- MLG co-founders Mike Sepso and Sundance DiGiovanni have launched a new e-sports infrastructure platform called Vindex along with Bryan Binder and Jason Garmise.
MLG co-founders Mike Sepso (co-founder of Major League Gaming) and Sundance DiGiovanni launched a new venture in the form of an e-sports infrastructure platform company called Vindex. Vindex was also co-founded by Bryan Binder and Jason Garmise. And the company has launched with $60 million in funding in tow.
Vindex also announced it acquired Next Generation Esports (NGE) and launched Columbus, OH-based Esports Engine — which are companies that specialize in esports operations, production, and technology.
Esports Engine — which was co-founded by industry veteran Adam Apicella — had established itself as a trusted partner to publishers and esports teams. Based in Burbank, California, NGE played a key role in some of the biggest and most-watched broadcasts in e-sports history.
Through these acquisitions, Vindex is immediately the largest pure-play esports infrastructure platform — which is profitable and well-capitalized for growth. And the company will utilize its expertise of its more than 100 employees and proprietary broadcast technology and competition management software to equip partners with the industry-leading services and technology needed for scaling to an increasingly mainstream global audience.
The company has a broad mandate to build and acquire the key business and consumer infrastructure that will help drive the rapidly growing esports industry to its full potential.
Vindex’s investor base, the board of directors, and management team provide access to growth capital and strategic acquisitions for further unifying the fragmented landscape.
E-sports is considered a major commercial opportunity as it is growing at over 35% annually, according to Goldman Sachs. And e-sports revenues are expected to hit $3 billion by 2022.
“Esports has been a vibrant growth story for nearly two decades, and I have been honored to be a part of it, but we’re just getting started. More than ever, esports is driving growth and engagement for the entire games industry,” said Sepso. “We’re here to make those experiences easier to deliver, more scalable, and deeply engaging and rewarding for fans.”
Sepso had co-founded Major League Gaming in 2002 (acquired by Activision Blizzard in 2015). And then at Activision Blizzard, Sepso helped build out the e-sports operations.
Vindex is supported by an industry-leading board of directors such as sports broadcast veteran and former ESPN and NFL Network CEO Steve Bornstein. Gotham Asset Management founder and investor Joel Greenblatt is also on the board.
“I haven’t been so excited for a new opportunity since my time as CEO of ESPN. I see the same level of enthusiasm and talent in Vindex,” added Bornstein. “The team has delivered the biggest wins in esports to date and has a clear vision for driving the next wave of the industry’s growth. I’m excited to help unlock the global potential of the esports market.”
The $60 million Series A funding round is backed by a group of notable investors across hedge funds and private equity firms.
“Vindex represents a unique opportunity to partner with a world-class management team, including the most highly regarded esports innovators. The company is building an industry-leading platform designed to help facilitate the explosive growth of esports,” explained Greenblatt.
