The Government of Odisha and the Singapore-headquartered Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) partner to develop an Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub in Bhubaneswar

Applications Open for National University of Singapore - Asian Institute of Digital Finance (NUS-AIDF) Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech for Odisha-based Students.  BHUBANESWAR, India, Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Government of Odisha, in partnership with the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), announced the upcoming official launch of the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub (I-GFTCH) in Bhubaneswar, scheduled for 21 August 2025.   This marks the first time Odisha is launching a FinTech capability initiative of this scale and global integration. The I-GFTCH launch positions Bhubaneswar at the forefront of India's evolving financial technology ecosystem and aligns with its national development objectives. The Government of Odisha is undertaking a comprehensive, globally integrated four-pronged strategy to establish the state as a leader in Financial Technology innovation and capability.  

• Global Learning: Odisha has partnered with NUS-AIDF and GFTN to launch a future-proof FinTech and InsurTech professional certification programme. This five-month hybrid course - combining online modules, two weeks of on-campus sessions in Bhubaneswar, hands-on projects, and internship placements - is designed to be inclusive and employment-oriented. The initiative aims to empower over 7,000 students from all districts across Odisha with pragmatic expertise spanning technology, regulatory frameworks, and business operations in Financial Technology and InsurTech sectors. The initiative will be supported by the Skill Development Institute and the Union Education Ministry.  
  
  
• Global Mindshare: In the first quarter of 2026, Bhubaneswar will host the Black Swan Summit (BSS) India, a forward-looking global forum accelerating the adoption of frontier technologies. BSS convenes leading technologists, policymakers, investors, and innovators to explore paradigm shifts in tokenisation, AI, quantum computing, semiconductor breakthroughs, and digital infrastructure. Launched this year in Perth, Western Australia, the Summit now anchors the Black Swan Network, GFTN's flagship multi-location, global platform for collective foresight and international collaboration. Beyond the Black Swan Network, GFTN also convenes a suite of high-impact forums, including Point Zero Forum (Zurich), GFTN Forum Japan (Tokyo), the Inclusion FinTech Forum (Rwanda) and the world's largest FinTech gathering - the Singapore FinTech Festival. These forums span Asia, Europe, and Africa offering Odisha's students, professionals and startups a direct gateway into global job pipelines, cross-border venture opportunities, and future-ready digital economy networks. 
  
  
• Global Innovation: Odisha will establish a Centre of Excellence to drive digital transformation and advance pioneering solutions. The Hub will accelerate innovation through a full stack of support for startups - offering incubation, mentorship, masterclasses, bootcamps, market readiness programs, and venture development - drawing on GFTN's international expertise to nurture a robust, future-ready Financial Technology ecosystem. 
  
  
• Financial Technology Global Capability Hub: Odisha is also developing a strategic offshore or nearshore hub for global and national GFTN's partner financial institutions, leveraging the I-GFTCH Global Learning talent pool. These centres will transcend traditional cost-efficient models to serve as dynamic nodes for business growth and agility, enabling collaboration among startups, corporates and innovators via shared workspaces and integrated resources. 

This multi-pronged approach underscores Odisha's commitment to building an internationally competitive, innovation-led and inclusive Financial Technology landscape. The I-GFTCH initiative, under the leadership of the Honourable Chief Minister Mr. Mohan Charan Majhi and supported by the Department of Electronics & IT and the Department of Higher Education, will begin with the roll-out of its first pillar - Global Learning - in September 2025.  The NUS-AIDF Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech (CFI) programme under the Global Learning pillar is supported by the Skill Development Institute, Bhubaneswar as a designated Centre of Excellence with a view toward future national accreditation, in consultation with the Indian Union Ministry of Education. "By combining local potential with world-class institutions like NUS-AIDF, we are investing in the youth of Odisha to thrive in the $1.8 trillion global digital economy," said Shri Dr Mukesh Mahaling, Hon'ble Minister for Electronics & IT, Government of Odisha.  "This partnership places Odisha on the global map of digital skilling," said Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, Hon'ble Minister of Higher Education, Government of Odisha. "We are committed to building a talent pipeline that can power India's innovation economy, and this certification is a powerful step forward." "It's remarkable to see how swiftly the leadership of Odisha has executed the Financial Technology partnership with Singapore - from an MoU signed during the 17 – 18 January 2025 State Visit of His Excellency Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of Singapore - into tangible, forward-looking action," said Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO of GFTN and former Chief FinTech Officer at the Monetary Authority of Singapore.  "Odisha's bold vision to become a global FinTech innovation hub is coming to life through world-class certification programmes and a cutting-edge Capability Hub - unlocking global opportunities for local talent and building a future-ready digital economy," said Mr. Mohanty. About GFTN The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) is a Singapore-headquartered organisation that leverages technology and innovation to create more efficient, resilient, and inclusive financial systems through global collaboration. GFTN hosts a worldwide network of forums (including its flagship event, the Singapore FinTech Festival); advises governments and companies on policies and the development of digital ecosystems and innovation within the financial sector; offers digital infrastructure solutions; and plans to invest in financial technology startups through its upcoming venture fund, with a focus on inclusion and sustainability. GFTN is a not-for-profit organisation established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in 2024. About NUS-AIDF NUS-AIDF is jointly founded by the MAS, Singapore's central bank, and the National Research Foundation (NRF), Singapore. AIDF aspires to be a thought leader, a FinTech knowledge hub, and an experimental site for developing digital financial technologies as well as for nurturing current and future FinTech researchers and practitioners in Asia. AIDF conducts the Master of Science in Digital Financial Technology and the PhD in Digital Financial Technology programmes, aimed at training the next generation of FinTech professionals. National University of Singapore (NUS) is ranked #8 globally and #1 in Asia (QS Rankings 2025).  About the Black Swan Summit The Black Swan Summit is a global, forward-looking forum that accelerates the discovery of frontier technologies, fostering disruption, adoption, and capability development at the crossroads of global innovation hubs. It seeks to build global minds for a disruptive and inclusive future. Launched this year in Perth, Western Australia, the Black Swan Network is GFTN's flagship multi-location global platform for collective foresight and international collaboration. Annex: Details of Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech Certificate from the National University of Singapore- Asian Institute of Digital Finance (NUS-AIDF) - Sponsored by the Government of Odisha in partnership with GFTN. Certificate in FinTech and InsurTech covers topics on: 

• Fundamentals of FinTech and Insurtech
• Al & Blockchain application
• InsurTech innovations
• Real-world case studies

Who Can Apply: 

• Final year undergraduate and postgraduate students seeking to build a career in the financial sector 

Course Format: 

• Virtual selection test - English comprehension
• Hybrid (55% online + 45% in-person) over 5 months
• Live project with industry partners and potential employers
• 2 weeks in person classes in Bhubaneswar*

*Accommodation & food will be provided Course Benefits: 

• Priority job opportunities
  • Access to placement fairs
  • Referrals to banking and insurance companies for internship placements.

• Global Visibility - GFTN Knowledge Circle™
  • Exclusive, free access to hundreds of articles and reports from GFTN
  • Complimentary access to GFTN Forums worldwide**

• Exclusive, free access to hundreds of articles and reports from GFTN
• Complimentary access to GFTN Forums worldwide**

**Terms & conditions apply 

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

The Government of Odisha and the Singapore-headquartered Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) partner to develop an Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub in Bhubaneswar

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Supercent, a fast-rising force in the mobile gaming industry, has made history by becoming the first South Korean company to enter the global Top 10 mobile game publishers by downloads, according to leading app analytics platform Sensor Tower.

In its latest annual rankings, Sensor Tower listed Supercent at No. 7 worldwide, marking the highest placement ever achieved by a South Korean game publisher since the rankings began in 2014. This milestone follows the company's initial entry into the global Top 10 at No. 10 last year — a remarkable three-spot climb in just 12 months, underscoring its rapid global ascent.

Breakout Hits Power Global Growth

Supercent's rise has been propelled by two major hits: "Pizza Ready" and "Snake Clash".

"Pizza Ready" dominated the hybrid casual space in 2025, ranking as the most-downloaded hybrid casual game globally. The title amassed 150 million downloads this year alone, contributing to nearly 40% of its 400 million lifetime installs. Impressively, it also ranked No. 3 among all global app launches since January 2023, and No. 1 among games, according to Sensor Tower.

The game's innovative ad strategy has been a key differentiator. Unlike typical mobile games that show ads within the first minute, "Pizza Ready" delays ad exposure until around three minutes into gameplay, allowing users to immerse themselves before encountering monetization. This user-centric approach has been praised for balancing engagement and revenue effectively.

Meanwhile, "Snake Clash" has emerged as a global hyper-casual phenomenon, surpassing 180 million lifetime downloads and ranking No. 4 in global hyper-casual downloads this year. Half of its downloads came in 2025 alone, highlighting its explosive growth. Departing from the genre's traditional reliance on ad monetization, "Snake Clash" implemented a more refined in-app purchase model with skins and packages — a move that significantly improved monetization and user satisfaction. In fact, 33% of user reviews praised the game's minimal ad experience, contributing to high player retention.

Breaking the Mold: A Milestone for South Korean Gaming

This entry into the Top 10 carries particular significance as it shatters the long-standing perception of South Korea as a "challenging market" for casual games. Despite possessing world-class development infrastructure and creative talent, the South Korean gaming industry has historically been heavily skewed toward domestic-focused MMORPGs, yielding few global successes in the casual genre for over a decade.

Industry observers view Supercent's rise as a watershed moment. By leveraging South Korea's robust infrastructure to break through global barriers, the company has effectively proved that the nation's development and creative capabilities can dominate the mass-market casual sector just as effectively as they have the hardcore genre.

AI-Powered Publishing: A Competitive Edge

Supercent is also gaining attention for its unique integration of AI technology and content strategy into its development and publishing pipeline — a rare achievement in South Korea. The company's AI-driven publishing system, data-informed decision-making, and content-first mindset have created a sustainable growth engine that sets it apart in a crowded market.

"Amid a flood of new mobile titles launching daily, Supercent continues to generate consistent, large-scale download momentum — not just fleeting viral hits," said Junsik Kong, CEO of Supercent. "This achievement is proof of our long-term growth potential and resilience in a fast-changing market."

Kong added, "By combining AI-powered systems, data analytics, and competitive content development, we're building a virtuous cycle of sustainable growth. Moving forward, we'll continue maximizing the synergy between AI and creativity to deliver successive global hits."

About Supercent

Founded in 2021, Supercent has surpassed 1.3 billion total downloads globally and boasts over 20 titles with more than 10 million downloads each. In August, the company expanded its headquarters to the Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, Seoul, and has been accelerating hiring and organizational growth in line with its global ambitions.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Supercent Breaks into the Global Top 10 Mobile Game Publishers at 7th - A First for South Korea