This week in Esports: Piqué and Zlatan join in, Challengeme secures investment and UoL go H2O

24 February 2017

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Global superstars Zlatan Ibrahimović and Gerard Piqué left it late this week to prevent the esports industry from going a week without interest and investment from the tradtional sports world. In other esports news, Challengeme Esports has revealed a huge equity investment and Unicorns of Love have partnered with a mineral water brand. 

We’ve seen a plethora of NBA teams, former players and investors throwing their wallet at esports and Zlatan has joined the ever-expanding list of high-profile investors through his investment in startup ChallengermodePiqué has teased plans of an esports project, whilst Berlin based Challengeme Esports has acquired eSports Hero Inc and revealed they’ve received $4.9m(£3.9m) in equity investment. Last but not least, Unicorns of Love have partnered with Gerolsteiner, Germany’s best selling mineral water brand. 

Once teammates at Barcelona, Zlatan and Piqué look set to get involved in esports

Ibrahimovic invests in Challengermode

Challengermode have closed their latest round of funding with $1.3m (£1.03m) of investment, with Manchester United superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović amongst the investors. 

The Swedish company was founded in Stockholm in 2014. Challengermode is an online platform that allows gamers to compete like professionals and win prizes ranging from money to sponsored products.

Robel Efrem, CEO & Founder of Challengermode commented: “The company has quickly grown to become a leading actor in the Northern European esports scene, working with major partners. Twitch, Nordea and Save the Children are a few of them.

“We are now seeing the next phase of esports going mainstream around the world, and we couldn’t be more excited by the brands and investors who have chosen to join us in creating tools for players and brands alike to thrive in this booming field.”

Read the full article here.

Piqué teases esports project

One of Zlatan’s many ex-colleagues Gerard Piqué has revealed his passion for esports and has teased a big project that he is planning on launching in the future. There are very little details available as to what the project entails, but announced on El Món a RAC1 that the it will be large. 

It’s already knowm that his teammate, and global superstar Neymar enjoys Counter-Strike: Global Offensive so we could potentially see a collaboration from the two of them.

Read the full article here.

Challengeme Esports acquires Esports Hero and secures $4.9m investment

Berlin based Challengeme Esports GmbH, a platform provider of esports player matchmaking and tournaments, announced the acquisition of US-based eSports Hero Inc. last night. 

It also announced that Australian company Esports Mogul (ESM), has made a commitment of $4.9m (£3.9m) in equity investment and guaranteed marketing contribution into Challengeme Esports GmbH. The firm will also become the exclusive partner for the APAC region.

Simon Seefeldt, CEO of Challengeme Esports commented: “We are incredibly excited to be joining forces with Esports Mogul and Esports Hero. Combining ESM as a strategic partner and investor with the acquisition of Esports Hero, will allow ChallengeMe.GG to expand faster and more aggressively on a truly global scale.”

Managing Director of Esports Mogul, Gernot Abl, gave his thoughts: “We are deeply impressed by ChallengeMe.GG’s platform, including the technology and team behind it, as well as the success it has already built in the European market. We are confident that ChallengeMe.GG will be very successful in APAC too, and will form the centrepiece of our esports strategy in the region.”

Read the full article here.

Unicorns of Love reveal mineral water sponsorship

European esports organisation Unicorns of Love have announced a new partnership but it’s not the usual energy drink partnership we’ve come to expect of the esports scene. 

The team has struck a deal with  Germany’s best selling mineral water brand Gerolsteiner

According to the press release from Unicorns’ marketing partner Lagardère Sports, Gerolsteiner plans ‘extensive communications measures and will supply the Unicorns with mineral water and flavoured drinks. Furthermore, the mineral spring has also secured comprehensive logo presence on the UoL jerseys’.

Read further comment and the full article here.