As the esports industry continues to grow, so does the interest in owning a piece of the pie. Celebrities and venture capitalists are investing millions of pounds, companies are merging together to consolidate, and acquisitions are becoming pretty common, too.
To make things easier, Esports Insider has brought together the major investments, mergers, and acquisitions of November 2019.
Hitmarker raises 250% of crowdfunding campaign target
UK-based esports job platform Hitmarker raised 250% of its equity crowdfunding target in just six days.
The target of the campaign was GBP80,000 for 4 percent equity, though the company set a cap of GBP200,000 for 9.43 percent equity and successfully met it.
Read the full article here.
Gen.G receives investment from Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator
Multinational organisation Gen.G esports received investment from Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator.
Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator is an early-stage venture capital fund based in New York, USA. Financial details were not disclosed.
Read the full article here.
Team Vitality raises EUR14M and opens Paris facility
French organisation Team Vitality received a further EUR14 million (GBP12 million) investment from esports venture fund Rewired.GG.
Including the EUR20 million Rewired.GG invested back in November 2018, Team Vitality has now received EUR34 million (GBP29.3 million) in the last year from the fund. The capital will be used to grow the organisation and pursue an expansion into both China and India.
Read the full article here.
Mainline raises $6.8M in Series A funding
Houston-based esports tournament software management company Mainline raised $6.8 million (GBP5.22 million) in its Series A funding round.
The round was led by Work America Capital, with contribution from private investors. The capital will be used to enhance Mainline’s software technology and bolster its workforce.
Read the full article here.
Artist Capital Management raises $100M for esports fund
Investment management firm Artist Capital Management raised $100 million (GBP77.9 million) for its Artist Esports Edge Fund.
The fund “seeks to provide institutional investors with concentrated exposure to leading esports companies.” Artist Capital Management led 100 Thieves’ Series B round, which amounted to $35 million (GBP27.3 million), in July.
Read the full article here.
Astralis Group releases prospectus for IPO
Astralis Group shared the prospectus and plans for its upcoming initial product offering (IPO) on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market.
The parent company of Astralis, Origen, and Future FC offered shares from November 18-29th and has a three-year strategy for growth that involves scaling and developing its performance model, broadening its brand portfolio, and optimising its commercial platform.
Read the full article here.
ReKTGlobal receives investment from Landon Collins
ReKTGlobal, the parent company of Rogue and London Royal Ravens, received investment from NFL athlete Landon Collins.
Financial details of the Washington Redskins athlete’s investment were not disclosed. He joined the likes of Nicky Romero, Marco “Tainy” Masis, Lex Borrero, members of Imagine Dragons, and DJ Steve Aoki.
Read the full article here.
FanAI secures $8 million in Series A funding
Esports sponsorship data platform FanAI secured $8 million (GBP6.13M) in its Series A funding round.
The round of funding was led by Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corporation, with contributions from Courtside Ventures, Sterling VC, GFR Fund, Allectus Capital, CG Tracker Fund, M Ventures, and CRCM Ventures.
Read the full article here.
Misfits Gaming Group launches incubator and seed fund
Misfits Gaming Group announced the launch of a new company, MSF.IO, an esports and gaming-focused seed fund and incubator.
The fund will amount to $10 million (GBP7.8 million) and aims to help esports and gaming companies “take their business or idea to the next level.”
Read the full article here.
Torque Esports to merge with Frankly and WinView
Torque Esports Corp., Frankly Inc., and WinView, Inc. agreed to combine forces to form an “integrated news, gaming, sports, and esports platform” called Engine Media.
The company will be co-led by Darren Cox, CEO of Torque Esports and Lou Schwartz, CEO of Frankly. Tom Rogers, Executive Chairman of WinView, who also serves as Chairman of Frankly, will serve as Executive Chairman of Engine Media.
Read the full article here.
Houston Outlaws acquired by Beasley Media Group
Immortals Gaming Club sold Overwatch League franchise Houston Outlaws to Beasley Media Group.
The media company already has experience in the esports industry, having invested in Renegades in April. Immortals Gaming Club took control of Houston Outlaws when it acquired Infinite Esports & Entertainment, the parent company of OpTic Gaming, in June.
Read the full article here.