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 esports investments, mergers, and acquisitions of August 2020, including $189 million (£141.4 million) in disclosed funding.
Veloce Esports raises £4 million, will merge with Veloce Racing
Team organisation Veloce Esports announced it had closed a new funding round, and will merge in its Veloce Racing brand going forward.
The Financial Times reported that the organisation raised £4 million in the round, which includes former Lloyds Development Capital CEO, Darryl Eales, currently co-chairman of Veloce Racing.
Vancouver’s The Gaming Stadium goes public, raises $1.58M CAD
The Gaming Stadium, an esports venue based outside Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, went public and raised $1.58 million CAD (£900,000).
The venue’s parent company Myesports Ventures merged with capital pool company Brockton Ventures to form a new entity, TGS Esports Inc, which is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange.
ESE Entertainment raises over $2.25M CAD amid public listing
Esports organisation ESE Entertainment Inc. has secured over $2.25 million CAD (£1.3 million) in investment alongside its public listing.
The company’s shares are set to begin trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on Monday, August 17 under the symbol “ESE”.
Challengermode receives $12M investment from Alibaba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Swedish esports platform Challengermode secured a $12 million (£9,132,180) investment led by Alibaba investment arm eWTP Innovation Fund.
The capital will be used to “enable further growth, international expansion and accelerated monetization” for the platform. Additional contributors to the investment include Telia Ventures, GP Bullhound, Back in Black Capital, and Swedish professional footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Challengermode wants to help brands, content creators, and developers to “reach, engage and monetize their target audiences” through esports.
Gen.G establishes 10-year $1M foundation
Multinational organisation Gen.G Esports announced a $1 million (£757,655) foundation to develop “the next generation of leaders” in gaming.
The Gen.G Foundation has committed $100,000 (375,765.50) on an annual basis for the next 10 years.
BITKRAFT Ventures raises $165M for esports, gaming investments
BITKRAFT Ventures, a leading esports venture capital fund, raised a total of $165 million (£125 million) to invest across esports, gaming, and interactive entertainment.
The BITKRAFT Venture Fund I closed above its original target of $125 million (£94.7 million), thanks to contributions from a wide array of investors, including investment firms and corporate investors.
Redragon to acquire 7.5% of Flamengo Esports from Simplicity Esports
Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company entered a letter of intent that would see Redragon obtain equity in its Brazilian subsidiary.
The deal would see Redragon acquire 7.5 percent equity stake in Simplicity One Brasil, the company behind Flamengo Esports, for $390,000 (£290,746.95) in cash and over $133,000 (£99,152.16) in additional consideration.
Ben Simmons explains decision to invest in FaZe Clan
NBA basketball player Ben Simmons invested in North American organisation FaZe Clan. The amount invested was not disclosed.
“It’s a whole other level now,” Simmons told Esports Insider. “It’s more than just gaming, it’s a culture. It’s the perfect time to get involved with everything going on. I’ve always been very interested in the gaming world and I think this is the perfect opportunity. It goes deeper than just an investment for me, I have genuine friends in FaZe Clan.
ReKTGlobal acquires digital media agency Fearless Media
ReKTGlobal, the parent company of Rogue and London Royal Ravens, acquired New York-based digital media agency Fearless Media.
The deal will “further solidify relationships across all verticals” owned by ReKTGlobal by consolidating “Fearless Media’ extensive media network, brand partners and marketing experts.”