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GFR Fund Opens New $20M Investment Fund for Tech Startups Disrupting Digital Media and Entertainment
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New Fund Seeks Founders and Technologies in VR/AR, eSports, Live Streaming, AI and Blockchain
GFR Fund, an early-stage venture capital fund, today announced it has raised $20 million to launch its second fund, GFR Fund II, with a focus on technology startups disrupting the digital entertainment sector. GFR Fund is backed by multiple strategic investors from Asia and is an affiliate of leading mobile gaming company GREE, headquartered in Japan. GFR Fund offers its portfolio global business opportunities in the Asian market combined with deep connections in Silicon Valley and decades of experience in digital media.
“We are looking beyond traditional game developers to invest in disruptive entertainment technologies,” said Teppei Tsutsui, Managing Partner of GFR Fund. “There is a new wave of founders and creators who are creatively combining existing technologies to offer new, scalable experiences, and that is very exciting. We have seen this already in products like Discord, and the market is ready for more new innovations.”
Some of GFR Fund’s notable investments to date have blended emerging technologies in creative ways to produce new opportunities in entertainment. For example, Sliver.tv combined blockchain and live streaming content to create the next generation eSports entertainment platform for top games like “Fortnite,” “League of Legends,” “CSGO,” and more.
The first two investments under GFR Fund II are in the eSports category.
Santa Monica-based Fan.AI is the leading audience monetization platform for sports and esports. The platform increases franchise and sponsorship revenues by making audience data actionable. GFR has invested in FanAI’s latest multi-million dollar round that will be announced in the next two months.
“GFR Fund has a deep understanding of gaming and esports in both Asia and U.S. markets, that combined with their focus on entertainment makes GFR a great partner as we expand into new verticals,” said Johannes Waldstein, founder and CEO of Fan.AI. “We will use the investment to expand our team and scale our business from an esports-focused SaaS model to a platform that encompasses sports and entertainment.”
Los Angeles-based ProGuides is a freemium eSports platform for gamers to learn, connect, and play together. “We enjoy working with GFR Fund and the guidance they provide when navigating Japanese video game publishers is extremely valuable to our business,” said Sam Wang, CEO of ProGuides. “GFR invested in our pre-seed stage round, which will be used to expand our platform to include more games and influencers.”
Virtual Beings at Game Developers Conference
GFR Fund is bringing together industry experts from the U.S. and Asia, investors and entrepreneurs to share their views on what Virtual Beings bring to entertainment. This invite only event will take place on March 21st in San Francisco, during the Game Developers Conference. Contact GFR Fund for details.
About GFR Fund
The GFR Fund is a venture capital fund that works with strategic investors to give early-stage technology companies the opportunity to accelerate growth in the digital entertainment sector. GFR Fund is an affiliate of GREE, Inc., a global leader in mobile gaming industry. To date, the GFR Fund has invested in more than 30 companies, including VRChat, SPACES, Sliver.tv, Littlstar, Insidemaps, YBVR, Experiment 7, TheWaveVR, Sturfee, InsiteVR, Streem, DottyAR and Torch3D. For more information visit www.gfrfund.com.
SOURCE GFR Fund
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: GFR Fund Opens New M Investment Fund for Tech Startups Disrupting Digital Media and Entertainment

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Gamblers Connect Launches Dedicated ‘Game Providers’ and ‘B2B Providers’ Sections to Strengthen Industry Partnerships and Visibility
Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming affiliate and media platform, officially announced the launch of two new partner-focused destinations on its website: the Game Providers section and the B2B Providers section.
These hubs are designed to give verified partners richer exposure, clearer positioning, and a single home for comprehensive company profiles, reviews, and work highlights.
Gamblers Connect has specially curated profiles for official Game Provider partners, featuring company history, entertainment categories, flagship titles, and direct links to online casinos where their games are available. Profiles also showcase notable projects and media mentions, with direct navigation to games, categories, and live operator placements. To extend reach, partners enjoy ongoing amplification through Gamblers Connect’s media network and communications channels.
The B2B Providers Section provides in-depth profiles and reviews for official B2B partners—covering background, core services, market presence, and notable projects—built to help operators, studios, and peers evaluate capabilities at a glance. Unlike standard directories, these hubs serve as an exclusive showcase, designed to provide clarity, context, and visibility for partners while helping decision-makers connect with the right collaborators.
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: “These hubs for Game Providers and B2B Companies are not just pages, they are powerful tools that help partners tell their story and reach decision-makers. Our goal is simple: to make it easier for the industry to discover, compare, and connect.”
Companies interested in being officially featured and reviewed on Gamblers Connect can request inclusion. [email protected] [email protected] | Telegram: @lukadimitrijevic
The post Gamblers Connect Launches Dedicated ‘Game Providers’ and ‘B2B Providers’ Sections to Strengthen Industry Partnerships and Visibility appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Gamblers Connect Shortlisted for Prestigious Affiliate Awards at SiGMA EURO-MED and SBC Summit 2025
Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming media and affiliate platform, is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for two major industry accolades: Best Affiliate 2025 at SiGMA EURO-MED and Affiliate Traffic Source of the Year at the SBC Summit Affiliate Leaders Awards.
These nominations highlight Gamblers Connect’s continued commitment to transparency, innovation, and delivering meaningful value to both players and partners across the global iGaming landscape.
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: “Being shortlisted for two such prestigious awards is a true recognition of the hard work and dedication our entire team has invested over the past year. It reinforces our mission to stand out not only as a trusted affiliate partner but also as a key driver of visibility and sustainable growth within the industry.”
In 2025, Gamblers Connect expanded its ecosystem with dedicated Game Provider and B2B Provider sections, introduced exclusive PR collaborations and interviews, and strengthened its role as a reliable traffic source for operators and providers worldwide.
With a focus on SEO excellence, responsible gambling practices, and long-term partnerships, Gamblers Connect has cemented its reputation as one of the most influential affiliates in the sector.
These nominations showcase the strength of Gamblers Connect’s dual identity — both as a trusted content hub for players and as a strategic growth partner for B2B companies, operators, and providers.
The post Gamblers Connect Shortlisted for Prestigious Affiliate Awards at SiGMA EURO-MED and SBC Summit 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Favbet × Spinner: An Exclusive Live Studio That Has Already Gained Recognition in Ukraine
Ukraine now has its first full-fledged Ukrainian-language live product, created by local specialists for local players.
The format combines modern technology with national identity, turning gameplay into a space where native language is heard from the very first moment.
Favbet opened a new opportunity for the market in the live segment. Without waiting for audience demand, the company shaped it itself, introducing its own branded live studio powered by Spinner. This proactive step secured Favbet’s reputation as an innovator that sets standards and creates trends.
The project was entrusted to Spinner — a modern and ambitious B2B provider with Ukrainian DNA and technological expertise, capable of delivering a fully branded studio in the state language. The partnership united shared values, high standards, and a clear understanding that players choose content closest and most relatable to them.
The studio’s atmosphere reflects Ukrainian character and hospitality. Hosts communicate in a relaxed manner, respond in real time, keep conversations flowing, and add light humor. It is a place players come not only for the game but also for live interaction and a sense of community.
Deep customization, Ukrainian-speaking hosts, and instant support create the comfort level every Favbet user deserves. Demand has grown so rapidly that in just one year the number of tables doubled from six to twelve.
Most importantly, these games are available exclusively on Favbet’s website and mobile applications.
Favbet × Spinner made Ukrainian the foundation and raised the quality bar to the level of global best practices.
PARTICIPATION IN GAMBLING CAN LEAD TO ADDICTION. PLEASE FOLLOW RESPONSIBLE GAMING PRINCIPLES.
License for online casino operations dated 20.04.2021 issued to LLC “BC Favbet” under CRGL Decision No. 137 of 05.04.2021 (as amended), and license for bookmaking operations dated 28.12.2022 issued to LLC “BC Favbet” under CRGL Decision No. 433 of 13.12.2022.
The post Favbet × Spinner: An Exclusive Live Studio That Has Already Gained Recognition in Ukraine appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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