eSports
Raven Raises $1.4 Million in Seed Funding Round
Raven, the global esports apparel brand, announces that it has closed a $1.4M seed round with a US-based private equity fund.
Raven’s immediate focus is to rapidly increase its global market share and drive product innovation to help shape the future of apparel within esports. The capital raised will enable Raven to develop its unique service offering across product design, manufacturing, marketing and logistics for both the professional and grassroot esports markets. Raven will also look to expand its team which includes hiring across Europe and North America, while developing new technologies to supplement consumer buying experiences.
Sam Wells, CEO of Raven said, “We have an ambitious strategy for the future of Raven and the capital raised provides us with the platform to execute our vision through the continued development of performance-based products that cater to the needs of professional gamers, communities and grassroots-based programmes. We are tremendously proud to have grown within the esports ecosystem and with a board that has numerous years of experience in the industry we are in a great position to fulfil our goals.”
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eSports
Razer Enters into Multiyear Deal with VALORANT Esports EMEA
Razer has entered into a multiyear deal to become the Official Gaming Chair Partner for VCT EMEA and Game Changers EMEA.
For the 2026 and 2027 seasons, Razer’s Iskur V2 gaming chair will be used by all teams on stage and in the coach and co-streaming rooms backstage. Designed with advanced ergonomic features for extended gaming sessions, the Iskur V2 provides support and comfort, during long, high-pressure games, helping players stay focused. In a game like VALORANT, precision, speed and consistency can decide the outcome.
Razer’s flagship gaming chairs are known for their ergonomic design, featuring adaptive lumbar support system that dynamically adjusts to every movement, helping players maintain proper posture through every high-stakes moment during the season.
Razer has consistently developed gear trusted by both professional and aspiring players and now, their equipment has earned the trust of others in the VALORANT scene. Recently, VCT EMEA’s Karmine Corp also announced Razer as their Official Partner including Gaming Chairs for the upcoming year – further proof of Razer’s commitment to elevating the competitive experience.
The post Razer Enters into Multiyear Deal with VALORANT Esports EMEA appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
ALGS 2026 Championship
S8UL Esports secures historic top five finish at ALGS 2026 Championship; bags INR 1 crore in prize money
S8UL Esports, a global powerhouse in esports and gaming content, delivered a landmark performance by finishing among the top five teams globally at the Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) 2026 Championship, held in Sapporo, Japan from January 15 to 18. This result represents the best ever finish by an Indian organization on the Apex Legends global stage, setting a new benchmark for Indian esports at the highest level of international competition.
The ALGS 2026 Championship, the crowning event of the Apex Legends competitive calendar, brought together 40 of the world’s most consistent and high-performing teams from the year-long global circuit. S8UL’s all-Australian roster featuring Rick Wirth (Sharky), Benjamin Spaseski (Jesko), and Tom Canty (Legacy), led by head coach Harrison Rogers (Rogers), delivered a standout campaign and emerged as the only South Asian team to secure a Top 5 finish at the premier international Apex Legends event. The team earned USD 120,000 (approximately INR 1 crore) from the tournament’s USD 2,000,000 (approximately INR 18.14 crore) total prize pool.
Commenting on the achievement, Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO, S8UL, said, “Over the years, we have built one of India’s strongest gaming creator ecosystems and a solid foundation in content. In the last 18 months, we have deliberately expanded our focus to global esports investments across multiple titles, and performances like this validate that vision. Our ambition is to compete and win at the highest level worldwide. We are investing deeply, assembling world-class international rosters, and representing S8UL on the global stage from India. A top five finish at ALGS is a major milestone, and it marks only the beginning of what we believe will be a very strong future for S8UL in esports.”
S8UL began their campaign in Group B, navigating a demanding round-robin stage where all 40 teams were divided into four groups of 10. The team’s consistent performances saw them finish among the top 20 teams, earning a spot in the Winners Bracket and keeping them firmly in title contention.
From there, S8UL qualified for the Grand Finals, where the remaining 20 teams competed under the high-pressure Match Point Format. Under this system, a team must reach 50 points and then secure a match win to claim the championship, with the remaining teams ranked by total points. Across nine final matches, S8UL accumulated 64 points to finish fifth overall, just one point behind fourth-placed GROW Gaming, underlining how closely contested the championship was.
“The margins at this level are extremely fine, and the team showed tremendous composure throughout the tournament. From the group stage through to the finals, the players displayed adaptability, trust, and resilience. Finishing in the top five globally is a major milestone, and it reinforces our confidence in this roster’s ability to contend for championships in the future,” commented Harrison Rogers, coach of S8UL’s Apex Legends team.
S8UL’s performance at the ALGS 2026 Championship builds on the organisation’s growing presence in international Apex Legends competition. In 2025, S8UL competed at the ALGS Midseason Playoffs as part of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, where the organisation also became the first Indian team to be selected as a Club Partner for the tournament. With consecutive appearances at Apex Legends’ premier global events, S8UL continues to establish itself as a consistent contender on the world stage and a flagbearer for Indian esports internationally.
The post S8UL Esports secures historic top five finish at ALGS 2026 Championship; bags INR 1 crore in prize money appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
1000 Dreams Fund
Riot Games and 1000 Dreams Fund Expand Talent Pipeline in Esports Broadcasting, Accepting Two New Cadets to their Specialized 2026 Program
1000 Dreams Fund (1DF), a nonprofit that empowers talented women and students in need with scholarships, mentorship and other critical resources to help them reach their dream careers, has announced that two new cadets have been selected to its 2026 Riot Games Esports Broadcasting Cadetship at Riot Games’ Remote Broadcast Center (RBC) powered by AWS in Seattle.
The cadets selected for the three-month, paid cadetship position are:
• Marissa M. – Indiana University Bloomington
• Kevin D. – University of North Florida
The cadetship program runs in partnership with Riot Games—a leading video game developer, publisher and esports tournament organizer—and their global partner, AWS. Together with 1DF, the partners are committed to expanding access and creating pathways for individuals aspiring toward a career in esports broadcasting and production.
“We’re excited to host the Esports Broadcasting Cadetship in our Seattle Remote Broadcast Center for the first time. This facility has revolutionized how we produce esports at scale, and the Esports Broadcasting Cadetship brings that innovation to life by connecting emerging talent directly to the future of the industry. Through our partnership with 1000 Dreams Fund, we’re not only investing in today’s talent but also building a pipeline of leaders equipped to shape what comes next in global esports production,” said Allyson Gormley, Global Operations Director, Esports Broadcast & Production for Riot Games.
As Gen Z and early-career professionals increasingly rethink traditional career tracks, demand continues to grow for hands-on, skills-driven roles that offer clear pathways into competitive industries. In response, innovative workforce programs are materializing to bridge the gap between aspiration and opportunity, prioritizing real-world experience over linear career models.
The Riot Games Esports Broadcasting Cadetship exemplifies this new model of workforce development in emerging fields. Launched in 2023 as part of 1000 Dreams Fund’s broader commitment to workforce access and equity, the program was built to meet this moment — long before non-traditional career pathways became a mainstream conversation. By placing early-career students inside a global esports operation, the Cadetship provides a proven pathway, offering the training, mentorship and live production experience needed to launch careers in esports broadcasting.
“This year marks 10 years of 1000 Dreams Fund building programs that create real access to opportunity for students and early-career talent. The Riot Games Esports Broadcasting Cadetship reflects the kind of long-term, impact-driven work we’ve been committed to since day one, and in a time of deep transition in the workforce, these programs are more important than ever. We’re proud to continue expanding pathways, especially within emerging industries, that help students turn ambition into lasting careers,” said Christie Garton, founder and CEO of 1000 Dreams Fund.
For the selected cadets, this investment creates immediate momentum and removes common barriers to entry while positioning participants for long-term growth in a highly competitive field.
The post Riot Games and 1000 Dreams Fund Expand Talent Pipeline in Esports Broadcasting, Accepting Two New Cadets to their Specialized 2026 Program appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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