Pune-based software integration specialist KPIT Technologies is to double its shareholding in Zurich-based N-Dream, a Cloud-based game aggregation platform company, whose clientele includes the BMW Group
25 Jul 2024 | 3883 Views | By Ajit Dalvi
The Pune-based KPIT Technologies, which is one of the leading software integration partners for the automotive and mobility industry, has doubled its equity stake in N-Dream AG, a Cloud-based game aggregation platform startup based in Zurich, Switzerland from 13% to 26 percent. The acquisition of the additional 13% equity is ...
This is an Autocar Pro Plus article. Subscribe to continue reading.
The Pune-based KPIT Technologies, which is one of the leading software integration partners for the automotive and mobility industry, has doubled its equity stake in N-Dream AG, a Cloud-based game aggregation platform startup based in Zurich, Switzerland from 13% to 26 percent. The acquisition of the additional 13% equity is to be completed by August 20, 2024. KPIT retains the option to further increase its shareholding in N-Dream in the future.
This announcement came on July 24, when KPIT announced its Q1 FY2025 results. KPIT, which is benefiting from the global industry shift to software defined vehicles (SDVs), has registered 24% revenue growth (Rs 1,364 crore) and a 52% jump in net profit (Rs 204 crore) in the April-June 2024 period and marks the company’s 16th consecutive growth quarter. KPIT, which has engineering centres in Europe, the USA, Japan, China, Thailand, and India, works with leaders in the automotive and mobility sectors.
KPIT had first invested in N-Dream AG in December last year, acquiring a 13% take for an estimated 3 million euros (Rs 26 crore). The additional 13% stake is for a similar 3 million euros. This strategic investment in N-Dream is part of KPIT’s roadmap to enable automotive OEMs to enhance the driver and passenger experience in future cars. KPIT is offering complementary software integration and validation services to N-Dream’s automotive clients which include the BMW Group.
BMW Group plugs into N-Dream
In end-2022, the BMW Group chose N-Dream, the company behind the AirConsole brand, as a partner to bring casual gaming into the car through the BMW Startup Garage programme. The two companies partnered essentially to introduce and make the AirConsole casual gaming platform for in-car entertainment available for millions of BMW Group vehicles from CY2023 onwards. AirConsole games are played using smartphones as game-controllers while playing games on a big screen, eliminating the need for additional hardware.
N-Dream, which is an early mover into the in-car gaming space offering a proven Cloud-based game aggregation platform including data to automotive OEMs worldwide, recorded a turnover of CHF 3.38 million for the January-March 2023 period, CHF 1.99 million in CY2022, CHF 0.865 million in CY2021. The Swiss startup’s goal is to bring the $152 billion mobile gaming industry to all living room TV and in-car entertainment systems by using Cloud OTA (over-the-air) technology.
N-Dream’s Cloud-based in-car game aggregation platform offers an array of casual game genres, including edutainment, racing and sports. One of its leading products is AirConsole which caters to the automotive industry. N Dream has a current staffing strength of 14 employees.
KPIT and N-Dream are collaborating towards offering value-added data products for automotive OEMs, thereby enabling them to create additional monetizable experiences and features.
Lead picture: BMW