eSports
Israeli startup raises $2m to develop the next-gen academy platform for Esports teams
Edge Gaming is looking to revolutionize the competitive gaming world, with a new system that analyses and trains players to become professional gamers
Israeli startup Edge Gaming has just announced its pre-seed round, raising $2m to develop an Academy platform for Esports clubs and gamers. Leading the round are AnD Ventures and Stardom Ventures, two early stage Israeli VCs focusing on consumer & media. Prior to raising the round, The company has been part of the IDCX Studio accelerator program.
The Edge academy platform will enable Esports clubs to invite their large global fanbase into a virtual hub of plentiful competitive gaming experiences. Coupled with other content creation and community activities – the academy hub will enable players to develop and enhance themselves in the best way as professional gamers. Players will be able to join a unique “path to pro” program, train and develop their skills at the level required from professional Esports players, earn rewards, climb the leaderboards and create exciting gaming content with their peers. For Esports clubs, the academy is looking to open a whole new dimension for harnessing their powerful brand power and influence, allowing them to build a pivotal new scalable revenue channel, driven by memberships, special items and other gaming monetization channels that Edge is developing.
The platform’s core technology relies on a novel gaming skills engine, which was developed by renowned sports performance experts, neuroscientists, Esports coaches and AI engineers. The engine analyzes the player’s reactions, thought process and playing style, and then creates specific exercise patterns aimed at developing the player’s cognitive and gaming skills.
The company was founded by brothers Asaf Gazit (CEO) and Omri Gazit (COO). Both were previously officers in the Israeli special forces, gaining extensive experience in training cognitive skills for elite performance scenarios. With Edge, they’ve set out to combine their knowledge with their other big passion: competitive gaming.
“In our military service, we prepared soldiers for some of the most complicated situations a person can endure. We found that despite the obvious differences, training scenarios for soldiers and for professional Esports players are actually quite comparable,” said CEO Asaf Gazit.
“In Esports, players are required to process a great deal of information in a matter of seconds. The engine we are developing, which is a first of its kind in the market, is designed to answer that need, and others, through a 4 stage flow. First it deeply analyzes the players’ ability to process information and react, followed by mapping the results using our science-backed cognitive skills models. Next, the engine shows the player where and how they need to improve, with easy-to-grasp visuals and animations, instead of overwhelming statistics. Finally, it automatically builds for each player a set of personalized exercises and a training program. This level of end-to-end training experience is what aspiring players and Esports clubs have been deliberately looking for” Gazit added.
Roy Geva Glasberg, Managing Partner at AnD Ventures: “The Esports space is already generating billions in revenue, and is growing at a double-digit rate year over year. Our investment in Edge was driven by our conviction in the founders and their vision to bring an exciting new experience to the market of 100s of millions of gamers. The Edge Academy and its underlying technology hold a tremendous opportunity to unlock substantial value & growth for the 3 key stakeholders of the industry: the gamers, the Esports organizations and the game publishers.”
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BETBY, the leading sportsbook supplier, has announced the launch of “90s”, a new genre within its proprietary esports feed, BETBY Games, bringing exclusive retro-inspired content to operators and players.
Designed around the look and feel of classic 90s video games, the new genre introduces a lineup of e-sims that take players back to the pixel era, combining retro-inspired visuals with the simplicity and high-frequency betting mechanics that define BETBY Games. While many modern esports products focus on realism and
advanced graphics, 90s takes a different approach by returning to the roots of gaming, transforming familiar retro aesthetics into a fully optimised betting experience.
The launch responds to a growing demand for greater content variety within sportsbook environments, particularly products that can deliver constant engagement beyond traditional live sports schedules.
With 1-minute match formats, 24/7 availability, and quick settlements, “90s” is designed to offer operators a new layer of always-on entertainment while maintaining the speed and betting intensity that define BETBY.Games.
One of the key strengths of “90s” lies in its distinctive positioning within the modern iGaming market.
By bringing retro-inspired game formats into a fully betting-ready environment, BETBY is offering operators access to a type of content that is rarely available today, creating a differentiated experience inspired by the iconic titles and visual style that shaped a generation of players.
The first wave of titles includes eBasketball’98, eBaseball’95, eTennis’89, and eFighting’93, each bringing its own distinctive retro identity while being fully integrated with modern betting mechanics.
The collection covers a mix of major sports and fighting content, combining familiar retro gaming cues with formats built specifically for sportsbook performance.
eFighting’93 introduces a format that complements BETBY Games’ existing eFighting portfolio, offering fast-paced matchups and simple winner markets across 6,000 monthly matches.
eBasketball’98 delivers a dynamic format featuring a high-speed 1v1 shootout between two players at a single hoop.
Bettors can place wagers on the top scorer, point handicaps, total points, and individual point counts, with the title delivering 6,000 matches per month. eBaseball’95 condenses baseball into a
high-intensity 1-inning format, offering 5,000 monthly events across 1×2, handicap, and totals markets. Completing the lineup, eTennis’89 brings an ultra-fast tennis format focused on single-game action, with 6,000 monthly matches and winner markets.
Inspired by the visual identity of the 8-bit and 16-bit eras, “90s” creates a product that feels instantly recognisable to players who grew up with this style of gaming, while also offering younger audiences a distinctive and visually engaging alternative to conventional esports content.
“90s is an exciting new direction for BETBY Games because it brings something completely different to sportsbooks,” said Kirill Nekrasov, Head of Innovation & R&D at BETBY.
“There is still a very strong emotional connection around retro games, from the pixel art to the sounds and the simplicity of the gameplay.
We wanted to take that nostalgia and transform it into a product that works for modern betting: fast, clear, engaging, and available around the clock.”
“Our goal was to increase content diversity for our partners. Operators need engagement tools that work 24/7, and the “90s” genre provides a unique, fast-paced solution.
This initial launch is just the start, as we will continue to expand the portfolio with a wider mix of 90s-themed sports and casual titles,” he added.
The launch of 90s further strengthens BETBY.Games’ position as one of the most innovative proprietary esports feeds in the market, offering operators a broad portfolio of fast-betting content designed to drive engagement, increase event volume, and deliver a differentiated sportsbook experience.
BETBY
BETBY is a leading B2B provider of top-tier sports betting services, renowned for its groundbreaking technology and dedication to excellence.
BETBY’s team of industry veterans tap into their knowledge and expertise to deliver a premium, adaptable, and scalable sportsbook platform tailored to meet the varied demands of operators across the globe.
From dynamic in-play betting options to robust risk management tools and ground-breaking AI tools, BETBY is committed to propelling the success of its partners in the rapidly evolving landscape of online sports betting.
The post BETBY launches “90s”, a new retro-inspired genre within BETBY Games appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
RESPWNED and LOTUS 8 have signed a partnership to launch the GIRLGAMER Winnipeg Festival in 2026, marking the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival brand’s expansion into Canada.
RESPWNED manages the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival brand, while LOTUS 8 is a Canada-based company focused on event development and partnerships. The companies said they will jointly develop and deliver the Winnipeg event, combining global esports IP management, event production, commercial partnerships, and local execution.
“This partnership represents an exciting milestone for GIRLGAMER as we continue to expand globally and bring our platform to new audiences,” said Tiago Fernandes, Managing Partner at RESPWNED. “Canada is a dynamic and fast-growing Esports market, and we are proud to collaborate with LOTUS 8 to deliver a meaningful and impactful event experience.”
Steven Vuong, representing LOTUS 8, added: “We are thrilled to partner with RESPWNED to bring the GIRLGAMER Festival to Canada. This collaboration reflects a shared vision of building inclusive, high-quality esports experiences while creating strong commercial and community value. Together, we are laying the foundation for a standout event in 2026.”
The GIRLGAMER Winnipeg Festival is planned as a family-oriented event with business networking, brand activations, and community programming, and is expected to include international and local talent. Additional details, including dates, venue, and participating partners, will be announced in the coming months.
The post RESPWNED partners with LOTUS 8 to bring GIRLGAMER festival to Winnipeg in 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
RESPWNED, the company that manages the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival brand, and LOTUS 8, a Canada-based company focused on event development and partnerships, today announced their partnership to the launch of the GIRLGAMER Winnipeg Festival.
The strategic partnership marks a significant step in expanding the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival brand into Canada.
This brings its globally recognized platform for competitive gaming, inclusivity, and industry engagement to a new market.
The GIRLGAMER Winnipeg Festival is envisioned as a family-oriented event, with business networking, brand activations, and community-driven experiences.
Under the terms of the agreement, RESPWNED and LOTUS 8 will work collaboratively to develop and deliver the event, combining their respective expertise in global esports IP management, event production, commercial partnerships, and local market execution.
“This partnership represents an exciting milestone for GIRLGAMER as we continue to expand globally and bring our platform to new audiences,” said Tiago Fernandes, Managing Partner at RESPWNED.
“Canada is a dynamic and fast-growing Esports market, and we are proud to collaborate with LOTUS 8 to deliver a meaningful and impactful event experience.”
Steven Vuong, representing LOTUS 8, added: “We are thrilled to partner with RESPWNED to bring the GIRLGAMER Festival to Canada.
This collaboration reflects a shared vision of building inclusive, high-quality esports experiences while creating strong commercial and community value.
Together, we are laying the foundation for a standout event in 2026.”
The GIRLGAMER Winnipeg Festival will feature a combination of international and local talent, brand partnerships, and programming designed to foster diversity, inclusion, and innovation within the gaming and esports ecosystem.
Further details, including dates, venue, and participating partners, will be announced in the coming months.
RESPWNED LTD
RESPWNED is a United Kingdom-based company specializing in esports IP management, event production, and industry consultancy.
The company manages the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival brand, a global platform dedicated to creating opportunities and visibility for women in gaming and esports.
LOTUS 8
LOTUS 8 is a Canada-based premier esports organization based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dedicated to building championship-calibre teams across North America, they are at the forefront of innovation in competitive gaming.
As pioneers in the industry, they have developed the Performance Mindset Mindfulness, a system designed to support mental health in esports.
This holistic approach blends mental wellness practices, meditation, nutrition, fitness, and proper sleep hygiene into their competitive strategy.
The post RESPWNED and LOTUS 8 to launch GIRLGAMER Winnipeg Festival in 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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