Connect with us

Latest News

Sorare raises a €40m Series A from Benchmark and Accel Partners to help fans own their football passion online

Published

on

Reading Time: 4 minutes

 

Sorare, the digital collectible football platform, announces that it has received €40 million in Series A financing, led by Benchmark, with additional funding from Accel and new business angels. The angels include Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, Vaynermedia CEO Gary Vaynerchuk, football players Antoine Griezmann and Rio Ferdinand. The financing brings Sorare’s total funding to €48 million. The capital will be used to fuel the growth of the community, accelerate the hiring of a world-class team and launch a mobile application.

Fantastically real collectibles

Football is a common denominator for more than 4 billion people globally but today, fans feel further away from the game they love than ever before. As we spend more time online, the need for connection has significantly shifted to digital experiences. Sports card collectibles have long helped fans celebrate their love of the game, and now they can experience a whole new world online. Sorare is leading the new era of online football fandom, where fans can live football moments and true connections like never before.

The company’s mission is to build “the game within the game” and to give fans the platform to celebrate, share and own their football passion. Through tradable digital cards, Sorare is designing a collective fantasy football experience where you can manage your favorite players and hone your passion to earn prizes. Anyone, anywhere, can connect with the beautiful game on Sorare.

Growing across the globe

The company, which is already profitable, has experienced an explosive 52% month-on-month growth over the past 12 months, going from €50K worth of cards traded on the platform in January 2020 to €3.5M in January 2021 across 120 countries.

More than 120 football clubs have launched their digital cards on Sorare, with all European Champions actively participating in the growth of the game. Partnerships with Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Juventus make Sorare the first digital collectible platform to offer cards from Europe’s top five league champions. The company’s ambition is to onboard the top 20 football leagues globally. This next-generation gaming experience allows leagues and clubs to expand their international brand by reaching an untapped audience of fans. Sorare is effectively opening up a new traceable and sustainable revenue stream for them.

Crypto’s next consumer application

Sorare collectibles are backed by blockchain technology to provide transparency and portability into other games. More importantly, the blockchain Ethereum enables the act of collecting in the digital space by creating digital scarcity through “non-fungible tokens” (NFT). It secures the passion of fans and creates a new level of trust and freedom for gamers who can freely trade their assets over the internet.

Sorare joins the ranks of culturally impactful companies and innovative brands in the Benchmark and Accel portfolio, including Twitter, Snap, Instagram and Spotify.

Nicolas Julia, CEO at Sorare explained: “Sorare was born from our love for football. We’re building a gaming experience fueled by passion where fans can connect with football and a global community. On Sorare, they can truly own the game. Today is a watershed moment – both for Sorare as a company and for our community – that will enable us to touch new markets and radically improve our product to become the game within the beautiful game.”

Peter Fenton, General Partner at Benchmark commented: “We’re thrilled to partner with Sorare as their lead Series A investor. The company combines the global passion for football collectibles with the excitement of real-world play in fantasy league tournaments. The founders early work in blockchain technology gave them the unique insight into a killer application for a new NFT – real players in real games creating enduring value for a digital artifact. Their explosive growth codifies the utility of these technologies in everyday life.”

Andrei Brasoveanu, Partner at Accel added: “Sitting at the intersection of fantasy football and sports collectibles, Sorare is revolutionizing the way fans across the world engage with and enjoy sports. In just a year, Sorare has built an incredible viral community and secured partnerships with more than 130 football clubs, including five European Champions. This impressive growth is a testament to the ambition and determination of Nicolas, Adrien and the entire Sorare team. We’re excited to join Sorare on the next stage of their journey and help build the leading digital sports collectibles platform worldwide!”

Christian Miele, Partner at e.ventures, commented: “We have been impressed by Nicolas’ and Adrien’s vision from day one. For the first time in human history a digital collectible holds a utility and can be used in a wide field of applications to attract soccer fanatics, collectors, and investors alike. This is why Sorare is best positioned to create one of the largest next-generation entertainment companies in the world.”

Gerard Piqué, Strategic Advisor at Sorare, explained: “As world football has shifted from local supporters to global fanbases, football fans are looking for new ways to be connected to the game, the players and other fans. Nicolas and the team have a unique gaming experience with real-world impact, bringing fantasy to reality. I’m looking forward to helping the team and the Sorare community connect with more football clubs and leagues.”

Sia Houchangnia, Partner at Seedcamp, concluded: “Sorare is a truly category-defining company and has the potential to become one of the biggest consumer tech success stories out of Europe. In less than 2 years since our pre-seed investment, the Sorare team has built from scratch a complex economy within an incredibly compelling game. Most importantly, Sorare can count on one of the most vibrant communities of early adopters we’ve ever seen. The growth has been astonishing and there’s an entire ecosystem of games and content being built around Sorare’s football cards. This is one of the most exciting businesses we’ve had the chance to work with and we are incredibly excited to have Benchmark and Accel joining the journey.”

Powered by WPeMatico

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Latest News

Behind the Game Anatomy of a Strong Brand

Published

on

At iGaming, dozens of solutions are behind the high conversion, retention, and LTV rates of the product: from UX and payment infrastructure to personalisation and constant hypothesis testing.

Behind the Game is a series of expert materials where N1 Partners team explains how successful iGaming products work from the inside.

In this issue, N1 Partners’ Product Line Manager will tell you how to identify a promising brand at the start, what distinguishes a strong product from an average one, and how to choose offers with maximum potential.

What distinguishes a strong iGaming product from dozens of similar offers in the market today?

Today, many products are focused on the rapid monetisation of the player. A strong product has a different approach: it is built around long-term value, player loyalty, and audience retention. 

Personalisation, usability, and the ability of a product to adapt to the interests of a particular user play a key role. 

Modern analytics and AI tools allow you to predict user behaviour more accurately, offer relevant mechanics, and create a more personalised gaming experience.

UX is equally important. In Tier-1 GEOs, even minor inconveniences can cost a player. If the user has to perform unnecessary actions or encounter an inconvenient interface, the probability that he’ll leave increases significantly.

What early signs show that a product has the potential to become a strong brand?

From the product’s point of view, two metrics are crucial: conversion and retention.

If a product consistently shows good player engagement rates and at the same time keeps the audience at or above market benchmarks, this is a strong signal of its potential.

An additional indicator is the team’s ability to regularly test new hypotheses and implement mechanics that expand the possibilities of interaction with the audience.

Practical criteria are also important for partners: the availability of in-demand payment methods for a specific GEO, high-quality localisation, a strong game library and a convenient user path.

A separate recommendation for affiliate teams is to independently walk the player’s path before launching traffic. This allows you to quickly identify the strengths and weaknesses of the product before scaling.

What is more important for long-term growth: constantly attracting new players or working with the existing base?

One cannot exist without the other.

Attracting new players remains a prerequisite for growth, but without strong retention and working with a loyal base, the product will not be able to show stable results over the long run. That is why the N1 Partners products have a high retention and players’ LTV, those are really crucial metrics to pay attention to.

A high churn leads to a situation where the operator constantly compensates for losses due to new traffic. This model becomes unprofitable both for the product itself and for partners working on RevShare.

That’s why long-term growth is built around retaining players and building a loyal audience that keeps coming back to the product.

What mistakes do new casino projects most often make in the early years of their work?

Many new projects begin to actively increase traffic even before they are convinced of the product effectiveness on test volumes.

Before opening large amounts of traffic, it is important to make sure that all key processes are working correctly: funnels, retention mechanics, payment infrastructure and user path.

Many problems arise due to flaws from the product’s side itself. Errors in payments, incorrect localisation, problems with the availability of functions or an inconvenient interface quickly affect conversion and retention.

For the player, such shortcomings become the reason for leaving even before he has time to get acquainted with the product.

How do you know that a player is returning because of the product itself and not just bonuses or individual games?

One of the key factors is emotional attachment to the product and the level of personalisation.

Bonuses can attract attention, but long-term loyalty is shaped by familiar mechanics, individualised interaction and high-quality communication with the user. This is especially noticeable in the VIP segment, where personal support, attention to the player and long-term relationships are of great importance.

A strong product is always based on treating players as people, not as a set of numbers in reports.

What metrics best show that a product will be successful at a distance?

Among the main indicators:

  • repeated deposits;
  • deposit funnel depth;
  • Retention Rate;
  • Churn Rate;
  • technical stability of the product;
  • key scenarios’ speed.

Special attention is paid to the transitions between deposits and the product’s ability to return players a week, a month or more after the first deposit.

How are the expectations of the players changing in 2026, and what is already considered a mandatory brand standard today?

A mandatory standard is perfect GEO localization, the most user-friendly interface, as well as brand reputation.

Another underestimated factor is the brand’s reputation. Products need to actively work with ORM (Online Reputation Management): monitor the brand’s reputation on feedback (for example, Trustpilot) and third-party sites and respond to comments and questions from players, forming loyalty. 

N1 Partners pays special attention to this: the company systematically works with feedback from partners and players, maintaining the brand’s reputation on thematic websites.

What helps N1 Partners products stay competitive in Tier-1 GEOs?

Constant testing of new mechanics and flexibility in product development remains one of the factors.

N1 Partners team adheres to an approach in which new solutions are first tested under controlled conditions and only implemented on a larger scale after effectiveness confirmation.

Among the mechanics that have shown a good effect are Lucky Spin/LuckyBox, Puzzle Hunt and a number of other gamification solutions aimed at increasing player engagement and retention.

Deep audience segmentation and the development of specialised retention areas for different groups of players also play an important role.

If you had to choose a product for RevShare, which indicators would you look at first?

First of all, it is worth paying attention to:

  • player retention;
  • user path quality;
  • the presence of errors and technical problems;
  • payment infrastructure;
  • the range of games;
  • indicators of repeated deposits.

In the RevShare model, the key is how long a player remains active and how often they return to deposits.

What do partners most often underestimate when choosing a product to drive traffic?

Partners often start scaling a new product too early.

Even with a strong offer and good terms of cooperation, it is crucial to first check the actual performance of the product and only then proceed to scaling.

Another underestimated factor is the brand’s reputation. Before driving traffic to an offer, it is important to check player reviews, ratings on relevant sites, and the general perception of the product on the market.

If you had to launch a new brand from scratch today, which three things would you focus on first?

First of all, attention should be paid to three fundamental elements:

  • a strong payment infrastructure for chosen GEO;
  • a high-quality set of gaming providers and content;
  • technical stability of the product and an optimized user path.

Even minor problems with download speed, payments, or registration can significantly reduce conversion and affect the further growth of the product.

The effectiveness of all subsequent marketing and product initiatives directly depends on the quality of these components.

To summarise, a strong iGaming product begins where the pursuit of short-term results ends. Attention to user experience, audience retention, localisation, and continuous product improvements allows brands to grow from a distance and turn the attracted traffic into long-term value.

If you are looking for brands with high LTV and Reg2Dep, join N1 Partners, a multi-brand affiliate program with 14+ casinos and betting brands in Tier-1 GEO with payouts up to €700 CPA and RevShare up to 55%.

Be number one with N1!

Continue Reading

Casino Content

PopOK Gaming secures Argentina certification to supply iGaming content

Published

on

popok-gaming-secures-argentina-certification-to-supply-igaming-content

Approval clears the supplier to distribute certified slots and instant games to licensed operators in Argentina.

PopOK Gaming has obtained certification for the Argentinian market, allowing the supplier to offer its certified gaming content to licensed operators in Argentina.

The company said the approval enables it to provide a portfolio of certified content in the country, positioning it to support local operators with slots and instant games that meet regulatory and technical requirements.

PopOK Gaming framed the certification as part of its broader push into regulated jurisdictions, with a focus on compliance and product standards. The company did not disclose which certifying body issued the approval, the scope of the certification, or a timeline for operator launches.

Argentina has become a key Latin American iGaming market, with regulation and licensing typically handled at the provincial level. PopOK Gaming said it expects further expansion initiatives as it continues to invest in regulatory compliance and international growth.

The post PopOK Gaming secures Argentina certification to supply iGaming content appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Argentinian market

PopOK Gaming Strengthens Latin American Expansion with Argentina Certification

Published

on

popok-gaming-strengthens-latin-american-expansion-with-argentina-certification

PopOK Gaming has announced that it has successfully obtained certification for the Argentinian market, marking another milestone in the company’s continued expansion across regulated gaming jurisdictions.

The certification enables PopOK Gaming to provide its portfolio of certified gaming content to licensed operators in Argentina, reinforcing its commitment to delivering compliant, high-quality entertainment in regulated markets worldwide.

Argentina continues to emerge as one of Latin America’s most dynamic iGaming regions, with a growing demand for innovative and engaging casino content. By meeting the market’s regulatory and technical requirements, PopOK Gaming is well-positioned to support operators with a diverse selection of slot and instant games designed to appeal to a broad player audience.

The latest certification reflects the company’s long-term strategy of expanding its international footprint while maintaining high standards of compliance, product quality, and responsible growth. As regulated markets continue to shape the future of the iGaming industry, certifications remain a key component of sustainable market development and operator confidence.

With an expanding portfolio featuring immersive gameplay, engaging mechanics, and modern game design, PopOK Gaming continues to strengthen its position as a trusted content provider for regulated operators around the world.

The Argentina certification follows the company’s ongoing efforts to broaden its presence in strategic markets, with further expansion initiatives expected as PopOK Gaming continues to invest in regulatory compliance and global growth.

The post PopOK Gaming Strengthens Latin American Expansion with Argentina Certification appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania