Hike Success Story: 5 Insightful Lessons for Every Entrepreneur

INTRODUCTION

In the fast-evolving world of mobile gaming and blockchain technology, Hike has emerged as a pioneering force in India’s blockchain-powered mobile gaming market. Founded in 2012 by Kavin Bharti Mittal, Hike initially began as a messaging platform but quickly pivoted to revolutionise mobile gaming by integrating blockchain and NFT technologies to create skill-based competitive games.

The Hike success story is a testament to how innovation and adaptability can redefine an industry. Over the past decade, India’s mobile gaming sector has seen explosive growth, with the market expected to cross $5 billion in revenue by 2024. 

Hike has successfully positioned itself at the intersection of mobile gaming, social networking, and blockchain, capturing a leading spot among 155 active competitors with a valuation of approximately $1.4 billion (as of 2024). With over $261 million raised from investors like Bharti SoftBank, Tiger Global, and Tencent, Hike is powering a new era of gaming where users can play, compete, and earn in the blockchain-enabled Rush Gaming Universe.

Hike’s success is driven by its focus on combining engaging mobile gaming experiences with decentralized technology, creating a unique social and crypto ecosystem that encourages user participation and ownership. Its growing user base and annual revenue of $46.8 million (FY 2023-24) demonstrate strong consumer adoption and investor confidence in this hybrid gaming model.

The Hike success story highlights the power of innovation, user empowerment, and the integration of blockchain technology in transforming traditional gaming landscapes and creating new opportunities for gamers in India and beyond.

As Kavin Bharti Mittal noted in an interview,
“Building a company is not just a business venture, it’s a character-building journey — and with Hike, we are creating something out of nothing, empowering users to own a piece of the future of gaming.”

Origin Story

The genesis of Hike traces back to the vision of its founder, Kavin Bharti Mittal, who recognised early on the growing demand for a uniquely Indian social messaging platform. Coming from a family deeply rooted in telecom and technology, Kavin was passionate about creating a product that would resonate with India’s diverse and rapidly digitising population.

In 2012, India’s internet penetration was rapidly increasing, yet the messaging space was dominated by global giants like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Kavin saw an opportunity to build a platform that went beyond just messaging — integrating features like stickers, social feeds, and eventually gaming, tailored specifically for Indian users’ preferences and mobile usage patterns.

As Kavin puts it,“We wanted to create something truly Indian, something that spoke the language of our people — in every sense.”

Hike was launched in Delhi with a mission to provide a comprehensive social platform that combined messaging, gaming, and crypto elements — an ecosystem where users could connect, play, and even earn through blockchain technology. However, this vision came with significant challenges, including intense competition, the need for innovative technology adoption, and the complexities of integrating blockchain in a consumer-friendly way.

“The early days were tough. We knew we weren’t just building a chat app — we were building an experience that had to be seamless and delightful for millions.”

The early years were marked by continuous iteration and innovation. Kavin and his team focused on building a scalable, mobile-first product that could offer unique value, from localised content to blockchain-based gaming experiences. They understood that to succeed, Hike needed to not just compete with global players but redefine the experience for Indian users.

“Our goal was always to build a platform where people could not just communicate but also play, compete, and feel empowered by new technologies like blockchain.”

This meant relentless R&D, understanding the nuances of mobile gaming and crypto adoption, and creating a social platform that could evolve with emerging technologies. Today, Hike stands as a testament to that vision, blending mobile gaming, social connectivity, and blockchain in a pioneering manner.

Business Space and Early Challenges

Entering the mobile app and digital communication space in 2012, Hike ventured into a domain already dominated by global tech giants like WhatsApp, Facebook, and WeChat. But instead of competing head-on with these platforms on their turf, Hike carved out a niche, creating an India-first platform that combined messaging, social engagement, and eventually mobile gaming and blockchain-based rewards.

At the time, India’s digital infrastructure was still developing. Smartphone penetration was growing, but data costs were high, and network reliability remained a challenge in semi-urban and rural regions. Hike’s ambition to build a rich, feature-heavy mobile experience often ran into constraints posed by these external factors.

Compounding the problem was the lack of monetisation models in the early messaging space. While global platforms were supported by massive user bases and ad networks, Hike had to find sustainable ways to scale in a market not yet ready to pay for digital services.

As Kavin Bharti Mittal recalled,
“We weren’t just building a messaging app — we were building a new category. But in India back then, even getting users to stick around was a challenge.”

Another major challenge was user retention. While Hike rapidly grew to over 100 million users at its peak, maintaining engagement was tough. Many users still relied on SMS or switched to simpler platforms. As trends shifted and privacy concerns grew, Hike had to reinvent its product vision, pivoting towards more immersive experiences like blockchain gaming and skill-based competitions.

Additionally, investor scepticism was high. With multiple pivots — from messaging to Hike Sticker Chat, then to the Rush Gaming Universe — it became essential for the company to redefine its value proposition at each stage while maintaining trust.

“Every pivot was a calculated risk,” Kavin shared in a talk.
“But if you want to build something truly futuristic, you have to be willing to challenge every assumption — even your own.”

Despite these hurdles, Hike continued to innovate boldly. By shifting its core offering from a traditional chat app to a blockchain-based mobile gaming platform, Hike tapped into the booming intersection of gaming, fintech, and Web3, a segment few Indian startups were actively exploring at scale.

Today, Hike’s ability to survive and thrive in such a volatile and competitive landscape stands as a testament to its resilience, adaptability, and long-term vision.

Growth Strategies

Hike’s evolution from a messaging platform into a blockchain-based mobile gaming universe is a story of strategic pivots, deep technological bets, and relentless focus on building for India’s mobile-first generation. Its growth strategy has consistently centred around anticipating user behaviour trends, experimenting with new digital experiences, and owning the full stack of product and technology.

The company’s early growth was fueled by its differentiated messaging experience tailored for Indian users. Hike introduced features like offline messaging, hidden chats, localised stickers, and news and cricket scores within the app — all of which struck a chord with young, data-conscious users in India. These hyper-local features helped Hike reach over 100 million users in just four years, positioning it as a formidable competitor to WhatsApp in the Indian market.

However, recognising the limitations of the messaging space and the growing shift toward immersive, gamified digital ecosystems, Hike made a bold pivot. In 2019, it phased out its flagship messaging app and began doubling down on Web3 and mobile gaming, launching the Rush Gaming Universe (RGU) — a blockchain-based skill gaming platform that allows users to compete, win, and earn in a social environment.

As founder Kavin Bharti Mittal explained,
“We’ve always believed in building for the future. Web3 is a foundational shift — and Rush is our way of helping users participate in this new digital economy.”

Central to this new growth phase was owning core technology. Rather than relying on third-party infrastructure, Hike built in-house capabilities around blockchain architecture, digital wallets, and NFT-based asset systems, giving them flexibility, performance, and scalability. This deep tech investment positioned Hike as one of the few Indian startups to be truly product-led in the Web3 gaming space.

Another key growth lever was the focus on skill-based games — short, competitive games designed for mobile-first consumption. With low entry barriers and real-time rewards, this format resonated with Gen Z users and created strong retention loops. By integrating digital identity, game avatars, and wallet-based rewards, Hike began to transition from being just a game provider to a gaming ecosystem.

Strategic funding rounds — including backing from marquee investors like Bharti SoftBank, Tencent, and Tiger Global — provided the capital to scale these initiatives. These funds were channelled into talent acquisition, international expansion, and product innovation, keeping Hike ahead of the curve in a highly competitive and fast-evolving digital economy.

Furthermore, Hike’s success has also come from community-driven growth. With over 155 competitors in the mobile gaming space, Hike focused on cultivating a loyal user base through leaderboards, reward incentives, and creator tools, enabling users not just to play games, but to build and monetize their presence in the ecosystem.

Today, with over $261 million in funding and a valuation of $1.4 billion, Hike stands as one of the most ambitious and innovative startups in India’s consumer tech landscape, proving that with the right bets and a future-forward mindset, reinvention can be the strongest form of growth.

Marketing Strategies

Hike’s marketing has been tech-savvy, community-focused, and culturally relevant, evolving from a messaging app to a blockchain-based mobile gaming platform. Early growth came through India-specific features like vernacular content, localised stickers, and cricket scores, relying heavily on word of mouth, college ambassador programs, and influencer seeding rather than big ad spends.

As Hike pivoted to the Rush Gaming Universe, it embraced a digital-first approach targeting gamers and Web3 users on platforms like Discord, Twitter, and Instagram. The brand’s messaging centred on “play to earn, play to belong,” creating an engaging ecosystem where users are both players and stakeholders.

Kavin Bharti Mittal said, “We’re not selling a game. We’re creating a universe — one where users are players, creators, and stakeholders.”

Hike built strong user engagement through community co-creation, leaderboards, referral rewards, and live challenges. Instead of celebrity endorsements, it invested in micro-communities and experiential marketing like esports tournaments and exclusive game drops, fostering loyalty and excitement.

This blend of community-building, cultural storytelling, and innovative tech helped Hike market not just a platform but a movement empowering India’s next-gen gamers.

5 Insightful Lessons for Every Entrepreneur

1. Leverage Technology to Create New Experiences

Hike didn’t just build another messaging app; it combined social networking with gaming and blockchain to create a unique, engaging platform. By integrating blockchain-based gaming and NFTs, Hike tapped into emerging tech trends early, offering users a fresh, skill-based experience beyond traditional chat apps. This shows that innovation thrives when technology is used to create new, meaningful user experiences.

2. Build a Strong Community Around Your Product

From the start, Hike focused on deep user engagement with localised content, vernacular stickers, and culturally relevant features. As they evolved, Hike’s marketing centred on building a passionate community of gamers and crypto enthusiasts through interactive challenges, tournaments, and social engagement. This highlights the importance of nurturing loyal communities that become active advocates and contributors.

3. Pivot Boldly When Market Dynamics Change

Hike’s journey from a messaging platform to a blockchain gaming ecosystem reflects its ability to recognise changing market trends and pivot decisively. When messaging apps became commoditised, Hike reinvented itself by embracing Web3 and play-to-earn models, positioning itself in a fast-growing niche. Entrepreneurs should remain flexible and willing to reinvent their business to stay relevant.

4. Focus on User-Centric Product Design

Hike’s products emphasise ease of use, skill-based competition, and rewarding gameplay, making complex blockchain technology accessible to everyday users. The platform’s intuitive design and seamless integration of crypto rewards helped lower barriers to entry and foster user adoption. This reinforces that products must be designed around real user needs and behaviours for mass adoption.

5. Forge Strategic Partnerships to Amplify Reach

Backing from investors like Bharti SoftBank, Tiger Global, and Tencent provided Hike with the capital, strategic guidance, and credibility needed to scale. Additionally, acquisitions like CREO Tech expanded its technological capabilities. This underlines the value of aligning with investors and partners who share your vision and can accelerate growth without compromising core values.

Conclusion

Hike’s journey from a pioneering messaging app to a cutting-edge blockchain gaming platform exemplifies bold innovation and adaptability in India’s fast-evolving tech landscape. In an industry crowded with social apps and gaming platforms, Hike dared to rethink engagement by blending social interaction, skill-based gaming, and blockchain technology into one seamless experience.

What truly sets Hike apart is its holistic vision — not just building a product, but creating an entire ecosystem where users can connect, compete, and earn in a decentralized gaming universe. By embracing emerging technologies like NFTs and Web3 early on, Hike has positioned itself at the forefront of the next wave of digital entertainment.

Despite intense competition and market shifts, Hike’s resilience and strategic pivots highlight the importance of staying agile and user-focused. Backed by strong investors and a growing community, Hike continues to push boundaries, proving that with innovation, community, and vision, startups can transform traditional spaces and lead new industry frontiers.

This hike success story is a testament to the power of technology-driven disruption and a reminder that success comes from constantly evolving to meet the future head-on.