STAN, a rapidly growing Indian social gaming platform, has secured $8.5 million in equity funding in a round that includes Google, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Square Enix, Reazon Holdings, and other key players like Aptos Labs, King River Capital, General Catalyst, and GFR Fund.
Google’s participation comes through its AI Futures Fund, launched in May 2025 to support startups building innovative solutions with Google’s AI tools.
STAN’s Unique Model: Gaming Meets Social Currency
Unlike traditional platforms like Discord, STAN offers a gamified social experience where users can earn in-app currency—called Gems—through gameplay, referrals, daily rewards, and interactive features like spin-to-win wheels.
These Gems can be redeemed for real-world rewards via Amazon, Flipkart, and PhonePe, making STAN more than just a hangout—it’s a place where gaming brings tangible value.
Clubs: Game-Centric Chat Spaces for Creators
The platform allows creators to host game-specific chat rooms called Clubs, where they can provide unique “gaming experiences.” Users must pay with social currency to participate, and STAN takes a commission from these transactions.
This setup blends creator economy dynamics with gaming culture, offering creators monetization opportunities while maintaining a highly engaged community.
Explosive Growth and Expanding Partnerships
With over 25 million downloads and 5.5 million monthly active users, STAN is showing impressive momentum. CEO Parth Chadha attributes this to the app’s shift toward user-generated content, enabling anyone—not just invited creators—to stream live content, significantly increasing engagement.
In the last two quarters alone, nearly 100 gaming companies—including Krafton, Garena, and Roblox—have partnered with STAN. The platform is currently onboarding more than 20 new publishers every month, turning B2B engagement into a promising revenue stream.
AI at the Core of STAN’s Vision
A major focus of STAN’s roadmap is AI-powered infrastructure. Currently, 70–80% of moderation on the platform is managed by AI, with the rest handled by human moderators. With Google’s support, STAN aims to improve this even further and roll out AI tools that support:
- Avatar and meme creation
- Smart replies for chats
- AI filters for moderation and content control
These tools will give creators plug-and-play features to scale their communities while ensuring safety and quality.
Expansion Plans and Global Reach
Though currently geo-restricted to India, 5–6% of STAN’s user engagement comes from international users who log in via Indian phone numbers. The company plans to expand to neighboring countries in the Indian subcontinent, followed by Southeast Asia and Latin America in the next phase.
Profitability Goals and Team Growth
STAN was briefly profitable, but is now prioritizing growth. The company expects to achieve profitability again by 2027. With a lean team of around 40 employees—less than 30 in engineering—the startup is focused on scaling efficiently.
With this funding round, STAN’s total equity raised now stands at $15 million, marking a significant milestone as it aims to redefine how gaming, community, and monetization come together in emerging markets.
Sources ( Techcrunch )
