The new fund will also expand its focus to "playable apps", consumer applications that incorporate gaming mechanics to create interactive user experiences. The firm anticipates deploying the fund across 20 to 25 companies globally, focusing on early-stage investments from pre-seed to Series A. Play Ventures was founded in 2018 and has offices in Singapore and Helsinki. The firm raised $30 million for its first fund in 2018 and $135 million for its second fund in 2021.
Key takeaways:
- Play Ventures, a global venture capital firm specializing in early-stage gaming, has raised $140 million for its third gaming fund, bringing its total assets under management to $450 million.
- The fund’s close was driven by strong support from a core group of returning investors, including university endowments, strategic partners in the gaming sector, and prominent global family offices as well as new investors.
- Fund III will focus on investing in early-stage companies across the gaming ecosystem, with a focus on mobile free-to-play, mobile consumer, gaming infrastructure and platforms, AI-enhanced gaming tools, and next-generation distribution channels.
- Play Ventures anticipates deploying Fund III across 20 to 25 companies globally, focusing on early-stage investments from pre-seed to Series A, while reserving capital to support the highest-performing portfolio companies as they grow.