Inside the Indian Gaming App Backed by Google
STAN is an Indian social gaming platform that blends gaming, community, and creator interaction. But it’s not just catching users’ attention — it’s attracting some of the biggest names in tech and gaming globally.
In July, STAN raised $8.5 million in equity funding. Major investors include Google (via its AI Futures Fund), Bandai Namco Entertainment, Square Enix, and Reazon Holdings. Aptos Labs, King River Capital, and existing backers General Catalyst and GFR Fund also participated.
What Makes STAN Different?
At its core, STAN offers something platforms like Discord don’t: rewards.
Users play games like Battlegrounds Mobile India, Free Fire Max, Minecraft, and Call of Duty. By winning games or completing daily tasks, they earn in-app currency called Gems.
These Gems can be redeemed for real-world rewards — like vouchers on Amazon, Flipkart, and PhonePe. Users also earn currency through referrals, a spin-the-wheel feature, and daily logins.
This simple rewards-based system turns gaming into a form of income, especially appealing in a market like India.
Clubs, Creators, and a Social Currency
Creators on STAN can set up Clubs — chat rooms linked to specific games. Within these Clubs, they host gaming experiences or livestreams. Joining these events often requires a small payment using the in-app currency.
STAN earns by taking a cut from these micro-transactions, creating a monetization system for both creators and the platform itself.
This business model adds value for gamers, creators, and even game publishers — all interacting inside one app.
25 Million+ Downloads and Growing
STAN reports over 25 million downloads across the Play Store and App Store, with 5.5 million monthly active users. The app’s rapid growth has caught the attention of global studios.
In the last two quarters alone, nearly 100 gaming companies — including Krafton and Roblox — have joined STAN to connect with Indian gamers. The startup adds over 20 publishers every month.
These brands pay STAN to promote their games, run campaigns, and connect with creators, adding another revenue stream for the company.
Google Sees AI Potential
Google’s investment came through its AI Futures Fund, aimed at startups using its AI tools. STAN already uses AI for 70–80% of content moderation, and plans to go further.
With Google’s help, STAN will roll out AI-powered tools for creators. These include avatar creation, meme generation, quick replies, and better chat filtering.
The focus on AI could help scale the platform faster while keeping it safe and engaging for users.
Why Investors Are Betting Big on STAN?
STAN is not trying to be the next big game. Instead, it’s building a community where gaming meets social interaction and monetization. This fusion — gaming + rewards + creator economy — is what makes STAN stand out.
In a country with over 400 million gamers, the potential is huge. Investors see STAN as a platform that could dominate social gaming in India, and maybe even beyond.
