Egyptian Esports Platform GBarana Raises Six-Figure Pre-Series A
The Cairo-based startup has not only won praise for its data-driven advertising model, but for fostering a strong online community of gamers.
Cairo-based esports platform, GBarena, has announced the successful raise of a six-figure Pre-Series A round led by angel investors, Ahmed Aboudoma, Kushal Shah and HIM Angels.
Launched in 2016 by Samer Wagdy, Mustafa Zaza and Bishoy Mesdary, GBarena is considered the fastest growing platform of its kind in Egypt, one that allows users to organise and compete in tournaments through an automated process. In five years it has simultaneously been able to foster a strong online community, while building an advertising model based on data analytics, helping brands to target audiences based on activity, as well as demographics.
While esports has been gaining steam across much of the world for the last decade, it’s only in the last few years that players in the Middle East have emerged - though some have found unexpected success. Just this year, Amman-based gaming studio, Jawaker, closed a $205 million exit, while Lebanon-based game streaming platform, Rawa.TV was acquired by US-based Medal.TV.
