems in
suburban Mumbai. At just 17, driven by his entrepreneurial spirit, he launched
Nazara with games tailored for the Indian market, like Housie, Bingo, and
cricket. By the time he formally registered the company two years later, Nazara
had begun its journey, and today, it stands as India’s only publicly listed
gaming company, with Mittersain serving as its founder-CEO and joint managing
director.
Early Career and Leadership at Nazara Technologies
Nitish Mittersain has been a pivotal figure in the gaming
industry for over two decades. Since January 2003, he has served as the
Managing Director of Nazara Technologies, India’s largest mobile entertainment
platform. Under his leadership, Nazara has grown to include a vast network of
gaming ventures, such as Nodwin Gaming, Nextwave Multimedia, SportsKeeda,
Halaplay, and Qunami. In December 2022, Nitish returned as the CEO of Nazara
Technologies, driven by a commitment to make a positive impact through diligent
work and strategic vision.
Expanding Horizons and Philanthropy
Beyond his role at Nazara, Nitish is also involved in
various philanthropic and leadership roles. Since January 2020, he has been a
Trustee at the Dr B K Goyal Heart Foundation, contributing to heart health
initiatives. Additionally, he has been a Board Member of YPO South Asia since
June 2020, where he engages with other young leaders to foster growth and
innovation. Nitish also co-founded The/Nudge Institute in January 2022,
focusing on social impact and development.
Past Contributions and Current Roles
Earlier in his career, Nitish served as a Board Director at
the Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF) from March 2013 to March 2015, where he
contributed to the advancement of the mobile industry. His extensive experience
and diverse roles highlight his commitment to both the gaming sector and
broader social causes.
Biography of Nitish Mittersain: Founder and CEO of Nazara Technologies-Entrepreneur/Angel Investor/Success story of Nitish Mittersain/IT Nazara Tech
Overcoming Challenges
Mittersain’s life has been marked by significant challenges.
Growing up as the son of a textile businessman, he encountered Mumbai’s tough
underworld due to his father’s business dealings. The early 2000s brought
another major hurdle: the dot-com bubble burst, leaving him with a hefty debt
of Rs 3 crore. Despite these setbacks, he managed to repay the debt and emerged
stronger, enriched by the experience. His passion for computers also led him to
a unique mentorship with Bollywood legend Shammi Kapoor, who shared his
enthusiasm for technology and was a frequent source of inspiration for
Mittersain.
Health and Family
Mittersain’s early focus on his burgeoning business meant he
neglected his health. However, the birth of his first child brought a turning
point. Realizing the importance of staying healthy for the sake of his growing
family, he began to prioritize his fitness. Over the past decade, he has made
significant changes to his diet and exercise routine, driven by his family
history of heart disease and diabetes. This commitment to health is now evident
as he balances his professional and personal life, often with his younger child
visiting his office for quick chats.
Social and Professional Engagement
In addition to his role at Nazara, Mittersain is actively
involved in the social sector and various professional organizations. He serves
as a trustee at the Dr. B. K. Goyal Heart Foundation and the Dhanvantari Awards
Foundation, which highlights his commitment to social causes. He is also a
founding angel investor at The/Nudge Institute, an organization focused on
poverty alleviation and social change. Moreover, Mittersain is a board member
of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) South Asia, where he engages with
other leaders to share insights and collaborate on various initiatives.
Personal Interests
On a personal note, Mittersain maintains a balanced
lifestyle through his hobbies. He plays the saxophone and practices Krav Maga,
which helps him stay fit and focused. His diverse interests and activities
complement his professional achievements and contribute to his overall
well-being.
Impact and Influence
Mittersain’s role in these deals underscores his influence
in the investment and entrepreneurial space. His efforts in facilitating
successful investments across a wide range of industries demonstrate his
ability to identify and support promising ventures. His contributions not only
reflect his business acumen but also his commitment to driving growth and innovation
in various sectors.
Conclusion:
Nitish Mittersain is the Founder, Joint Managing Director,
Board Member, and Chief Executive Officer at Nazara, a leading company in the
gaming and entertainment industry. With a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the
University of Mumbai, Mittersain has been instrumental in the company’s growth
since its inception in 1999. His dedication over the past 20 years has
significantly contributed to Nazara's development and success. In addition to
his role at Nazara, Mittersain is actively involved in social causes as a
trustee of the Dr. B. K. Goyal Heart Foundation and the India Business Group
(Chamber of Commerce).
Investment and Deal-Making Experience
Mittersain has played a key role in various high-profile
deals, reflecting his expertise in investment and strategic partnerships. Some
notable deals he has been involved in include:
Knocksense (Feb 28, 2024): Participated in a later-stage
venture capital deal for a publishing company based in Lucknow, India.
Kofluence (Jan 17, 2024): Engaged in a media and information
services deal in Bangalore, India.
Snax Games (Aug 16, 2023): Completed an investment in
entertainment software in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Mykare Health (Jun 15, 2023): Contributed to a deal in other
healthcare services located in Ernakulam, India.
Nextwave Multimedia (Jun 7, 2023): Took part in a deal in
entertainment software in Chennai, India.
Recent Investments and Contributions
Mittersain’s recent investments highlight his diverse
portfolio and commitment to supporting innovative companies. These investments
span various industries, including:
We360.ai (May 31, 2023): Completed a deal in
business/productivity software in Bhopal, India.
Raaho (Mar 13, 2023): Engaged in a logistics deal in
Gurgaon, India.
BlockFenders (Feb 7, 2023): Participated in a systems and
information management deal in Palo Alto, CA.
Onmeta (Sep 13, 2022): Supported a seed round investment in
other financial services in Bengaluru, India.
Healthledger Diagnostics (Sep 5, 2022): Involved in a seed
round investment in diagnostic services.
A timeline with dates and brief explanations for Nitish
Mittersain's professional role and leadership:
1980s: Begins coding games at age 7 in suburban Mumbai.
1994 - 1999: Completes a Bachelor’s degree in Business from
Sydenham College of Commerce & Economics.
1999: Launches Nazara Technologies with games tailored for
the Indian market.
January 2003: Becomes Managing Director of Nazara
Technologies.
2005: Formalizes the registration of Nazara Technologies as
a company.
December 2022: Returns as CEO of Nazara Technologies,
driving strategic growth.
January 2020: Becomes a Trustee at the Dr B K Goyal Heart
Foundation.
June 2020: Joins as a Board Member of YPO South Asia.
January 2022: Co-founds The/Nudge Institute, focusing on
social impact.
March 2013 - March 2015: Serves as a Board Director at the
Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF).
February 7, 2023: Participates in a systems and information
management deal with BlockFenders in Palo Alto, CA.
March 13, 2023: Engages in a logistics deal with Raaho in
Gurgaon, India.
May 31, 2023: Completes a deal with We360.ai,
business/productivity software in Bhopal, India.
June 7, 2023: Takes part in a deal with Nextwave Multimedia,
entertainment software in Chennai, India.
June 15, 2023: Contributes to a healthcare services deal
with Mykare Health in Ernakulam, India.
August 16, 2023: Completes an investment in Snax Games,
entertainment software in Tel Aviv, Israel.
January 17, 2024: Engages in a media and information
services deal with Kofluence in Bangalore, India.
February 28, 2024: Participates in a later-stage venture
capital deal with Knocksense in Lucknow, India.
