Warsaw-based interactive media start-up StreamCards has raised approximately $530,000 (~£375,500) from its private investment round.
StreamCards was incubated by Tar Heel Capital Pathfinder, a venture building and venture capital fund which has supported other projects such as GRID Esports, Gamivo, and Skinwallet.
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Speaking to Esports Insider, StreamCards VP of Operations, Dominika Szot, highlighted that the funds will be used to ‘scale the current product’. This includes, but is reportedly not limited to, ‘various additional gamification and engagement mechanics’ as well as ‘more sophisticated analytical tools’ focused on delivering insights on users and their engagement for broadcasters.
In addition, the firm has announced that it plans to expand its portfolio of products.
StreamCards is a real-time game designed specifically to accompany esports events, made possible by its collaboration with GRID Esports.
The start-up has designed a Twitch Extension card game for audiences to interact with and compete amongst themselves during esports tournament streams.
Simply put, StreamCards’ custom-built OTT card game awards players points for correctly predicting and selecting cards associated with live in-game outcomes. The integration is available directly from the tournament broadcaster and does not require any additional configuration from the viewer once activated.
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According to the press release, the product is currently focused on CS:GO broadcasts but plans to add support for additional top esports titles by year’s end.
Daniel Sieradzan, StreamCards CEO commented: “Until now, esports tournament broadcasts were a passive form of content consumption. StreamCards brings on-stream interactivity to a completely new level.
“Audiences become immersed in the action, which gives broadcasters an opportunity to provide exclusive content for their viewers.
“What’s equally important, however, is that tournament sponsors gain an additional medium to position themselves on stream, increasing not only their brand awareness, but also brand engagement. As such, our product creates a whole new ecosystem for esports stakeholders.”
Alongside the investment news, StreamCards has announced signups for its closed-beta testing, in partnership with Berlin-based esports content platform The Esports Bible. As a result, users will get a first look at StreamCards’ Twitch extension during the entirety of Spring Sweet Spring’s CS:GO tournament.
The extension will only be available for whitelisted viewers on The Esports Bible Twitch channel.
Szot shared that beta testers will receive ‘exclusive gifts’ for participating and filling in a feedback form. Interested parties can sign up for the beta-testing via StreamCards’ website.
Esports Insider says: StreamCards’ product is a unique and engaging development in fan engagement and OTT interactivity. As the user base grows, the potential for intuitive brand activation, customisation and game development opportunities make the product especially appealing for broadcasts of all sizes.