Latest News

UK Gaming Company Six to Start Bought by Australian Listed Olivex in USD9.5m Deal

Published

5 years ago

March 8, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

UK company Six to Start Limited (Six to Start) is pleased to announce that it is being acquired by OliveX Holdings Limited the digital health and fitness company. OliveX will acquire 100 per cent of the issued shares of Six to Start for an initial cash and share consideration equivalent to US$6,650,000 and deferred, performance-based, consideration in cash and shares of up to US$2,850,000.

Six to Start is an award-winning UK-based game developer and fitness technology company which creates immersive and motivating smartphone audio stories and gaming experiences including Zombies, Run!, The Walk, and Zombies, Run! 5k.

Zombies, Run! is the world’s leading gamified health and fitness app with an average 300,000 active users per month, approximately 50,000 paid subscription users, and a digital fitness platform with augmented reality capabilities that have been recognised as best in class. Multi award-winning novelist Naomi Alderman is the main author of Zombies, Run!

Six to Start’s gamification assets include intellectual property, content creation and distribution channels that are strategically important to OliveX as it continues to commercialise its KARA Smart Fitness mirror – an interactive mirror that updates with live and on-demand workout classes.

As part of the acquisition, Adrian Hon, CEO and founder of Six to Start will become Chief Innovation Officer at OliveX whilst continuing in his role as Executive Director of Six to Start, further driving its growth and the execution of the company’s innovation strategy.

Adrian Hon, CEO, Six to Start said: “Six to Start has built a strong business model and a huge subscriber base of loyal users for our apps including Zombies, Run! and our growth strategy is a perfect fit with OliveX. We’ve both created innovative, game-changing technology that, when combined, will really advance the future of digital fitness making the

OliveX suite of products and solutions truly world leading. I’m incredibly excited to join OliveX as Chief Innovation Officer, and I’m really looking forward to what lies ahead.”

In relation to the acquisition, Hong Kong based Keith Rumjahn, CEO, OliveX said:

“At OliveX we’re passionate about making fitness fun, and that’s exactly what Six to Start does. With average revenues per paid subscriber exceeding £25 a year, and with real growth potential, Six to Start will bring immediate value to OliveX. Most importantly though we see enormous benefit in their global, loyal, subscriber base and the team’s product design and monetisation expertise.”

Tim Cooke, Chairman, and Jo Goodson, Non Executive Director, Six to Start, said: “Adrian and his team have demonstrated the creativity and strength of the UK games industry with the globally recognised brand Zombies, Run!

“Six to Start’s story-driven games have proved incredibly popular during the pandemic-driven lockdowns now that health and fitness are on people’s minds more than ever. Post lockdowns, Six to Start will continue to help millions achieve their fun and fitness goals by combining immersive and engaging online experiences with the real world, alongside massive companies such as Zoom, which have shown how integral they have become to people’s lives.”

OliveX intends to undertake a capital raising to raise a minimum of A$6,000,000 (before costs) in the coming days which will fund its initial cash obligations under the acquisition and provide additional working capital. In addition, OliveX hold a meeting of shareholders in due course to obtain any necessary shareholder approvals (including in relation to the issue of shares and performance rights under the Acquisition).

Alona Shevtsova

Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova moderates Global Gaming Expansion panel in Riyadh

Published

3 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

sends-ceo-alona-shevtsova-moderates-global-gaming-expansion-panel-in-riyadh

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, will moderate a panel at The Blockchain show on 29^th June, bringing together experts from entertainment, location-based gaming, and content localisation to examine what it takes to build sustainable gaming ecosystems across emerging markets.

The panel, titled “Global Gaming Expansion: Lessons from Untapped Markets,” will structure its discussion across four themes: the growth dynamics reshaping emerging gaming markets; the role of localisation in creating experiences that genuinely connect with new audiences; the infrastructure and communities needed to build gaming ecosystems beyond the game itself; and the lessons and opportunities that will define successful expansion in the years ahead.

Alona Shevtsova plans to frame the discussion around the central challenge for companies looking to expand globally: entering a new market requires far more than bringing an existing product to a new audience. Understanding local cultures, building communities, adapting experiences, and creating ecosystems that allow gaming to grow sustainably are all as important as the product itself.

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, said:

“The future growth of gaming will come not only from new technologies, but from understanding people — their cultures, communities, and the experiences they want to be part of. Successful expansion will belong to those who can combine global ambition with local understanding.”

The first segment will examine why regions including the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia are becoming increasingly significant for developers, operators, and investors — driven by young audiences, accelerating digital adoption, and new entertainment models creating substantial growth potential. Panellists will explore how consumer preferences differ across markets and what trends among younger audiences are shaping the future of gaming and entertainment.

The third segment will broaden the lens beyond the game itself, exploring the role of location-based entertainment, gaming centres, esports, and experiential destinations in attracting new audiences and building long-term communities. Panellists plan to address how entertainment ecosystems — spanning physical venues, events, and community infrastructure — accelerate gaming adoption in markets where the category is still establishing itself.

Earlier this month, Alona Shevtsova was shortlisted for the 2026 Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Established Business of the Year category. Her team is also preparing for the Fintech Connect conference in London later this year. Sends will be a leading sponsor of this event.

*Sends is a trade name of SMARTFLOW PAYMENTS LIMITED, registered in England and Wales (Company No.11070048). For more information, visit sends.co .

The post Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova moderates Global Gaming Expansion panel in Riyadh appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.