Glass Jar Interactive Raises Rs. 2.3 Crore in Seed Funding from UP Angel Network (UPAN)

New Delhi January 2026 : Glass Jar Interactive (GJI), a DPIIT-recognised video game and entertainment studio, has secured Rs. 2.3 crore in seed funding from the UP Angel Network (UPAN) to accelerate the development of its original, IP-driven video games targeted at global PC and console audiences. The funding marks a significant milestone for the young studio and highlights the growing confidence of investors in India’s emerging game development ecosystem.

The investment underscores a broader trend where video game studios are increasingly viewed as key technology enablers within the entertainment ecosystem, alongside sectors such as visual effects (VFX), augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), and digital production. As over-the-top (OTT) platforms continue to reshape home entertainment consumption patterns, video games are rapidly evolving from standalone products into multi-dimensional intellectual properties. These IPs have the potential to expand into films, web series, comics, and merchandise, creating long-term value across multiple formats and platforms.

Commenting on the investment, Vinayak Nath, Managing Director of UP Angel Network, said the home entertainment landscape is undergoing a structural shift. “With the rapid growth of OTT platforms, home entertainment has changed fundamentally, and video games are becoming a core pillar of this ecosystem. Games today are not limited to a single medium; they can extend into films, series, comics, and merchandise, enabling long-term, multi-format IP creation,” he noted. Nath added that such scalable IP-led models make gaming startups increasingly attractive from an investor’s perspective.

UP Angel Network has also partnered with BSIS (Bharat Startup and Innovation Society), India’s largest startup ecosystem industry association, to support investments and knowledge-building initiatives for startups and investors. This funding aligns with BSIS’ USD 100 million pledged corpus dedicated to supporting startups across sectors, with UPAN participating as a strategic partner. The collaboration aims to strengthen early-stage ventures by combining capital support with ecosystem-building efforts.

Glass Jar Interactive has recently drawn attention for receiving government-backed grant support and joining the CREATE Incubation Centre at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Lucknow. The startup is officially recognised under the Startup India initiative by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). While the exact financial details of the government grant were not disclosed, the recognition and institutional backing provide a strong foundation for the studio’s long-term growth.

CREATE (Confederation for Research, Entrepreneurship & Technology Enablement) serves as the incubation and entrepreneurship arm of IIIT Lucknow and is recognised by the Government of Uttar Pradesh under its StartInUP framework. The centre offers startups access to structured mentorship, academic and technical resources, and linkages to state and national startup programmes. Through workshops, seminars, and industry interactions, CREATE aims to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship among early-stage companies.

Sharing his perspective, Raunaq Kavalu, Co-founder and Director of Glass Jar Interactive, said that building globally competitive games from India requires patience, creative freedom, and strong institutional support. “Being part of CREATE at IIIT Lucknow gives us the space to experiment, learn, and focus on building original IP without losing sight of global quality standards and long-term impact. The Rs. 2.3 crore seed funding from UP Angel Network significantly strengthens our ability to scale our vision and invest in long-term IP creation,” he said.

Glass Jar Interactive’s debut original IP, “Ghatika,” is a narrative-driven action-adventure game currently under production. Set in a rich fantasy world, the game explores the downfall of an empire, with players leading a group of survivors while uncovering the hidden history and secrets of their civilisation. The studio aims to blend immersive storytelling with gameplay-centric design to appeal to international audiences while retaining cultural depth.

Glass Jar Interactive operates as a video game and entertainment studio focused on creating original, IP-driven games for PC and console platforms. Its mission is to develop globally competitive yet culturally grounded interactive experiences from India. The latest funding comes at a time when the Government of India is actively promoting the domestic gaming and media ecosystem. India’s media and entertainment sector is projected to cross $100 billion by 2030, with gaming expected to emerge as one of the fastest-growing and most influential segments driving this expansion.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)