Pllay

PLLAY is a mobile-based app that allows video gamers to compete for cash prizes on Xbox and Playstation, within games such as Call of Duty, Madden, FIFA, NBA, and Fortnite. The platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor the outcomes of matches. PLLAY does not charge a cut out of player earnings and earns revenue through advertising and brand partnerships. The company is run by experienced entrepreneurs Shawn Gunn and Christine Kryzanowski. Gunn has over 20 years of experience in startups and enterprises having had five successful exits generating over USD 1 billion in value.

The company claims that new registrations have doubled during 2021, and as a result, new matches being played have increased tenfold. During the same period, the average size of a wager increased to more than USD 20 per match.

In November 2020, PLLAY raised USD 3 million in seed funding led by Screen Play Ventures. The round included participation from Bradley Beal (NBA All-Star), Chad Easterling (Managing Director of Obsidian Works), and Russell Stokes (President and CEO of General Electric Power Portfolio). The fresh capital will be used to boost hiring, accelerate platform development, and facilitate user acquisition. Furthermore, the company will launch a crowdfunding campaign on MicroVentures (an online equity-based crowdfunding platform) to continue its growth strategy. Moreover, the company announced that it raised an additional USD 1 million in April 2021, bringing its oversubscribed seed round to USD 4 million. The extended round was led by Viridian Equity Partners and Gayle Jennings-O’Byrne. The fresh funds will be funneled toward product development and for talent and user acquisition.

PLLAY partnered with the Indian casual game studio HashCube Gaming in January 2022. The partnership revolved around PLLAY’s enterprise solution, which allows gaming studios to manage and monetize new services for their games and increase player engagement. PLLAY expects to reach an additional 20 million mobile users through the partnership.