Reliance-owned RISE Worldwide launches eSports JV with Denmark’s BLAST

Sports management company RISE Worldwide, owned by Reliance Industries, has formed a joint-venture company called Jio BLAST eSports with Denmark-based BLAST ApS to tap into India’s growing eSports market.

As part of the agreement, RISE has allotted a 50% stake of Jio BLAST to BLAST eSports worth Rs 5 crore, Reliance said in an exchange filing.

The JV is part of a strategic partnership with BLAST to operate and create gaming events and bring BLAST’s own global events to India for fans, players and brand. BLAST works with leading game publishers including Epic Games, Valve, KRAFTON and more.

The partnership will host events on the JioGames platform to further grow the eSports industry in India. The JV will offer services to publishers and sponsors, end-to-end tournament management, targeted marketing, and production and broadcasting.