Slay, a social gaming platform, has recently raised $5 million in funding. The platform already has a headstart with its popular game, Pengu, attracting over 2.5 million monthly active users and 650,000 daily active users. The company’s revenues in 2024 have already surpassed those of 2023 by ten times. Slay’s CEO, Fabian Kamberi, envisions creating an immersive social gaming platform where users can fulfill their narratives with virtual pets like Pengu. This opens up unlimited possibilities for engagement and interaction among users.
To further enhance the user experience, Slay has partnered with Lil Snack to develop customized games for their audience. This collaboration aims to engage gamers through play and provide an exciting way to interact with the GamesBeat content they love.
The funding round was led by Accel, with participation from other notable investors such as Laton VC, HYBE America CEO Scooter Braun, and King cofounder Riccardo Zacconi. This investment will be used to build an immersive social gaming platform for Slay’s highly-engaged users. Additionally, the funds will support the development of AI features and expand the reach of Pengu to a global audience.
Slay’s mission is to create positive social gaming experiences that bring people together and unleash their creativity. The company was founded in 2022 by Fabian Kamberi, Jannis Ringwald, and Stefan Quernhorst. They have already released successful gaming titles and apps, including frfr, an AI voice messaging app for Instagram stories that topped charts worldwide.
Pengu, Slay’s most successful title, allows users to raise their own digital penguin, play engaging mini-games, and connect with friends and family. The game has quickly gained popularity and currently boasts over 500,000 daily active users since its launch in 2023. Recognizing its organic traction, Slay is introducing new customizable games and characters, as well as features for better interaction and socialization among players. They are also providing a developer platform for users and studios to create their own content within the Pengu ecosystem.
Slay’s focus is now on turning Pengu into a platform rather than creating more games on top of it. They believe in a social gaming ecosystem that encourages authentic connections and product-led growth. The company aims to maximize creativity, imagination, and positive content creation within its platform.
With $7.7 million raised to date and a team of 14 people, Slay is poised for growth. The company understands the challenges of the mobile market, particularly with Apple’s focus on privacy and targeted ads. However, they believe in the power of viral content and organic distribution to drive engagement and monetization.
While the Berlin game startup scene is small, it is growing. Slay hopes to lead the way in revitalizing the city’s game industry by learning from past successes and doubling down on their efforts.
In conclusion, Slay’s funding round and focus on creating an immersive social gaming platform highlight the company’s commitment to positive social interactions and user-generated content. With the success of Pengu and its growing user base, Slay is well-positioned to become a leading player in the social gaming industry.