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Zibra AI raises $500,000 funding from successful a16z Speedrun

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Zibra AI, a Ukrainian deep-tech company specializing in AI-generated 3D assets for games and virtual environments, announces it has successfully participated in the first-ever Andreessen Horowitz (“a16z”) Speedrun accelerator, receiving USD $500,000 to kickstart its current seed investment round and bringing its total investment to-date to USD $2.5 million.

Founded in 2021, Zibra AI aims to use the funding to expand its team and fuel the growth of its innovative generative AI technology. The company’s flagship product, Zibra Effects, is a Unity Verified Solution that can be utilized across PC and Mac, iOS and Android, consoles and VR/AR, with use cases in industries like gaming, metaverse and professional training simulations. By automating the creation of high-quality 3D assets and visual effects, the technology helps streamline production for developers.

Zibra AI was one of just 32 companies out of 1,600 applicants accepted into a16z’s inaugural Speedrun, which provides funding and coaching for the most promising pre-seed startups at the intersection of games and tech. Each of the companies accepted into the program received an initial investment of $500,000 and pitched to investors at the Speedrun Demo Day held in Los Angeles in June 2023. Following the success of the first Speedrun, a16z has announced Speedrun 2024 and committed to invest up to $75m in other promising startups in the space.

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55% of the Speedrun companies were located in the San Francisco Bay Area, with Zibra AI the sole representative from Eastern Europe. Based in Kyiv, Ukraine, Zibra AI has continued to successfully raise capital alongside the hottest startups in the world despite the exceptional challenges of its wartime reality, and currently has an open seed round. The company raised a pre-seed round of $1.2 million in November 2022 from investors including Gismart, SID Venture Partners and angels including The Sandbox’s Sebastian Borget and Phil Libin from Evernote. Zibra AI was also a recipient of an Epic MegaGrant from Epic Games in December 2022.

Alex Petrenko, CEO and co-founder at Zibra AI, commented: “It was an honor for Zibra AI to have been shortlisted in the very first a16z Speedrun this year. It’s the latest investment proofpoint which demonstrates clear investor confidence in our technology roadmap and vision for the next two years and beyond. Our generative AI tools address the two major challenges faced by developers – creating interactive VFX and generating 3D assets and characters. With this new investment, we can accelerate our plans to develop our tech and further support and streamline development for games and all virtual experiences across industries.”

Troy Kirwin, Investment Partner at a16z, said: “We were immediately impressed with the Zibra AI team’s ability to solve some of the most challenging technical problems in computer graphics. We’re thrilled to be a part of their journey to build an end-to-end 3D content creation platform.”

Zibra AI’s generative AI technology is already being used by a community of more than 85,000 developers. Interested companies can see the tech in action by trying it for free for a limited period, or visit the Zibra AI website to find out more.

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SYNOT Games partners with Platin Casino for a broader Spanish audience reach

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SYNOT Games, a leading provider in the iGaming industry, is excited to announce its latest partnership with Platin Casino in Spain. The collaboration introduces over 30 of SYNOT Games‘ most popular and engaging slots.

By joining forces, SYNOT Games and Platin Casino aim to solidify their positions in the Spanish market, offering exceptional value and entertainment to players while adhering to the highest demand.

Among the standout titles now available at Platin Casino are fan favorites such as Fruiti, Joker 5, Realm of Lions, and the highly anticipated seasonal release, Respin Joker 81 Xmass. These games highlight SYNOT Games‘ dedication to delivering visually captivating, high-quality, and diverse gaming experiences tailored to various player preferences.

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The collaboration emphasizes the vital role of partnerships in the ever-evolving iGaming sector, showcasing how mutual efforts can lead to expanded market presence and enhanced customer satisfaction.

Leticia Millán, Product Manager at Platin Casino, emphasized the significance of the partnership: We are thrilled to partner with SYNOT Games and bring their engaging slots to our platform. Their innovative approach to game design and ability to deliver player-favorite titles perfectly complement our mission to provide top-tier entertainment.”

Martina Krajčí, Chief Commercial Officer at SYNOT Games, added: „Collaborating with Platin Casino represents an exciting step for SYNOT Games as we expand our reach in Spain. Together, we bring an outstanding portfolio of games to a broader audience, ensuring players enjoy the premium gaming experience they deserve.“

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Playson goes live with St8 partnership to further expand European audience reach

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Playson, the fast-growing digital entertainment supplier, has moved to strengthen its distribution reach across the European market following a partnership with B2B aggregation platform provider St8.

The tie-up sees a broad collection of Playson’s top-performing games made available to St8’s partnered operators via a seamless API, enhancing the quality of their portfolios significantly. This includes the integration of popular titles such as Coin Strike: Hold and Win and Energy Coins: Hold and Win, as well as latest offerings Pink Joker: Hold and Win and Lightning Clovers: Hit the Bonus.

St8 boasts decades of experience in B2B iGaming operations, delivering fast and scalable solutions and will launch Playson’s industry-renowned portfolio initially in Estonia and Finland, with further European regions to be announced.

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The partnership underlines Playson’s ever-expanding global footprint and its ability to cater for large operator networks. By delivering engaging titles with sort-after mechanics, Playson continues to strengthen its reputation as a leading force in the iGaming European landscape.

Cristhian Andre Zito Sudoarg, Sales Manager at Playson, said: “We’re very pleased to partner with St8 and add our portfolio of captivating content to its ever-growing aggregation offering.

“As we continue to navigate a period of strong commercial growth across Europe, collaborations with providers such as St8 allow us to continue expanding our distribution to new markets and players.”

Alex Zvezdochkin, COO at St8, said: “We are thrilled to announce the integration of Playson as our latest games supplier, which marks an important milestone for us.

“We’re always looking to bring the very best games studios to St8, and Playson absolutely fits into that category. The titles are now available to St8 operator partners alongside all the usual features and functionality, including our bespoke selection of thumbnails.”

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Evoplay expands Baltic presence with new Optibet collaboration

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Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has announced its latest partnership with leading Baltic operator Optibet, part of Entain, marking a strategic expansion in Lithuania and Estonia.

Through the agreement, Optibet now offers over 70 of Evoplay’s premium slot titles to its customers in both markets, including popular games such as The Greatest Catch Bonus Buy, Elven Princesses, and Fruit Super Nova.

Optibet, part of global gaming giant Entain, is a trusted operator across the Baltics, providing Evoplay with a solid foundation to grow its presence in the region.

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This exclusive partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to delivering top-tier gaming experiences and increasing engagement within these key markets.

Ihor Zarechnyi, CBDO at Evoplay, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Optibet, a trusted name across the Baltics, to bring our games to players in Lithuania and Estonia.”

“This collaboration marks an important step in our commitment to expanding in regulated markets and offering tailored experiences that resonate with local audiences.”

Janis Bariss, Entain Head of Gaming Baltics & Nordics, said: “Optibet is dedicated to providing our players with the best in gaming entertainment and partnering with Evoplay allows us to deliver an exciting range of content that adds real value to our portfolio.”

“Evoplay’s innovative approach and diverse game selection will be a fantastic addition to our online casinos in Lithuania and Estonia, and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact it has on our audience.”

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