WAVES: Nurturing Young Creators & Accelerating India's M&E Startups for Global Impact

In the face of global trade tariffs and stock market volatility, India shines as a resilient economy.

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Leveraging its demographic advantages and technological capabilities, India can turn challenges into opportunities, positioning itself as a global ‘Creative Powerhouse.’ With a rich storytelling tradition, India's Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector aims to ‘Connect Creators’ worldwide through the ‘Create in India, Create for the World’ vision.

India is home to a burgeoning population of young creators across various fields like film, music, art, and technology. Notably, Namit Malhotra's DNEG, the visual effects and animation studio that demonstrated groundbreaking VFX in the Oscar-winning success of Dune 2. This marked India's 7th Oscar victory highlighting India's growing influence in the global entertainment industry. The evolution from traditional filmmaking to digital production showcases the country's capability in creating world-class content. WAVES Xcelerator (WAVEX), part of the Government of India's World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, aims to connect young creators with industry leaders and foster startup growth. Scheduled for May 2025 in Mumbai, WAVES seeks to enhance India's M&E startup ecosystem by providing mentorship, funding, and global opportunities. The sector is projected to grow from 22,422 billion in 2023 to 23,067 billion by 2027, encompassing innovative fields like gaming, Al, and the metaverse.

Despite challenges in gaining recognition, WAVES offers a platform for startups such as Brahman Game Studios, Keybound, and Vayon Cloud to showcase their work to global investors. The initiative also includes women-led startups like Lapwing Studios and Vygr Media, fostering inclusivity within the M&E ecosystem.