Analytics Company Esports One Finalizes $3 Million Funding Round
Published: Jan 25, 2018
Esports One, a company focusing on data and analytics in the esports industry, has recently closed a $3 million seed round. The Los Angeles-based startup is looking to offer AI-based analytics for its service users.
A unique approach to esports analytics
The team wants to use machine learning, computer vision, and custom analytics to help esports fans better understand games. With the help of the newly raised funds, the company seeks to expand its operations after recently launching beta tests.
“The close of our $3 million seed round is just the beginning; we’re continuing to make key hires, expanding operations and offices along with the upcoming launch of our esports podcast,” said Esports One CEO Matthew Gunnin. “We couldn’t be more excited to have the backing of our investors. Their support will be pivotal as we get ready to expand games and execute on our biggest launches yet.”
Gunnin is the founder of the League of Legends wiki site Esportspedia. He also worked at Azubu as the director of content as well as vice president of product for Unikrn. He says the idea for the new project was formed during his time at Azubu.
“Instead of being a video game streaming service and just go head to head against Twitch, we would focus directly on the esports aspect and integrate various elements,” Gunnin told The Esports Observer. “Around the stream and on the stream, users could thoroughly dictate what their experience was while they’re watching a broadcast, basically,”
Quality esports data is key
With many esports data companies relying on third-party game publisher APIs, data availability often becomes restricted, unreliable, or even non-existent. Esports One seeks to address this issue. It utilizes computer vision to capture live broadcast developments and machine learning technology to interpret the action. In short, the company wants to offer quality, real-time information for its users.
“This audience is groomed to expect the most advanced, competitive, and customizable technology,” said Eniac Ventures General Partner Vic Singh. “We are excited to support an industry veteran and a technology platform with computer vision and machine learning capabilities that bring esports spectators a deeper, more engaging experience through real-time data and analysis, a key missing ingredient in the viewing experience today.”
The company wants to create a service where users can handpick various game and player specifics they want to see. This includes myriad informational categories. Think player history against certain opponents, or farming efficiency, or player positional tracking, previous head-to-head results, objective tracking, and prediction models.
“Esports One is using cutting-edge technology to focus on what, we believe, is the most important aspect of the market, the spectator experiences,” said XSeed Capital Partner Damon Cronkey. “The Esports One team’s skills and category authenticity are undeniable and critical to their ability to understand the needs of the expanding esports community.”
The company’s service will be a part of Twitch Extensions, a service that aims to enhance the viewing experience for fans.
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Since: September 12, 2015
