Videogame startup Nifty Games raises $38m capital to redefine mobile sports games

Videogame startup Nifty Games raises $38m capital to redefine mobile sports games

Published: 01-09-2021 13:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau | hits: 3440 | Tags:

Nifty Games, a videogame developer and publisher focused on quick-session, head-to-head sports games for mobile, raised $26 million in a Series B round of equity funding led by Vulcan Capital. In addition, the company has secured $12 million in connected debt financing.

Attracting investors globally, Nifty Games has raised over $50 million since the company was founded in 2018 by gaming industry veterans Jon Middleton and Pete Wanat.

Jon Middleton, CEO, Nifty Games: "With Nifty Games Series B, we've been fortunate to add further investments from partners that are true supporters with each believing in our team and the larger opportunity ahead. We've purpose-built Nifty Games to deliver a new slate of sports games for mobile gamers worldwide. We're proud of the team we've assembled, our incredible partnerships with the NFL, NFLPA, NBA, and the NBPA, as well as our family of financial backers committed to seeing Nifty Games win big. We're excited to grow Nifty Games as NFL Clash and NBA Clash lead the way!"

The Company's Series B round is led by current backers Vulcan Capital, and supported by ongoing investors March Gaming, Defy Partners and Courtside Ventures, as well as a strategic group of new investors, including Korea-based funds Woori Capital, K-NET and Yes24. Other new investors include Steve Pagliuca, managing owner of the Boston Celtics, Speedwagon Capital, Brighton Jones, and Gaingels, a global network of LGBT/Ally investors. With this additional funding, Nifty Games is now one of the industry's most well-funded mobile gaming startups.

YB Choi, Partner, Vulcan Capital: "We see an incredible commercial opportunity in bringing premium sports games to casual mobile game fans, in which they get to build a roster with favorite pro players and call the shots as their team competes all season long. Given our early involvement with Nifty Games, we're excited to step up our support as they head towards making their first games, NFL Clash and NBA Clash, available to sports fans worldwide."

Nifty Games is focused on delivering quick-session competitive mobile games with licenses from the National Football League (NFL), National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), National Basketball Association (NBA), and National Basketball Player Association (NBPA). Nifty Games aims to build out a slate of titles with the world's largest sports licenses to deliver gameplay tailored for mobile first. The company's premier game NFL Clash, already available in select markets worldwide, launches in the United States this year. The latest round of funding will be used to further grow the Company's sports games line-up as well as investing in top-tier development staff to deliver state-of-the-art gameplay for global sports fans.

Stephen Pagliuca, Co-owner, Boston Celtics and Co-chair, Bain Capital: "Nifty Games sits at the exciting intersection of sports fandoms, mobile gaming, and IP-driven business models. I've been impressed with the team's vision and execution to date, and believe their approach will redefine the mobile sports game sector. And as a fan myself, can't wait to play their games and see them top the charts!"

www.niftygamesinc.com