Freaks 4U Gaming secures first-ever investor funding from Co-Investors Partners to accelerate global expansions.
BERLIN, August 11, 2021 – Freaks 4U Gaming, a global full-service agency specializing in gaming and esports, today announced a €15 million investment from Co-Investor Partners, an equity investor focusing on medium-sized companies in the DACH region. The funding will be utilized to drive the company’s growth and expansion plans. This is the first-ever investor funding Freaks 4U Gaming has received since it was established in 2011; the deal also marks the first equity investment Co-Investor Partners has done in the esports and gaming sector.
Freaks 4U Gaming is recognized as a leading agency partner in esports and gaming by industry veterans, publishers, endemic and non-endemic brands. The Berlin-based company offers a multitude of client-centric services including strategic consultancy, community and social media management, tournament and event organization, influencer management and multi-media production through its agency business. With dedicated television and livestream studios as well as cutting-edge production technology and equipment, Freaks 4U Gaming also delivers state-of-the-art broadcast solutions. Deeply rooted at the heart of the community, the company stays connected with professional players, esports fans and gaming enthusiasts through its proprietary community platforms including 99Damage, Summoner’s Inn, Agent’s Range, 1pv and joinDOTA, and publisher-licensed events such as the 2021 VALORANT Champions Tour in Europe, the CIS and Turkey, and League of Legends Prime League in the DACH region.
“As one of the early pioneers in esports and gaming, Freaks 4U Gaming has come a long way to the uniquely competitive position we are in today,” said Michael Haenisch, CEO of Freaks 4U Gaming. “We pride ourselves in being a truly 360-degree organization in the eco-system – part agency, part content producer, and part community. This allows us to create customized, integrated solutions that are aligned with our clients’ goals and resonate authentically with the community.”
“Freaks managed to grow and weather the challenging times through bootstrapping – it certainly has not been easy, to say the least. However, finding a partner who believes in our values, business model and expertise, is as vital as securing the capital we need to support our growth. We are thrilled to have Co-Investor Partners and its investors onboard, they have demonstrated enormous amount of trust and support while sharing excitement about Freaks and our new endeavor,” added Haenisch.
With the investment, Co-Investor Partners is now a minority shareholder of Freaks 4U Gaming. Farsin Yadegardjam, Partner, Co-Investor Partners, said: “The growth figures of the gaming and esports market are simply impressive, and with our investment in Freaks we have the opportunity to join one of the most important players in this market in Western Europe. In addition to the already existing growth story, the fantastic team was a key factor in our decision. We expect Freaks not only to participate in the overall market growth, but also to benefit above average from its unique position as a 360-degree agency. We look forward to the journey together and to support Freaks with our expertise as growth investor.”
Freaks 4U Gaming has seen consistent, organic growth in the past ten years. The company established its first international office in the Asia Pacific region in 2013, followed by entering of the North American market in 2016. Meanwhile, to continue cultivate its European home base and service offerings in the region, Freaks 4U Gaming entered the French market in 2019 and most recently expanded to Italy and Switzerland through the addition of ProGaming Italia.
Freaks 4U Gaming’s growth initiatives will focus on sustainability and scalability to achieve business longevity and corporate social responsibility. The funding will enable the company to solidify its Pan-European footprint and accelerate global expansions through its existing portfolio and new opportunities. Additionally, organizational and personnel development programs as well as environmentally conscious measures will be implemented.
“The investment is a true testament to our accomplishments and the positive prospect of Freaks’ future, we are very grateful to our clients and stakeholders that have trailblazed alongside us. As we celebrate this significant milestone for the company, I also want to congratulate the incredible team at Freaks – for their unwavering dedication and hard work that have culminated this very moment, I could not be more proud of what we have accomplished together,” commented Haenisch.