Krafton India invests in Indore-based hyperlocal community app Shuru

South Korea’s Krafton, through its Indian unit, announced that it has invested an undisclosed amount in Shuru, a location-based social networking platform headquartered in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The startup aims to digitally empower communities by fostering local connections.

In addition to Krafton, existing investors Omidyar Network India and Eximius Ventures also participated in the funding round.

Shuru provides general trending updates, local shop information, buy-sell listings, and classifieds, empowering local communities. The startup, which was founded by Mayank Bhangadia and Harsh Chhabra, claims it serves more than 2 million monthly active users in India. 

Mayank, an IIT Delhi alumnus, previously co-founded Roposo, a short-video platform that reached 100 million users before being acquired by InMobi’s Glance. Harsh, who led product development at Roposo, later founded GoParento, a parenting community app.

Krafton said the investment will help it engage more effectively with regional audiences, drive grassroots-level community connect, and broaden its reach for its games across local markets in one of the world's fastest growing economy. On the other hand, Shuru will be able to leverage the South Korean company's expertise to extend high-engagement games and features to its fast-growing user base.

"The hyperlocal digital ecosystem in India holds immense promise, and we see it as a vital driver of connectivity and community engagement. Shuru is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation in India," said Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of Krafton India.

Sean further said Shuru's user-centric approach aligns with Krafton India's "vision of providing tailored experiences for local users across the country."

"With 650,000+ locations on board and recently crossing 1 crore installations, we're creating a platform that will redefine the way Indians live, work, and interact. As we continue to grow, we're unlocking unprecedented opportunities for civic engagement, local updates, and business development - and we're just getting started. The partnership with KRAFTON India opens unparalleled opportunities for Shuru to innovate and scale. Their expertise in engaging diverse user bases, particularly in gaming and entertainment, complements our vision of building India’s leading hyperlocal platform," said Bhangadia, who is also the CEO of the company.

"By working closely with Shuru, we aim to enhance user experiences, amplify regional connect, and contribute meaningfully to the evolving Indian hyperlocal digital landscape," added Nihansh Bhat, Lead - Corporate Development, Krafton India.

Since 2021, Krafton has invested over $200 million in Indian startups across interactive entertainment, gaming, esports, and technology. The company also supports the local gaming ecosystem through its Krafton India Gaming Incubator (KIGI).