eSports
DUST Identity Announces $40M Series B and Partnership with Oxygen Esports
DUST Identity Inc., whose technology enables product authentication by linking physical items to their digital records, announced the launch of its mobile solution, which is fueling its growth into new industries. Initially designed for high-security applications, the company is now expanding its offerings to include the authentication of luxury goods, artwork, game-used apparel and memorabilia, and other one-of-a-kind items. This expansion comes as DUST signs a partnership with Oxygen Esports and raises $40M in Series B funding.
DUST Identityās new product line for mobile is an on-demand solution that reinforces authenticity for any physical object of value by enhancing the traceability and visibility of the objectās origin. Oxygen Esports, one of North Americaās largest multi-title esports organizations, will leverage this new solution through a recently signed partnership agreement with DUST. This partnership comes as DUST sees keen interest from the sports and entertainment space. It also signals DUSTās growing commitment to enabling organizations to build meaningful and long-lasting relationships with fans through the activation of authentic, game-used merchandise.
āThe merchandise we sell reinforces our brand reputation and DUSTās solution is helping us protect our brand, athletes, and fans from counterfeit memorabilia. Weāre looking forward to working with DUST to unlock rich omnichannel experiences for fans, as we leverage their technology,ā Dani Marks, CMO at OXG, said.
The partnership with Oxygen Esports and launch of the companyās mobile solution follows a $40 million Series B round led by Castle Island Ventures, with participation from Amex Ventures, Kleiner Perkins, Airbus Ventures, 8VC, and others.
For new investor Amex Ventures, this round signifies an opportunity to invest in an innovative solution that can help brands enhance trust with their customers and unlock new growth opportunities.
āWe all interact with many physical items daily, but largely have no proof of these itemsā origin. By linking a physical item to its digital record, DUSTās technology provides new capabilities to track and trace an item across its lifecycle. In doing so, DUST helps unlock new customer engagement opportunities and loyalty concepts for brands across a wide range of industries,ā Margaret Lim, Managing Director of Amex Ventures, said.
Ophir Gaathon, CEO and Co-Founder of DUST Identity, said: āPeople want to trust that the products they are spending their time and money on are genuine, and the foundation of that trust comes from being able to validate an itemās authenticity. Our technology provides that validation. DUST Identity has broadened its mission of protecting and connecting everything that matters by introducing our new mobile solution. Weāre excited to utilize our funding to deliver on this mission as we bring our technology to many new industries.ā
Compliance Updates
PandaScore secures their first US betting license, by entering Colorado
After a meticulous and measured research process in consultation with the needs of its clients, PandaScore has acquired a license to operate in the US state of Colorado.
Through the license, PandaScore has signalled its intentions in the US market: forging a supplier-led path to esports betting success in the US. Existing PandaScore clients can now enter the Colorado market, scale up their esports offering and build their future audience in the stateās esports-friendly regulatory framework.
Future clients can also be confident that working with PandaScore supports their growth strategy in the lucrative US market. The stateās esports-friendly regulatory framework serves as a solid foundation to cultivate an esports audience and take advantage of PandaScoreās innovative, revenue-driving products such as BetBuilder, player props and microbetting.
PandaScore selected Colorado as its first point of entry into US licensing thanks to the stateās large catalogue of esports titles and competitions that are eligible for regular betting, and the wide range of markets that can be offered. Additionally, the stateās flexible and innovation-friendly licensing regime makes it a strong market for PandaScore and its clients.
Securing the license also serves as proof of concept for the French esports supplier, PandaScore Legal Counsel Alexis Brunet noted that āsecuring the Colorado license is a strong signal of our intentions in the US and are serious about its potential. Esports in the United States is a fast-evolving regulatory environment, but itās only going in one direction: expansion. We intend to provide our best-in-class products and services to our customers no matter where they are, and service one of the largest markets in the world.ā
For PandaScore CEO Flavien Guillocheau, entry into Colorado in the US market was the natural next step in the companyās client-first, service-oriented approach: āFor esports to succeed in the US, suppliers must lead from the front. Suppliers need to address the uncertainty around regulation which has held back operator investment and thus growth of the vertical.
āWeāve proven we know the market, get a license efficiently and do it in a way that puts operators first. Weāre confident that if our clients are seeking entry into a given market, we can be completely straight with them, show them the viable pathway to success, and create the foundation and access they need to fully harness the potential of esports in one of its biggest consumer markets.ā
eSports
the*gamehers and Thunderpick Extend Partnership into 2025
Leading esports brand kick off a year of empowering women gamers, exclusive content, and tournaments
the*gamehers, the women-focused community gaming platform, andĀ Thunderpick, the leading online esportsĀ bettingĀ platform and host of Thunderpick World Championship today announced the continuation of their partnership into 2025. The collaboration aims to empower the gaming community, specifically focusing on women andĀ femme-identifying gamers and content creators, through an immersive 12-month campaign.
The campaign will feature a content series highlighting women in gaming through brand features, ambassador Twitch streams, exclusive ambassador content, and a biannual tournament that includes behind-the-scenes footage from the ambassador team. Thunderpick and the*gamehers recently hosted theĀ successful femme-focused CS2 Wildcard TournamentĀ in May of this year inĀ Atlanta. More exciting details will be unveiled as the partnership develops.
“This partnership is the perfect way to promote women’s empowerment in esports and the overall gaming community, and we are excited to have the opportunity to partner with a company that has similar goals for women’s inclusion in gaming,” saidĀ Allie Young, President of the*gamehers.
“Thunderpick is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within the esports community,” saidĀ Kelly Sanders, Head of Strategy at Thunderpick. “Our extended partnership with the*gamehers underscores our dedication to empowering women gamers and supporting femme-led esports organizations. We believe that in collaboration with the*gamehers we can not only betterĀ highlight the incredible talent of women in gaming but also inspire the next generation of gamers to pursue their passions without boundaries.”
eSports
HAWKS TALON GC HOSTS PANEL, NBA 2K TOURNAMENT AT WADE WALKER PARK FAMILY YMCA ESPORTS SUMMER CAMP
Hawks Talon GC, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, hosted a panel and bracket style tournament on Wednesday at the Wade Walker Park Family YMCA as part of the YMCA of Metro Atlantaās Esports summer camp.
Director of Marketing and Operations, Affiliate Leagues, Wesley Acuff, Hawks Talon GC Head Coach, Ismael āMAELOā Diaz Tolentino, and Hawks Talon GC players Mark David āMDSā Smith, Ludlow āLOWā Samuels and Elijah āUnderratedgoatā Spears spoke to 26 camp participants about their journey to the NBA 2K League, and the uniqueness and innerworkings of the League.
āBeing able to work with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta and help with their Esports camp was extremely rewarding for our group to be a part of,ā said Janice Koon, Vice President of G League, and NBA 2K League Operations for the Atlanta Hawks. āOur Hawks Talon Gaming Club always relish the opportunity to be able to interact with the young kids in our area, and it was a joy for them to talk to and play 2K with the campers this morning.ā
After the panel, the group of campers split up into 13 teams to face off head-to-head in a NBA 2K 2v2, single elimination bracket tournament.
In addition to the tournament, the campers were able to utilize another PlayStation within the Wade Walker Family YMCA Esports lab and jump into a 2K game with the official NBA 2K League settings, while utilizing Hawks Talon GC player avatars. The campers were able to play by the official NBA 2K League rules and game settings to experience the authentic feel of being a professional NBA 2K player.
At the end of the tournament, the first, second, and third place teams received Hawks Talon Gaming Club t-shirts and sweatshirts, while all campers will be gifted an official Hawks Talon Gaming Club jersey with the YMCA patch.
āOur Y Esports summer camps help children build self-confidence, practice sportsmanship and gain news skills, while connecting with other gamers,ā said Lorna Loh, executive director of the Wade Walker Park Family YMCA. āWe greatly appreciate Hawks Talon GCās partnership and commitment to providing our Y kids with an informative, fun panel about the league and interactive opportunities to improve their skills.ā
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