2023
Gurugram (India)
Seed
Ziffi Chess is an innovative mobile gaming platform revolutionizing the chess experience with its unique, fast-paced format. The company operates in the online and mobile gaming industry, targeting chess enthusiasts and casual gamers across India. This approach makes chess accessible and exciting for users who want to play during short breaks, offering both free and real-money game modes and its core offering is a “6-move” chess format, often described as the “T20 of chess,” where games can be completed in just two minutes. The platform has quickly gained traction, boasting over 500,000 users within its first year and facilitating more than 50,000 games daily.
6-Move Quick Chess: Unique, time-efficient format for rapid gameplay.
Real-Money Gaming: Players can compete for cash prizes, with instant withdrawals via UPI and other secure payment methods.
Tournaments & Battle Modes: Regular competitions and 1-on-1 battles with cash rewards.
Community & Social Features: Challenge friends, climb leaderboards, and join a growing community of chess lovers.
Ziffi Chess employs a multi-channel monetization strategy typical of leading real-money and mobile gaming platforms:
Real-Money Game Commissions: Ziffi Chess charges a commission or service fee on real-money games and tournaments. Players pay entry fees and compete for cash prizes, with the platform retaining a percentage as revenue.
In-App Purchases: Users can purchase in-game currency or credits to participate in premium modes, tournaments, or unlock additional features.
Advertising (Free App): The free version of Ziffi Chess, available on the Play Store, may include ads, generating additional revenue from non-paying users.
B2C: Primary focus on individual users—casual gamers, chess enthusiasts, and competitive players.
Community Engagement: By fostering a vibrant user community and offering social features, Ziffi Chess increases user retention and lifetime value.
Market Expansion: Ziffi Chess is scaling rapidly, aiming to cross 1 million users in India by capitalizing on the country’s growing interest in chess and online gaming.
Product Innovation: The unique 6-move format differentiates Ziffi from traditional chess apps, appealing to time-constrained users and those seeking quick entertainment.
Community Building: Social features, friend challenges, and leaderboards foster a sense of belonging and competition, driving organic growth.
Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations, such as with Gridlines (by OnGrid) for enhanced KYC and compliance, ensure robust user verification and regulatory adherence.
Funding & Scaling: Backed by ₹8 crore in venture funding, Ziffi Chess is investing in marketing, technology, and user acquisition to strengthen its market position.
Ziffi Chess is rapidly emerging as a leader in India’s mobile chess gaming landscape, blending innovation, speed, and real-money rewards. Its unique 6-move format, robust compliance framework, and strong community engagement set it apart from traditional chess platforms and generic gaming apps. With over half a million users, significant venture backing, and a scalable business model, Ziffi Chess is well-positioned for continued growth and market leadership—making it an attractive opportunity for investors, researchers, and industry professionals interested in the future of skill-based digital gaming in India.
$901 K
2
$721.0 K, Seed
as of April 17, 2024
$6.0 Million
as of April 10, 2024
6.66
as of April 10, 2024
India Quotient
and 3 more9
N/A
N/A
Date | Round Name | Amount | Valuation | Revenue | Revenue Multiple | Investors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
April 17, 2024 | Seed | $721.0 K | $6.0 Million | - | - | India Quotient, DeVC |
January 25, 2024 | Seed | $180.0 K | $5.6 Million | - | - | Mechartes, OnGrid |