Scopely, the US-based mobile game developer that counts corporates Take-Two Interactive and Chernin Group as investors, secured $200m yesterday in a series D round led by venture capital firm NewView Capital.
The cash was raised at a $1.7bn, a source familiar with the deal told Variety. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Baillie Gifford, Greycroft Partners, Revolution Growth and Sands Capital Ventures also participated.
Founded in 2011, Scopely develops and publishes mobile games, most of which are based on pre-existing properties. Its releases include tie-ins to Star Trek, The Walking Dead, Wheel of Fortune, Looney Tunes and WWE.
The latest funding is intended to drive a growth strategy that will rely chiefly on investments and merger and acquisition deals. The company acquired mobile game studio Digit Games, a development partner since 2015, in March this year.
Walter Driver, co-CEO of Scopely, said: “With our business continuing to scale and the durability of our flagship properties, we are more bullish than ever on further expanding our portfolio through M&A. This funding round adds the financial support to pursue large-scale acquisition opportunities.”
Scopely has now raised $359m altogether, $35m of which was supplied in a 2014 series A round featuring over-the-top media company Chernin Group, Evolution Media Partners, Sands Capital Ventures, Elephant Partners, Highland Capital, Knoll Ventures and Double M Capital.
Greycroft led Scopely’s $55m series B round in 2016, investing with video game publisher Take-Two Interactive, Evolution Media Partners, Sands Capital, Elephant Partners and Highland Capital.
The company added $60m from Revolution Growth, Sands Capital, Greenspring Associates, Cross Creek Advisors and Pritzker Group Venture Capital in mid-2017. Its early investors include Anthem Venture Partners, New Enterprise Associates, Lerer Hippeau and Red Swan Ventures.
