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).

eSports

Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028

Published

4 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-names-faker-game-ambassador-for-ewc-and-enc-through-2028

Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.

The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.

EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.

“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”

Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”

EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.

The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brand Partnerships

Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season

Published

11 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

midnite-signs-as-middlesbrough-fc-principal-partner-for-2026/27-season

Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.

The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.

Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.

Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:

“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.

“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.

“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”

Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.

“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”

The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGCO

ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch

Published

11 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-secures-agco-supplier-licence-for-ontario-launch

ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.

The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.

ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.

The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.