ESL FACEIT Group acquires Vindex to support esports event operations
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ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading independent esports event hosting conglomerate, has acquired Vindex to support and grow its operations. Vindex specializes in data, technology and infrastructure solutions for esports events, making it a prime acquisition target for EFG.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The added value of VindexVindex's portfolio includes end-to-end solutions for analytics and data production.
"One of the things we tried to solve with Vindex was to give publishers a great institutional partner to work with," Vindex CEO Mike Sepso told GamesBeat. "At Activision Blizzard, I learned firsthand that there are many interesting small companies that focus on different parts of the esports value chain. It's really difficult for a very large company to work with 20 different partners and suppliers worldwide."
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Mike Sepso will continue as CEO of Vindex
The Vindex intelligence platform provides brands, publishers and creators with robust omnichannel consumer data and analytics. Vindex focuses on optimizing broadcasts, measuring engagement, and displaying ROI to reach esports and gaming fans.
Esports Engine produces broadcasts, physical and metaverse events for esports, gaming and creator audiences. Although the company itself is not owned by a publisher, it works closely with them on a white label basis. Esports Engine has been a production partner for the Halo Championship Series, Apex Legends Global Series, Call of Duty League, Overwatch League and more.
This is a marked difference in strategy from EFG's ESL, FACEIT and DreamHack brands. EFG's labels mainly produce events under their own brand. Craig Levine, Co-CEO of ESL FACEIT Group, confirmed that part of the appeal of acquiring Vindex was being able to offer more partnership opportunities to publishers, both in a white label model and partnership.
Vindex has also developed new technologies for its broadcast partners. “We have moved to an almost entirely remote broadcast capability. Previously, we had to rent several satellite TV trucks, have 20 to 30 people work on a show and have the observation camera on site. Now we can do it anywhere,” Sepso added. "Because we're dedicated to esports, we can achieve the kind of technical innovation that you don't necessarily see running a league within a single publisher."
Prior to the deal, Belong Gaming Arenas - a chain of physical esports and gaming venues in the US and Europe - was also part of Vindex's portfolio. In September, Belong transitioned from an exclusively owned and operated model to a franchise model. While the two companies will continue to work together in a professional capacity, Belong will be spun off into a separate entity.
Levine confirmed that this decision was due to a di...
Connect with the top leaders in gaming in Los Angeles during GamesBeat Summit 2023 on May 22-23. Register here.
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading independent esports event hosting conglomerate, has acquired Vindex to support and grow its operations. Vindex specializes in data, technology and infrastructure solutions for esports events, making it a prime acquisition target for EFG.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The added value of VindexVindex's portfolio includes end-to-end solutions for analytics and data production.
"One of the things we tried to solve with Vindex was to give publishers a great institutional partner to work with," Vindex CEO Mike Sepso told GamesBeat. "At Activision Blizzard, I learned firsthand that there are many interesting small companies that focus on different parts of the esports value chain. It's really difficult for a very large company to work with 20 different partners and suppliers worldwide."
EventGamesBeat Summit 2023
Join the GamesBeat community in Los Angeles on May 22-23. You'll hear from the brightest minds in the gaming industry to share their updates on the latest developments.
register here
Mike Sepso will continue as CEO of Vindex
The Vindex intelligence platform provides brands, publishers and creators with robust omnichannel consumer data and analytics. Vindex focuses on optimizing broadcasts, measuring engagement, and displaying ROI to reach esports and gaming fans.
Esports Engine produces broadcasts, physical and metaverse events for esports, gaming and creator audiences. Although the company itself is not owned by a publisher, it works closely with them on a white label basis. Esports Engine has been a production partner for the Halo Championship Series, Apex Legends Global Series, Call of Duty League, Overwatch League and more.
This is a marked difference in strategy from EFG's ESL, FACEIT and DreamHack brands. EFG's labels mainly produce events under their own brand. Craig Levine, Co-CEO of ESL FACEIT Group, confirmed that part of the appeal of acquiring Vindex was being able to offer more partnership opportunities to publishers, both in a white label model and partnership.
Vindex has also developed new technologies for its broadcast partners. “We have moved to an almost entirely remote broadcast capability. Previously, we had to rent several satellite TV trucks, have 20 to 30 people work on a show and have the observation camera on site. Now we can do it anywhere,” Sepso added. "Because we're dedicated to esports, we can achieve the kind of technical innovation that you don't necessarily see running a league within a single publisher."
Prior to the deal, Belong Gaming Arenas - a chain of physical esports and gaming venues in the US and Europe - was also part of Vindex's portfolio. In September, Belong transitioned from an exclusively owned and operated model to a franchise model. While the two companies will continue to work together in a professional capacity, Belong will be spun off into a separate entity.
Levine confirmed that this decision was due to a di...
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