LegaXy partners IIM Lucknow, Bhuvneshwar Kumar to launch sports, gaming accelerator
Located at the incubation center of IIM Lucknow, the program will support early-stage startups working in sports technology, gaming, e-sports and new age media. It will combine academic research with business consulting, fundraising support and industry partnerships.
LegaXy will contribute expertise in athlete management, sports branding and content creation, while IIM Lucknow EIC will offer entrepreneurial support and investor access.
A select group of ten startups will form the first batch. Applications will begin in the first quarter of 2026, following a national call for proposals and evaluation by a joint panel.
“The game is changing both on and off the field. Initiatives like this accelerator will spur innovation, help startups transform sports, gaming and fan experiences while positioning India as a global leader in sports entertainment,” said Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Mohammed Sirajuddin, founding advisor of LegaXy, said sports and gaming have now become a $300 billion-plus industry. “For India to claim 5% of this market, we must invest in structured accelerators that support financing, mentoring and scaling the next wave of World-class Sports Tech/eSports/Gaming Startups from India to the world.” Yamini Bhushan Pandey, managing director and CEO of IIM Lucknow EIC, said the collaboration aims to strengthen startups at the intersection of sports, technology and new-age media and help them scale globally. “At IIML-EIC, we are committed to nurturing future-ready initiatives that drive sustainable impact and contribute to India’s growing innovation narrative.” Amitesh Shah, founder and CEO of LegaXy, said the partnership brings together excellence in academia, entrepreneurship and sports to create an ecosystem that accelerates sports technology and gaming innovation.
India’s gaming market has grown at more than 20% annually in the last five years and is expected to reach approximately Rs 66,000 billion by 2028. Esports alone is expected to grow by 25% annually as digital adoption deepens.
