North American digital marketing and media startup Wisdom Gaming Group has raised $3m in Series A funding.

Investors were led by fellow Minneapolis-based Excelsior Ventures Fund, and the new capital will enable Wisdom Gaming Group to expand its portfolio of gaming and esports tournament communities, and turn some of its 50-60 freelance content creators into employees. 

Though, like other companies, Wisdom’s event planning and collaborations have been disrupted by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, over the past year the company has kept itself busy acquiring HeroesHearth, Heroes of the Storm community, along with Rocket League organisations Alpine Esports and Gold Rush. 

The company has landed some notable clients too, helping advise brands including Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, and the Minnesota Twins. Jack Links subsequently signed a sponsorship deal with Dallas-based Call of Duty side Team Envy. 

Discussing the investment CEO of Wisdom Gaming Group, Mike Zweigbaum, said:

“As more people and brands learn about esports and its potential as a revenue generator, we are energized by the opportunities this financing round will create for our clients and our team, as our digital content offerings leverage the most effective, engaging forms of media and non-traditional marketing to connect with Gen Z and millennial audiences.

“We will be deliberate in the gaming titles and content we focus on, continuing to stay true to our vision to build authentic communities and fandom among our unique properties. And we will help educate and chart the course for relevant brands and businesses for how to best connect with gamers.”

While Co-founder of Excelsior Ventures Fund, Michael Hoffman, added:

“We believe the esports sector is positioned to benefit from the convergence of content and commerce by leveraging the tremendous global participation of the key millennial and Gen Z demographic groups. As our second esports investment, we were attracted to the content focus of the Wisdom Gaming Group business model and the experienced and successful team.”

AYO.NEWS says:

We couldn’t agree more with Zweigbaum and Hoffman – the opportunities in esports are almost unfathomably large, and this investment will certainly help Wisdom Gaming Group capitalise on them. Indeed, being immersed in the world of gaming and esports, sometimes it’s easy to forget how esports still isn’t’ even on the radar of so many brands. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Esports betting platform Unikrn has been fined $6.1m USD for an unregistered initial coin offering (ICO). 

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has hit the Seattle-based company with the hefty fine for the ICO of its UnikoinGold (UKG) token between June and September 2019, which is estimated to have raised around $31m. 

In its ruling, the SEC said:

“The order finds that Unikrn planned to use the offering proceeds to make more features available on the gaming platform and to develop additional applications for the UKG tokens.

“Unikrn promised investors that it would facilitate a secondary trading market for the tokens and that its efforts to increase the usages for the UKG token would increase demand for and in turn, the value of the tokens. 

“The order finds that Unikrn offered and sold UKG as investment contracts, which constituted securities, yet failed to register the offering or qualify for an exemption.”

However, SEC Commissioner, Hester M Peirce, emphasised that Unkrn had not engaged in any fraudulent activities, saying:

“While many SEC enforcement actions in this space include allegations of fraud, Unikrn falls within the narrower category of token issuers charged only with violating Section 5 of the Securities Act. 

“In other words, Unikrn is alleged to have offered and sold its tokens in an unregistered offering and in a manner that did not qualify for an exemption; it is not alleged to have engaged in any fraud in doing so.”

Peirce went on to add:

“I do not concur in my colleagues’ opinion that Unikrn’s token offering constituted a securities offering[…] I respectfully dissent from the Commission’s actions today relating to Unikrn.”

In a statement, Unikrn explained that fighting the decision and embroiling itself in costly litigation would be more damaging to its long-term goals than simple settling. 

So, in the best interests of current and future platform users along with investors, Unikrn has agreed to pay the fine, publish the ruling on its website, disable its UKG digital currency, and seek its removal from all trading platforms, but has not admitted or denied any wrongdoing. 

AYO.NEWS says:

This must be a bitter blow to Unikrn, which has earned a reputation as one of the straightest players in the esports betting scene, and had solid plans for its UKG token. 

Though there’s no doubt some ICOs targeted by the SEC were outright scams, it’s clear that others, like Unikrn, have simply been caught up in the ambiguity and confusion that the SEC itself helped foster. 

Staying with Unikrn, earlier this month the company’s CEO, Rahul Sood, was announced as an Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 Pacific Northwest Region Award finalist by Ernst & Young LLP. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Dutch esports organisation Team Liquid, in partnership with Dell Technologies, has opened its newest Alienware Training Facility in Utrecht (AWTF EU). 

Team Liquid was founded in Utrecht – a vibrant university city and booming tech hub – so the new facility is something of a monument to the organisation’s twenty-year history, including ten years partnered with Alienware, and provides a glimpse of a bright future. 

The 1060m2 AWTF EU is a state-of-the-art facility, designed from the ground up to provide a healthy and sustainable environment for esports training, performance, and overall wellness. It will serve as Team Liquid’s new European headquarters and regional capital for the organisation’s pro teams, talent, and staff. 

AWTF EU features include:

• World-class practice and scrim rooms to facilitate enhanced training
• Onsite athlete accommodations and gym allowing for rest and recovery
• State-of-the-art technology from Dell Technologies & Alienware enhancing the functionality of every room
• Custom Team Liquid art and branding
• 120-person viewing party zone
• Bullpen-style open office
• A full-time executive chef to provide nutritious dining offerings
• Sustainable construction by Venhoeven CS & AHH Architects, using bio-based and recycled materials, an efficient cooling installation system, and smart acoustic and light systems.
• It is also located one minute from Utrecht’s city centre and central train station, minimizing travel distances

Discussing the new facility, Co-CEO and Founder of Team Liquid, Victor Goossens, said:

“Opening the Alienware Training Facility in Utrecht is the culmination of incredible dedication and countless hours of work from our staff and our players. Team Liquid’s evolution – from a passion and community driven project to an international organization, supporting pro players at the peak of their careers the world over – has been an amazing ride. 

“Along the way, partners like Alienware have helped us to realize dreams we couldn’t even articulate in our earliest days. This facility is truly a testament to our shared values as an org: sustainability, care for our players and for esports as a whole, and elite performance in all that we do. The AWTF EU is a landmark for esports, and it means everything to have that landmark emerge from our founding city. I’m tremendously proud of everyone who helped make this dream a reality.”  

While Global Marketing Director at Dell Technologies, Bryan de Zayas, added:

“Our goal with the Alienware Training Facility was simple: provide Team Liquid with top-of-the-line technology so they can continue their winning legacy. This world-class facility is outfitted with the best Alienware hardware and end-to-end solutions from across the Dell Technologies portfolio. We congratulate Team Liquid staff and players on this amazing accomplishment, here’s to many more years of big plays and winning!”

AYO.NEWS says:

That’s certainly an impressive facility, but after 20-years of success we’d say Team Liquid deserves it – and opening it in their home city is a nice touch. Will it help Utrecht in its mission to become the ‘Esports Capital of Europe’ though? Who knows – it’s a coveted crown. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Online betting operator Betway is sponsoring the European, CIS, and Chinese editions of AMD SAPPHIRE OGA Dota PIT. 

The online tournament will see Europe and CIS compete in one tournament from 20-26 September, with a separate Chinese group playing from 29 September to 8 October. 

Organised by One Game Agency, the third edition of the OGA Dota PIT series will feature a combined prize pool of $295,000 USD. Teams including Alliance, OG, PSG.LGD, Royal Never Give Up, and Team Liquid, have already been confirmed. 

Discussing the partnership, CEO & Founder of One Game Agency, Ivan Marusic, said:

“OGA are proud to announce Betway as a partner of the OGA DOTA PIT Online Series. Featuring the world’s best DOTA 2 players, the competition is guaranteed to be fierce, and the opportunity for the community to find the best odds on the market having Betway as our event partner.”

While Head of Esports at Betway, Adam Savinson, added:

“We are delighted to partner with OGA Dota PIT for yet another world class DOTA 2 tournament.  They have a rich history of delivering some of the most exciting events of the year, and we are looking forward to joining their legacy.”

In addition to AMD, SAPPHIRE, and Betway, other partners of AMD SAPPHIRE Dota PIT include AOC Gaming, HyperX, Douyu, and TikTok. 

AYO.NEWS says:

It’s no surprise to see Betway supporting this tournament, as the bookmaker has a history of supporting both Dota 2 and CS:GO, and is one of the few traditional betting operators to truly embrace esports. Earlier this year the operator announced partnerships with BLAST, Beyond the Summit, and DreamHack. 

Staying with Betway, but in the traditional sports sphere, last week the operator expanded its Bundesliga presence, announcing a three-year deal with Hertha Berlin.

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Aston Martin has taken sim racing to a whole new level, with the launch of a £69,000 GBP driving simulator.

The prestigious British motor manufacturer teamed up with Curv Racing Simulators to create the AMR-C01 racing simulator, offering what it says is the “ultimate in luxury Esports experiences.” 

Designed by Aston Martin and engineered by Curv – which is led by Aston Martin works driver and simulator specialist, Darren Turner – the AMR-C01 features a full carbon fibre monocoque, and is said to provide a fully immersive driving experience for the home user.

Discussing the new simulator, Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, said:

“This was a challenge for the design team as, although the simulator isn’t a car, it is inspired by our racing cars. It needed to exude the same elegance, boasting the same dynamic lines and balance of proportions as any Aston Martin with a racing lineage. I can picture the AMR-C01 in the most beautiful of residences as a sculptural work of art in its own right.”

While Curv Racing Simulators’ Darren Turner added:

“The AMR-C01 is all about the love of racing. We’ve created a home simulator with incredible immersion that offers users the opportunity to have a great time racing in the virtual world, from the comfort of their own home. Our goal was to create a simulator that provided as much enjoyment in virtual reality as real racing does. Racing cars is a lot of fun and it is great to see that with the growth of Esports racing, more people are now getting involved.

“We modelled the driving position on the Aston Martin Valkyrie so users of AMR-C01 can get the full hypercar experience. I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to achieve, with design and engineering creating what I believe to be the most beautiful home simulator available.”

Just 150 examples of the AMR-C01, which starts at £57,500 plus tax, will be produced. First deliveries are expected to start in Q4 2020. 

AYO.NEWS says:

When iconic manufacturers like Aston Martin start making racing simulators priced at almost £70K (with tax), and supercar builders like Ferrari and Lamborghini are running their own sim racing series, it’s pretty obvious esports is really serious business!

Now, if Aston Martin wants a free review on AYO.NEWS, they are welcome to send me an AMR-C01 to test. 

Image courtesy of Aston Martin

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Danish esports organisation Astralis Group has merged all its activities and teams into a single brand. 

LEC team Origen, and FIFA roster Future FC have both joined the organisation’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team – one of the most successful of all time – under the Astralis brand. 

Explaining the move CEO of Astralis Group, Anders Hørsholt, said:

“Through the merger of all activities and our team brands, we position ourselves as a leading organization in international esports. 

“Already today, the red star is iconic in the esports scene and we have made the strategic decision to dedicate all resources to creating a truly global brand in esports and gaming. Digitally, physically and team wise, all our future activities will be done in the Astralis name and based upon the same values that characterize the organization.”

In addition to rebranding Origen and Future FC as Astralis, Origen founder Enrique “xPeke” Cedeño will also be leaving the team, though he will remain a shareholder in the Astralis Group. 

According to Hørsholt, the organisation will also be elevating everything around the teams, including the way it works with players and teams, the culture of the organisation, and what it offers both fans and other stakeholders. 

A NEW ERA BEGINS.

One brand. One Family.#ToTheStars pic.twitter.com/Ts5OWNi6OR

— Astralis (@Astralisgg) September 15, 2020

AYO.NEWS says:

This is an interesting move for Astralis, and could suggest that managing and trying to grow multiple brands was inefficient and clunky. Whatever the reasoning behind the move, there’s no doubting that the original Astralis brand is still strong, and the Origen and Future FC rosters shouldn’t find the rebranding too stressful. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020