Entertainment VCLink

Crypto casino and sportsbook Yeet has secured $7.75 million in a funding round led by Dragonfly, with participation from Pudgy Penguins CEO Luca Netz and LayerZero Labs CEO Bryan Pellegrino. Co-founded by crypto personalities Mando and Keyboard Monkey, along with professional poker player Ben Lamb, Yeet aims to provide a gambling experience deeply embedded in crypto culture. The platform plans to offer a mix of traditional casino games and new crypto-focused games, catering to the risk-loving nature of crypto users. Logan Hitchcock | Decrypt https://lnkd.in/e58Ycjr2

UAE-based gametech startup PlaysOut has raised $7 million in a seed funding round led by KBW Ventures, with participation from OKX Ventures and Pacific Century Group. The investment, which values the company at $70 million, will support its expansion into new markets and the growth of its mini-game ecosystem. PlaysOut, founded by Jassem Osseiran in 2024, provides a platform for integrating mini-games into social media and messaging apps. https://lnkd.in/eikXADwU

AI-powered gaming startup PhilosopherKing has secured $3M in seed funding, led by 468 Capital and 212, to redefine interactive storytelling. With a platform that dynamically generates narratives based on player choices, the company aims to revolutionize the gaming experience and explore applications in media, education, and recruitment. Sophia Feona Cantiller | Greenbot https://lnkd.in/e38dhg2Q

AMT has raised $3.5 million in a seed round led by NFX to revolutionize influencer marketing with AI. The company's AI agent, Lyra, helps brands connect with influencers, book campaigns, and track results more efficiently. AMT is relocating from London to San Francisco and has already secured customers such as Le Petit Luetier, Neoplants, and Wild. Mike Butcher | TechCrunch https://lnkd.in/ggCCufaQ

LightFury Games, founded by Karan Shroff ?? GDC, Anurag Banerjee ?? GDC, and Tina Balachandran, has unveiled its first AAA title, E-Cricket, set to launch in 2026. The Bengaluru-based gaming studio previously raised $8.5 million in a seed round led by Blume Ventures, MIXI Global Investments, and Gemba Capital, with participation from Kunal Shah and Gaurav Munjal. The game leverages AWS technology to provide cost-effective, cross-platform gameplay, and integrates AI tools to streamline development. Vaibhavi Khanwalkar | The Economic Times https://lnkd.in/e7k5J-ef

Liminal Experiences, Inc has emerged from stealth with $5.8 million in funding to develop an AI-powered tool that enables user-generated content in video games. Founded by Riot Games veteran Brendan Mulligan, the Culver City-based startup is exploring AI-driven game development, a topic that continues to spark debate in the industry. Riot Games, along with its co-founder Marc Merrill, participated in the funding round. Keerthi Vedantam | Los Angeles Business Journal https://lnkd.in/eTAdPWaT

nunu.ai has secured $6M in funding to advance its AI agents for game testing, known as 'unembodied minds.' The round was co-led by a16z speedrun and TIRTA Ventures, with participation from Y Combinator. Cofounders Kyrill Hux, Jan Schnyder ?? GDC, and Nicolas Muntwyler ?? GDC aim to expand Nunu.ai’s infrastructure and extend its AI technology to real-world applications. Dean Takahashi | VentureBeat https://lnkd.in/eyKme8NZ

Human Computer, an independent game studio, has secured $5.7M in a seed round led by Makers Fund, with participation from a16z speedrun and former Airbnb COO Belinda Johnson. The company's total funding now stands at $7.7M. Tyler Matheson of Makers Fund will be joining the board, and Sam Rosenthal, founder of The Game Band, will serve as the first advisor. Founded by Alex Schleifer and Eliot Garcia Weisberg, the studio aims to push the boundaries of interactive entertainment. https://lnkd.in/eumkjsqW

Fixated, a content creator management company co-founded by Zach Katz and Jason Wilhelm, has secured a $10 million investment from Eldridge Industries, bringing their total funding round to $12.8 million. The company aims to support content creators beyond brand deals by offering services across multiple platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and livestreaming. Ethan M. | The Hollywood Reporter https://lnkd.in/eZkXMYcB

PvX Partners has raised $3.8M in seed funding to help consumer apps scale, with backing from General Catalyst and Play Ventures. The investment will support PvX Capital’s cohort financing model, offering fast, flexible capital to user acquisition-focused businesses. Led by Joe Wadakethalakal, PvX aims to empower developers with an alternative to equity dilution and traditional debt. https://lnkd.in/exERphhn