HAX is a venture capital-based program dedicated to accelerating startups with a hardware element. Their program operates across two locations, San Francisco and Shenzhen, giving founders the resources necessary to move with lightning speed. Teams accepted into the program will focus on rapid iteration of prototyping in many forms. This includes physical models, technology iterations, user interaction studies, volumetric studies, marketing messaging, business plans and launch strategies. With the help of HAX’s full-time staff, mentors, partners, and startup community, they’ll also work with you on developing a scalable business plan. As teams are ready to take their  product to market, they’ll head to San Francisco to work with HAX on business development, fundraising, and growth. This stage emphasizes introductions to corporates, investors, partners and press. It also focuses on helping teams secure their first round of funding, as well as gain first-revenue and partnership traction. HAX is an SOSV program. SOSV is a global venture capital firm that operates startup venture programs around the world. SOSV had more than 1,000 portfolio companies and $950 million in assets under management.

FirstMark is an early-stage venture capital firm based in New York City, backing exceptional founders making their mark on the world. FirstMark has proudly invested in founders of remarkable businesses like Pinterest, Shopify, DraftKings, Discord, Airbnb, Stubhub, Riot Games, and dozens more.

FirstMark

Tencent is an internet service portal offering value-added internet, mobile, telecom, and online advertising services. Its communications and social platforms Weixin and QQ connect users with each other, with digital content and daily life services in just a few clicks.  Tencent has maintained steady growth under its user-oriented operating strategies. It provides value-added internet, mobile, and telecom services, as well as online advertising under the strategic goal of providing users with ''one-stop online lifestyle services.'' Tencent’s Internet platforms in China – QQ (QQ Instant Messenger), WeChat, QQ.com, QQ Games, Qzone, 3g.QQ.com, SoSo, PaiPai, and Tenpay – aim to address the various needs of internet users, including communication, information, entertainment, e-commerce, and others. In September 2013, Tencent's market valuation rose to $101 billion, and as of November 21, 2013, QQ had 2 billion active users and WeChat had 650 million monthly active users. The numbers of active users for QQ mail, Qzone, Tencent Weibo, and QQ news were 274 million, 626 million, 220 million, and 150 million, respectively. Tencent was founded in November of 1998. In April 2000, the IDG and PCCW invested a total of $2.2 million dollars in the company. Tencent was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (SEHK) on June 16, 2004. Baidu, Alibaba, and Netease are Tencent's major competitors.

Tencent

Benchmark invests in and works alongside entrepreneurs building startups into transformational companies. They focus on early-stage venture investing in mobile, marketplaces, social, and infrastructure and enterprise software. Founded in 1995, the firm has offices in Woodside and San Francisco, California. The firm has been recognized for its commitment to open source and is noted for creating the first equal ownership and compensation structure for its partners. The five equal general partners who take board seats and a hands-on approach to every entrepreneur and company they back, with no junior investment staff. Current general partners are Chetan Puttagunta, Sarah Tavel, Victor Lazarte, Peter Fenton, and Eric Vishria. Benchmark has had 37 exits since beginning of 2011; 14 IPOs and 23 M&As representing a total market value of more than $60 billion. Benchmark’s current portfolio of early-stage venture investments includes private market leaders such as Uber, Snapchat, Tinder, Stitch Fix, Elastic and Cyanogen; recent IPOs and acquisitions such as Twitter, Instagram, Yelp, League of Legends, Jasper, OpenTable, New Relic, Hortonworks, Amplitude, Confluent, GrubHub, Zendesk and Zillow; and franchise companies from Juniper to eBay to Red Hat.

Benchmark

Riot Games

A foundational component to the next generation of digital entertainment.

Esports

Gamelynx is focused on building a mobile-based platform that allows users to compete in multiplayer games. The platform raised USD 1.2 million in 2018 led by Y Combinator and Riot Games. The product is not commercialized as of September 2020.

Frost Giant Studios is a game production studio launched by ex-Blizzard Entertainment executives Tim Morten and Tim Campbell. The studio will focus on producing real-time strategy (RTS) games for competitive gaming on PCs.Frost’s team comprises eight former Blizzard Entertainment employees. Its co-founders, Tim Morten and Tim Campbell, bring considerable industry experience to the new venture. Tim Morten was production director for Starcraft II at Blizzard Entertainment and has had stints at Sony and Electronic Arts. Tim Campbell was the lead campaign designer for Warcraft III at Blizzard Entertainment, has co-founded multiple game studios (SuperVillain Studios and FireForge), and has served at OtherSide Entertainment (design director) and inXile Entertainment (game director). The company also announced the hire of former Starcraft II lead engineer, James Anhalt, as chief architect to oversee Frost’s engineering team in March 2021. Anhalt brings more than 20 years of experience at Blizzard.Funding and financialsThe company's latest funding round was in January 2024, where it raised USD 2.1 million in funding via its KickStarter campaign. Funds were earmarked to develop the company's real-time-strategy (RTS) game, Stormgate.

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 Believer, founded by former Riot Games executives Michael Chow and Steven Snow, aims to create large multiplayer &quot;open world&quot; games that focus on player choices. Believer plans to initially focus on building original IP and stories playable across platforms, with a technology play, which is an effort to provide players with more innovative ways to consume games (e.g., connected TVs, AR/VR, etc.) As of March 2023, the company was in stealth mode and did not have any launch plans for the next 3&ndash;5 years.
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 In 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/16924">
 March 2023
 </a>
 , the company raised USD 55 million in funding led by Lightspeed Venture Partners. The fresh funds were used to increase headcount and develop original IP and content.
 
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Stoke Games operates as an independent gaming studio.

Wicked Saints Studios develops a game studio platform using behavioral technology to create interactive media. Its technology is combined with narrative augmented reality (AR) experience for a generation that cares about their mental health.

The Believer Company is a game development studio dedicated to putting the player at the center of their games. It has game developers from all over the world who have created games ranging from Words With Friends to League of Legends, Destiny to PvZ.

Longjiang Network is an AR mobile game developer, dedicated to the development and IP operation of AR games.

Stratosphere Games is a modern development studio and publisher of online games founded in 2015. The core idea of the company is the production of high-quality core MMOs (Massive Multiplayer Online Games) for mobile devices and other platforms. In cooperation with publishers worldwide, the over 67 strong team in Berlin-Mitte works on well-known brands such as Homeworld Mobile. For more information, visit http://www.stratosphere-games.com.

GGWP provides a gaming tool to help reduce toxic and disruptive in the game.

Fortiche is a creative studio specialized in 3D animations and visual F/X for commercials, music videos, video games, and various digital content. They have a team of artists and movie directors constantly exploring ways of producing images. Their studio is taking on the whole creative process from concept to direction, art design, production, and post-production. They are open to collaboration with movie directors, production companies, and agencies.

Frost Giant Studios is a production studio focused on real-time strategy (RTS) games for competitive gaming on PCs. The studio aims to bring innovation and quality to the RTS genre, leveraging the expertise of its founders who have worked on popular titles like StarCraft II. Frost Giant Studios concentrates on establishing a direct connection with real-time strategy (RTS), developing games tailored for actual players through feedback incorporation. They uphold the enduring mechanics of RTS, strategically broadening their audience while staying true to the existing fan base of the genre. Frost Giant Studios is at the forefront with their latest release, Stormgate.

Carry1st is a full-stack publisher of social games and interactive content with a focus on frontier markets like Africa. Founded in 2018 by Cordel Robbin-Coker, Lucy Hoffman, and Tino Mundangepfupfu, Carry1st employs a team of 29 people across 14 countries hailing from top companies like Carlyle, King, Jumia, Rovio, Socialpoint, and Wargaming. It has raised over $10m to date including a recent $7m Series A headlined by Riot Games, Konvoy Ventures, Raine, and Akatsuki. Carry1st will use the funding to launch and scale its existing portfolio, secure new partnerships with global gaming studios, and expand its team.

Mainframe Industries is a Reykjavik, Iceland and Helsinki, Finland-based startup working on the development of an open world, social sandbox MMO for cloud gaming.The company will will work on an open-world, social sandbox MMO specifically designed for cloud gaming, with cross-platform play across mobile, PC, and TV. Mainframe believes that the promise of friction-free access from social networks and streaming platforms on the device of your choice will greatly expand the creative canvas for game developers.

Double Loop Games is a mobile studio dedicated to making delightful, relaxing experiences for the biggest audience in games.

Last Gameboard is a technology company that is building the world's first board game console. It is a 3D capture device using our patented SenseScreen Touch technology. Its 16” x 16” screen  allows players to use their own dice, cards, minis, and play anyone anywhere. Gameboard establishes meaningful in-person and online connections through gameplay.

Bunch is the first app that allows its users to play their favorite games with friends over video chat. Its platform is the easiest way for players to discover, play, and share live mobile games with their friends. It was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in New York City, New York.

Hypixel Studio is a work on its first game, an open-world concept called Hytale.

Klang Games is an independent game development studio that develops next generation games. The Klang Gang has grown into a strong team of twelve like-minded individuals from diverse working backgrounds, who all share a similar passion for gaming and creating something special. Klang Games launched its first project, ReRunners: Race for the World, for iOS and Android devices, which was well-received by the gaming press and the gaming community. The company strives to create sustainable products by providing unique playing experiences, utilizing innovative technology, developing distinctive art styles and design, and building valuable communities. Klang Games was founded on 2013 and is based in Berlin, Germany.

Our purpose is to build friendships by creating legendary game experiences that bring players closer together, united in a sense of adventure, exploration and fellowship. At Bonfire being the best means being driven to excel, not as individuals but as a team. We believe that skill and experience are only part of the puzzle – an adventurous spirit, a commitment to excellence and a passion for iteration are essential.

Curse is a global multimedia and technology company that creates content and products for gamers. It also provides information and tools to help gamers. The portal comprises community sites, tools, databases, videos, guides, live streaming, and eSports teams that enable its viewers to reach curse’s media content through a variety of channels, including websites, video, and desktop applications. The company was formerly known as Curse-Gaming. Curse was founded in 2005 and is based in Huntsville, Alabama. It has sales offices in New York, New York; Los Angeles, California; Surrey Hills, Australia; London, England; and Berlin, Germany. The company also has a sales and finance office in San Francisco, California.

Riot Games is a global company that develops online games. The company was founded by a couple of entrepreneurial gamers who believe player-focused game development can result in better quality games. In 2009, Riot Games released its debut title, League of Legends, a game played by over 67 million users every month.  Riot Games was placed third on the Great Place to Work’s 2013 Best Medium Workplaces list and ranked fourth place in the ''25 Best Companies to Work for in Technology'' list, an accolade based on Glassdoor reviews of Riot by Rioters.  Riot Games was founded by Marc Merrill and Brandon Beck in March 2007 and is headquartered in Culver City, California.

The League of Legends MMO "reset" earlier this year, but Riot Games' co-founder says it only "dramatically increased the likelihood of success"

Companies facilitating communication among esports players or between players and esports communities during gameplay.

Companies operating esports arenas and providing technical expertise for hosting and broadcasting competitive leagues and tournaments. 

Companies facilitating competitive online and in-person esports tournaments.

Companies producing and broadcasting esports related content.

Companies recruiting players to form professional teams and rosters for esports tournaments and leagues.

Companies developing esports related titles.

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PROMINENT_CATEGORY

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 OverActive Media has solidified a long-term relationship with Riot Games in regards to the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC). As part of the deal, OverActive Media won't have to pay $2 million in franchise fees. Plus, they'll have the chance to earn revenue from different areas like sponsorships, merchandise sales, in-game purchases, and media rights. The company will also have full ownership of their franchises. 
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