Wisdom Gaming Group, the US-based digital media company specializing in esports content and experiences, announced that it has secured $3 million in Series A funding led by Excelsior Ventures Fund.
“The investment allows Wisdom Gaming Group to continue aggressively growing its esports marketing platform, digital content and gaming media network portfolio, which includes HeroesHearth, Alpine Esports and Giant Slayer,” the company said in a press release.
“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,” said Mike Zweigbaum, CEO of Wisdom Gaming Group. “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.”
Earlier in 2019, Wisdom Gaming Group acquired HeroesHearth, a social network for fans of Heroes of the Storm, a crossover multiplayer online battle arena video game. In 2020, the company acquired Alpine Esports, a Minneapolis-based professional esports organization specializing in competitive gaming for Rocket League, a family-friendly game best described as soccer with cars. Also, in 2020, Wisdom Gaming Group acquired Gold Rush, a premier community content and tournament brand.
“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,” said Michael Hoffman, Co-Founder of Excelsior Ventures Fund, who also serves on Wisdom Gaming Group’s board of directors. “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.”
Esports is a rapidly growing industry for competitive, organized video gaming. Gaming is a $139 billion-a-year industry, making it bigger than the NFL, MLB and NHL combined, according to Adweek.
“With over 500 million estimated enthusiasts and over $1 billion in annual revenue, it’s incredible to think that esports is growing faster than some professional sports leagues, music and movies, and expected to grow even further as a category and new channel for brands to connect directly with sought after, hard-to-reach audiences,” said TJ McLeod, Wisdom Gaming Group partner and President. “Our Series A funding will help us accelerate our vision of building the best esports platform for Gamers and esports enthusiasts.”
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