PlayVS

PlayVS

Esports competition platform for high schools

About PlayVS

Simplify's Rating
Why PlayVS is rated
A+
Rated A on Competitive Edge
Rated A on Growth Potential
Rated A+ on Differentiation

Industries

Education

Consumer Goods

Gaming

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Series C

Total Funding

$106.5M

Headquarters

Los Angeles, California

Founded

2018

Overview

PlayVS provides a platform for high school students in the U.S. and Canada to participate in esports competitions, featuring games like League of Legends and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The platform simplifies scheduling, matchmaking, and record-keeping for teams, and is offered free of charge to schools to promote esports growth. PlayVS also connects high school esports to collegiate programs, awarding over $1 million in scholarships and partnering with staypluggedin.gg to help students secure financial support for college. Additionally, the company generates revenue through partnerships, such as merchandise sales, while focusing on skill development and improved student outcomes.

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Acquisitions of Generation Esports and Playfly College Esports expand PlayVS's reach and influence.
  • Partnership with Zenni Optical enhances scholarship opportunities and community benefits for players.
  • Collaboration with Omnic.AI provides advanced analytics, improving player skills and performance.

What critics are saying

  • Integration challenges from acquisitions may disrupt operations and affect service quality.
  • Reliance on Omnic.AI's technology poses risks if performance improvements are not realized.
  • Changes in Zenni Optical's market position could impact benefits to PlayVS's community.

What makes PlayVS unique

  • PlayVS offers a unique platform for high school esports competitions in the U.S. and Canada.
  • The company bridges high school and collegiate esports, offering scholarships and educational pathways.
  • PlayVS integrates AI-driven performance analytics to enhance player development and engagement.

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Funding

Total Funding

$106.5M

Meets

Industry Average

Funded Over

3 Rounds

Series C funding is usually for startups that are doing well and are looking for more money to fuel major growth, such as acquiring other companies, expanding into global markets, or launching new product lines. Investors typically include larger venture capital firms and private equity.
Series C Funding Comparison
Below Average

Industry standards

$50M
$10.5M
PlayVS
$40M
Figma
$50M
Medium
$62M
SeatGeek
$100M
Oura

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

1%

2 year growth

-7%
PR Newswire
Apr 22nd, 2025
PlayVS Acquires Generation Esports and Playfly College Esports, Forming North America's Largest Scholastic and Collegiate Esports Network

/PRNewswire/ -- PlayVS, North America's leading amateur esports platform, today announced its acquisitions of Generation Esports and Playfly College Esports,...

VentureBeat
Apr 22nd, 2025
Playvs Expands Reach With Acquisitions Of Generation Esports And Playfly College Esports

PlayVS, North America’s amateur esports platform, announced the acquisitions of Generation Esports and Playfly College Esports to expand its reach in competitive gaming. With these strategic additions, PlayVS is uniting the entire scholastic esports ecosystem, from middle school through high school and college, into one powerful, connected pathway for student players, coaches, and educators, the company said. The combined company will have around 80 people. By integrating Generation Esports and Playfly College Esports into its platform, PlayVS strengthens its mission to connect every level of scholastic competition, creating a seamless pipeline that supports students as they compete, develop skills, and pursue opportunities throughout their academic journeys. These partnerships make PlayVS the undisputed leader in scholastic and collegiate esports, with the largest footprint across middle school, high school, and collegiate esports leagues, the company said. The agreement brings PlayVS into more than 900 colleges, ensuring that students have a clear and structured path from early competitive gaming to higher education opportunities.“This is a historic moment for esports and gaming in schools,” said Jon Chapman, CEO of PlayVS, in a statement. “By bringing together Generation Esports and Playfly College Esports under the PlayVS umbrella, we are creating an unprecedented pathway for students to experience the benefits of gaming at every level

PR Newswire
Apr 4th, 2025
Zenni Optical Teams Up With Playvs As The Official Eyewear Partner

Zenni partners with PlayVS as both the Official Eyewear of PlayVS and the annual PlayVS CupLOS ANGELES, March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PlayVS , the leading esports platform in North America, today announced a multi-year partnership with Zenni Optical , the world's leading online eyewear retailer. This partnership establishes Zenni as the official eyewear partner of PlayVS, bringing exclusive benefits to PlayVS' esports community.As part of this collaboration, Zenni will serve as the official eyewear partner of the PlayVS Cup, the annual national esports championship for high school students. The Cup provides top scholastic esports teams from across the country with an opportunity to compete for a national title and earn recognition and awards, including college scholarships. Zenni's partnership will help power scholarship prizes for Cup finalists, furthering PlayVS' dedication to empowering students and supporting their educational and athletic ambitions. These scholarships not only aid with alleviating financial strain, but also highlight esports as a viable pathway to academic and professional success.Zenni's eyewear will also be included in the prize packages that PlayVS Cup champions and PlayVS Awards winners receive, providing students with high quality eyewear to complement their gaming performance. Additionally, Zenni will offer members of the PlayVS community exclusive discounts on eyewear."We are excited to partner with PlayVS and expand our ongoing support of the gaming and esports community," said Robb Chiarini, Head of Partnerships, Licensing, & Events at Zenni Optical

Esports Advocate
Oct 14th, 2024
PlayVS Partners With Omnic.AI

Los Angeles-based scholastic and grassroots esports company PlayVS announced Monday a strategic partnership with Omnic.AI, a self-service, AI-focused, game performance platform.

VentureBeat
Oct 14th, 2024
Playvs Partners With Omnic To Help Gamers Play Smarter With Ai Feedback

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More. PlayVS has partnered with Omnic.AI, a self-service platform that helps gamers player smarter with AI feedback.The partnership allows players to receive an analysis of their in-game performance, matches them with pro players that have similar gaming styles, and provides them with detailed match analysis data, said  Jon Chapman, PlayVS CEO, in an interview with GamesBeat.The goal for PlayVS and Omnic.AI is to help students develop key transferable skills including critical thinking, adaptability, and effective communication. This is aimed at redefining the next generation of gamers, helping them reach their full potential. PlayVS is focused on middle school and high school esports leagues, and it is targeting such students with the Omnic.AI analytics tools and insights. Back in September, it launched a digital-first esports competition platform to widen its reach. Omnic.AI helps players perform and communicate better in esports.Focuses on esports player performance data and analytics, Omnic.AI uses AI and machine learning to gather insights and a detailed analysis of gameplay for users

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