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Fnatic secures $17m led by Marubeni to drive further global growth
High-performance brand will harness $1bn esports market in 2021
Fnatic, the high-performance esports brand, has announced a $17m funding round led by one of the largest conglomerates in Japan, Marubeni Corporation (“Marubeni”). This investment will incorporate a strategic partnership to support Fnatic’s expansion into the growing Japanese esports sector, and the substantial Asia-Pacific market.
Marubeni’s investment in Fnatic builds upon twelve months of growth, including an 80% year-on-year increase in revenues year-to-date and expansion as a high-performance esports brand. Fnatic will now strengthen its position in the rapidly growing esports market, which Newzoo anticipates will generate $1.08bn in revenues in 2021.
The previous twelve months have also accelerated the growth of the global esports industry, particularly in cornerstone markets such as China and East Asia. Newzoo projects that the worldwide esports audience will grow to 474 million people in 2021, with 92.8 million enthusiasts in China alone. This global audience is expected to reach more than 577 million by 2024.
To tap into this global and growing market, Fnatic has recently strengthened its leadership team with the addition of Georgina Workman (Head of Studios, Previously Appear Here), Julien Dupont (Partnership development, previously Vitality/Havas), Oliver Royce (Head of Apparel, Previously Gymshark) and Patrick Foster (CFO, previously Getaround). It has also continued to develop its high-performance esports brand through expanding its digital and physical performance products – revenues from these ranges have increased by 91 per cent year on year in the first quarter of 2021.
The investment from Marubeni will also accelerate Fnatic’s growth in the substantial Asia-Pacific market with a new strategic partnership that will incorporate the expansion of Fnatic’s base of operations in Japan and support for Fnatic’s Rainbow 6 Siege team who plan to relocate to the country. The Japanese esports industry is a significant and growing market, expected to increase in value by more than 250 per cent between 2019 and 2023. More than 6.9 million people attended esports events in Japan in 2020, a 42 per cent increase on the previous year.
The current round includes a range of international family offices and institutional investors, alongside venture debt from Bootstrap. The round comes after Fnatic’s groundbreaking crowdraise in 2020, which was joined by more than 3,500 investors.
Fnatic CEO Sam Mathews said: “We’re so excited to have the strategic know-how of Marubeni leading this funding round. Marubeni’s knowledge of Japan’s business landscape will be a huge asset to Fnatic as we expand our commitment to APAC.”
Founded in 2004, Fnatic is the world’s leading high-performance esports brand, with more tier-1 tournament wins than any other organisation. This focus on performance has enabled the growth of Fnatic’s pioneering esports equipment line, which grew 52 per cent in 2020. Fnatic has also expanded its high-performance teams globally, with a worldwide squad of 40 pro gamers across 8 game titles, and more than 100 staff in 6 offices globally.
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EGT to make a memorable show at Belgrade Future Gaming 2024
Only a few days remain until Belgrade Future Gaming 2024, where EGT will demonstrate its vision for the future of the gaming industry. The latest innovations alongside the company’s well-established products will be available to guests at stand E1.
The Phoenix slot cabinet will stand out among the top offers for the Serbian gaming audience. Powered by the latest Exciter IV platform and including 27-inch monitors, keyboard with dynamic touch display and electromechanical buttons and numerous ergonomic features, this model has already gained popularity in a number of markets around the world and is expected to reap success in Serbia as well. It will be equipped with the bestseller Bell Link, which will introduce its new multigame Bell Link 2. The mix contains 10 exciting games and provides players with even more opportunities to win and have fun.
Supreme Green Selection, the first multigame of the latest Supreme Selection Series of EGT, will also make its local debut. Including a fascinating set of 50 titles on different themes, it will certainly not go unnoticed by visitors to the stand.
Guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy the variety of slots of the well-known General and Power Series multigames, as well as test their luck with the Gods & Kings Link jackpot. The slot selection will be complemented by cabinets from the General Series.
EGT’s multiplayer portfolio will be also on display. The roulettes G R6 C and the terminals G 32 T will showcase their eye-catching design, multiple ergonomic features and great flexibility, allowing many possible configurations with other devices.
The company’s casino management system Spider will also demonstrate its latest modules, which make the management of the daily activities in gaming establishments easy and effective.
EGT Digital will present its iGaming solutions as well. The provider will show its wide diversity of instant and casino games, jackpot solutions, as well as the in-house developed all-in-one betting platform X-Nave with its four main modules, which provides operators with everything needed to build and maintain a successful online business.
“Belgrade Future Gaming is an exhibition of great significance for Serbia and the region, and I am happy that we will take part in this year’s edition as well,” said Aleksandar Kliska, General Director of EGT Group d.o.o. Serbia. “It will give us the opportunity to reveal the huge potential of our products and solidify our leadership positions in the local market.”
The post EGT to make a memorable show at Belgrade Future Gaming 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Gaming Innovation Group – Mandatory notification of trade
Mikael Riese Harstad, Chairman of the Board and primary insider of Gaming Innovation Group Inc.
(GiG), has today transferred 864,403 shares in GiG to a life insurance policy with SEB Life International Assurance Company DAC with himself as the sole policy holder.
In addition, Helena Riese Harstad, a close associate of Mikael Riese Harstad, has today transferred 477,733 shares in GiG to a life insurance policy with SEB Life International Assurance Company DAC with herself as the sole policy holder.
After these transactions, Harstad and close associates owns no shares directly, but hold 1,342,136 shares through life insurance policies with SEB Life International Assurance Company DAC.
For further information, contact:
Tore Formo, Group CFO, [email protected] +47 916 68 678
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
The post Gaming Innovation Group – Mandatory notification of trade appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Clarion Gaming and ExCeL London plan for the migration of iGB L!VE 2025 to the heart of igaming
Clarion Gaming is advancing preparations for the migration of iGB L!VE to London in July 2025 establishing a roadmap of activities in partnership with the senior team at ExCeL London which will host the leading global event.
The latest meeting between the two organisations featured:
- iGB L!VE Portfolio Director Naomi Barton,
- Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter,
- Head of Operations Richard Logan and
- Head of Marketing Jody Frost with the senior team from ExCeL led by the venue’s
- Chief Commercial Officer Simon Mills.
Expanding on the meeting Naomi Barton said: “This was the second senior level planning meeting that we have held with our colleagues at ExCeL London in order to move the home of the igaming community to a city which is the heart of the igaming industry in a country which is igaming’s largest market.
“The roadmap is being created in order to anticipate industry needs, address pain points and to exceed the expectations of customers. The migration of what is already a top performing Tier One igaming event is set against the backdrop of iGB L!VE’s 5-year growth plan which is focused on delivering 35,000 visitors and over 550 exhibitors and sponsors by 2029.
“Our vision is to harness the tremendous momentum created by the iGB L!VE brand and to take the event to a whole new level in a new venue, and a new exceptionally well-connected global home in the city of London.
“ExCeL London has a fantastic track record of helping events to fulfil their potential, and all of the building blocks are in place for iGB L!VE and its customers to accelerate their businesses to new heights in London.
She added: “Placing our customers at the heart of everything that we do is central plank to the iGB L!VE growth strategy, and the roadmap for 2025 is underpinned by a clear customer-focused programme that will ensure maximum cost-effectiveness as well as global growth for all of our stakeholders.
“We will be using July’s edition of iGB L!VE not only to reflect and celebrate our time in Amsterdam and say thank you to our fantastic partners for many years RAI Amsterdam, but also enable our vendors and customers to secure their presence at ExCeL London in 2025.”
The post Clarion Gaming and ExCeL London plan for the migration of iGB L!VE 2025 to the heart of igaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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