Gamerji, an Indian esports tournament platform, has announced plans to launch in the Philippines after it raised $3 million in a pre-Series A funding round backed by GVFL and Unicorn India Ventures.
The esports startup said it is looking at launching its platform in Southeast Asia, starting with the Philippines and Indonesia while further growing in recently launched international markets within the MENA region.
The company’s Philippine plan comes as several groups in the country have sought more government support for the sports industry. The calls include acknowledging esports as a legitimate creative sector and sport.
Even the Department of Education has hinted at plans to integrate esports into the curriculum through game-based learning and physical education.
Last year, Mineski Global, a Philippines-founded Asian esports and gaming startup, raised $10.6 million in Series A funding anchored by Exacta Capital Partners.
Gamerji founder and CEO Soham Thacker said rolling out in new geographies, including the Philippines, and a fresh infusion of capital will help the startup meet its growth targets ahead of timelines.
The latest funding brings Gamerji’s total funds raised to date to $5 million.
“Gaming landscape in India has changed drastically. The stakeholders and aspiring gamers are spending more time understanding the gaming industry. This has resulted in the fast growth of the sector. Gamerji has had a head start and we have already launched in the Middle East,” Thacker said.
Gamerji was founded in 2019 by Thacker, a gaming expert, and serial entrepreneur. Based in Ahmedabad, the startup seeks to bridge the gap between amateur and professional gamers through its tournaments.
The platform allows gamers to compete, host matches, communicate, and be recognized for their gaming skills.
The startup claims to have grown from 1 million to more than 4 million users in the last 12 months, serving more than 22 core esports titles. It has launched in UAE and Saudi Arabia, where it has more than 100,000 gamers.