Game publisher Riot Games announced the acquisition of media technology startup Kanga.
Kanga will join Riot’s Global Digital Esports group where it will focus on developing digital fandom features and experiences. Financial details of the acquisition have not been revealed.
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Founded in 2018, Kanga is a startup focusing on creating ‘fan-hubs’ that facilitate exclusive content, social wagering, merchandise sales, and video content aggregation specific to an individual’s favourite esports teams and streamers.
The acquisition is immediate, with Kanga’s website only showing the information about the news.
Luke Cudney, Director of Esports Product Management for Riot Games, commented: “We are thrilled to have Jake and his team join us in our quest to make the world better for esports fans. Kanga represented the very rare and perfect mix of talent, shared vision, passion, and value alignment.
“I am so excited by what we are building together to foster deep, meaningful fan participation with esports.”
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According to the release, Kanga founder Jake Perlman-Garr will take a yet undefined position at Riot Games. As well as his venture with Kanga, Perlman-Garr is an angel investor and Co-founder for a number of New York-based startups such as data company Datavore. Moreover, he is a former Goldman Sachs employee.
Perlman-Garr noted: “Riot’s bold vision for esports is unparalleled across gaming so we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to contribute our expertise in audience engagement and gaming fandom to the mission.”
Esports Insider says: With this merger, Riot gets the ability to create even more fan-focused content and activations. While it is yet unknown what the exact reason for acquiring Kanga is, we are sure to see the effects the merger had in the upcoming months.
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