MTG’s gaming portfolio now stands at 11 companies

MTG has invested in 11 US and European gaming and interactive entertainment startups since launching its US$30 million gaming investment fund last November.

Jørgen Madsen Lindemann

The company’s portfolio includes content, tools and live experiences spanning online gaming, eSports and virtual reality, with MTG now claiming to be one of the most active investors in the gaming sector.

“The gaming ecosystem is made up of many platforms, titles, publishers, leagues, teams, influencers and tech, and MTG is assembling the most promising players in this sector under one roof,” said MTG’s head of games and eSports, Arnd Benninghoff.

“Our portfolio of international companies strikes a healthy balance between established and high-potential companies that are turning their passion into successful business.”

MTG’s investment portfolio includes two investment companies: early-stage eSports investor BITKRAFT Esports Ventures; and a VC fund that invests in games and game services, called Play Ventures.

On the platform front it has invested in Playfull, an ad platform that connects advertisers and gamers; AppOnboard, a demo platform that lets mobile users experience apps without needing to download them first; and Boom, a livestream gaming platform that connects influencers and communities.

In the VR space, MTG has invested in Nomadic, a US-based firm that offers location-based virtual reality experiences, while in the gaming market it has invested in Pheonix Labs, a studio that creates original multiplayer titles like Dauntless.

Additionally, MTG has made smaller investments in companies like: eSports learning app Blitz; voice-controlled games company Volley; live streaming solution Mobcrush; and Runtime, a performance nutrition firm targeted partly at the gaming space.

“MTG has proven to be an attractive partner for young companies that recognise our values-driven entrepreneurial culture,” said MTG president and CEO, Jørgen Madsen Lindemann.

“With a rich history in multi-platform storytelling – and having operated a robust media business that has consistently outpaced the industry – we offer entrepreneurs a meaningful partnership and synergy benefits.”

MTG launched its dedicated gaming fund last November with a plan to invest in five to 10 companies annually over three years.

“Investments will be made in an early stage in companies that bring strategic value to MTG in the areas of online gaming, eSports and gaming-focused virtual and augmented reality,” said MTG in a statement at the time.