skillz

skillz

Platform for cash-prize competitive gaming

Overview

Skillz operates a mobile gaming platform that lets players compete in skill-based games for real-money prizes via tournaments and head-to-head matches. Players join through the Skillz app, pay entry fees, play, and win cash prizes; the company earns revenue from entry fees, in-app purchases, and advertisements. It also provides game developers with integration tools to add their titles to the platform and monetize through competitive play. Its goal is to broaden access to real-money competitive gaming, expand its game catalog, and grow the mobile esports market.

About skillz

Simplify's Rating
Why skillz is rated
C+
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated D+ on Differentiation

Industries

Consumer Software

Entertainment

Gaming

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Las Vegas, Nevada

Founded

2012

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • July 27, 2026 awarded Skillz $719 million disgorgement against Papaya Gaming.
  • Pro SDK launches in Q2 2026, expanding developer control and monetization options.
  • Q1 2026 revenue rose 33% year over year, while adjusted EBITDA improved excluding litigation.

What critics are saying

  • $129.7 million notes mature December 15, 2026; missed refinancing threatens bankruptcy.
  • Paying monthly active users fell 9% sequentially in Q1 2026, signaling weakening demand.
  • Papaya may appeal the $729 million judgment, delaying cash collection and liquidity relief.

What makes skillz unique

  • Skillz owns patented real-money competition infrastructure and billions of mobile tournaments.
  • Beamable acquisition and Pro SDK turn Skillz into a fuller developer platform.
  • RZR ad-tech adds monetization beyond entry fees, unlike pure gaming marketplaces.

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Funding

Total Funding

$113.2M

Below

Industry Average

Funded Over

8 Rounds

Debt funding comparison data is currently unavailable. We're working to provide this information soon!
Debt Funding Comparison
Coming Soon

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Company Match

Mental Health Support

Wellness Program

Paid Vacation

Commuter Benefits

Stock Price

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

2%

1 year growth

1%

2 year growth

1%
Associated Press
Jul 28th, 2026
Papaya Gaming ordered to pay $719M to Skillz for faking competition with bots

A US federal court has ordered Papaya Gaming to pay $719 million to Skillz Platform Inc., a subsidiary of Firy Inc. (NYSE: FIRY), in a false advertising case. The disgorgement represents Papaya's unjust profits and replaces the $420 million in actual damages awarded by a jury in April 2026. The court found that Papaya used bots to falsely advertise prize money between 2021 and 2024. Evidence showed that approximately 70% of $6.7 billion in advertised prizes, roughly $4.7 billion, was never paid to customers because Papaya's bots won instead. Papaya deployed more than 13 million bot participants compared to roughly 11 million real human players. The court also awarded Skillz approximately $10 million in legal fees. Papaya's post-trial motions challenging the verdict were denied. The original jury verdict was the largest false advertising award in US history under the Lanham Act.

Yahoo Finance
May 20th, 2026
Skillz grows revenue 33% YoY to $29M, wins $420M jury award against Papaya Gaming

Skillz Inc reported Q1 2026 revenue of $29 million, up 33% year-over-year but down 3% quarter-over-quarter. The company's adjusted EBITDA loss widened to $13 million, though excluding litigation expenses, the loss improved 15% to $7 million. Paying monthly active users fell 9% quarter-over-quarter to 128,000, whilst average revenue per paying user increased 7%. The company secured a major legal victory against Papaya Gaming, with a jury awarding $420 million in damages for false advertising. Skillz ended the quarter with $185 million in cash and faces $130 million of debt due by year-end. Management attributed the decline in active users to reduced user acquisition spending whilst focusing on retaining high-value, long-term customers. The company recently acquired Beamible to enhance platform infrastructure.

Business Wire
May 15th, 2026
Skillz wins $420M Lanham Act verdict, reports Q1 revenue of $29.1M

Skillz, a mobile games platform, reported first quarter 2026 revenue of $29.1 million with a net loss of $10.9 million and adjusted EBITDA loss of $12.8 million. The company had 128,000 paying monthly active users with average revenue per user of $76. In April, a federal jury found competitor Papaya Gaming liable for false advertising, awarding Skillz $420 million in actual damages under the Lanham Act, with potential total awards ranging up to $1.2 billion. The court has ordered settlement discussions, with a final ruling expected in June. Excluding litigation expenses, adjusted EBITDA improved 15% quarter-over-quarter. Skillz ended the quarter with $185 million in cash and continues evaluating strategic alternatives whilst working towards sustained profitability.

Business Wire
Mar 31st, 2026
Skillz reports $104.5M revenue for 2025, cuts adjusted EBITDA loss 16% year-over-year

Skillz, a mobile games platform, reported Q4 2025 revenue of $30.0 million and full-year revenue of $104.5 million, with the company delivering four consecutive quarters of sequential revenue growth. The company posted a net loss of $17.9 million for Q4 and $70.4 million for the full year. Adjusted EBITDA loss narrowed 16% year-over-year to $50.5 million for 2025. The company reported 141,000 paying monthly active users in Q4 with average revenue per user of $71.1. Skillz ended the year with $194.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and $129.7 million in outstanding debt. CEO Andrew Paradise highlighted the performance of RZR, the company's AI ad-tech segment, which achieved positive adjusted EBITDA for the full year.

StockTitan
Mar 23rd, 2026
Skillz (NYSE: SKLZ) extends CFO tenure with up to $600,000 in incentives.

Skillz (NYSE: SKLZ) extends CFO tenure with up to $600,000 in incentives. Filing Impact (Moderate) Filing Sentiment Rhea-AI Filing summary. Skillz Inc. has extended the transition period for its Chief Financial Officer. The company and CFO Gaetano Franceschi amended their existing side letter so that his employment will now end on the earlier of October 1, 2026 or a mutually agreed date following the appointment of a permanent successor. Franceschi will continue serving as CFO during this transition and will receive compensation consistent with the prior side letter. He will also be eligible for an additional $300,000 if he remains with the company through October 1, 2026, plus a discretionary bonus of up to $300,000 tied to his performance, the company's performance, and the success of the CFO transition. The underlying transition and separation agreement otherwise remains unchanged, and Skillz continues its search for a permanent CFO. Insights. Skillz extends CFO transition for continuity with added incentives. Skillz Inc. is keeping CFO Gaetano Franceschi in place longer while it searches for a permanent successor. The amended arrangement extends his potential departure to the earlier of October 1, 2026 or a mutually agreed post-transition date. The company is offering an extra $300,000 for continued service through October 1, 2026, plus a discretionary bonus of up to $300,000 based on performance and transition success. This structure encourages an orderly handover without altering the original separation terms. For investors, the key factor is leadership stability in the finance function during the ongoing search. Subsequent disclosures naming the permanent Chief Financial Officer will provide more clarity on the long-term financial leadership profile. 03/23/2026 - 05:06 PM Faq. What did Skillz Inc. (SKLZ) announce about its CFO transition? Skillz Inc. extended CFO Gaetano Franceschi's transition period, keeping him in role until the earlier of October 1, 2026 or a mutually agreed date following appointment of a permanent successor. The core transition and separation terms otherwise remain unchanged under the existing agreements. When will Skillz CFO Gaetano Franceschi leave the company? Gaetano Franceschi is now scheduled to leave Skillz on the earlier of October 1, 2026 or a mutually agreed date after a permanent Chief Financial Officer is appointed. At that time, he will separate from employment under the existing transition and separation framework. What additional compensation can the Skillz CFO receive under the amended side letter? Under the amended side letter, the Skillz CFO may receive an additional $300,000 if he continues service through October 1, 2026. He is also eligible for a discretionary bonus of up to $300,000 based on his performance, company performance, and the success of the CFO transition. Do the original Skillz CFO transition and separation terms change with this amendment? The amendment primarily extends the potential departure date and adds incentive opportunities. The underlying Transition and Separation Agreement and the existing Side Letter remain otherwise unchanged, preserving the previously agreed structure for Gaetano Franceschi's separation from Skillz Inc. Is Skillz Inc. still searching for a new Chief Financial Officer? Yes, Skillz Inc. continues to conduct a search for a permanent Chief Financial Officer. The company plans to announce a successor when the ongoing search concludes, while the current CFO remains in place to provide continuity during the transition period. What performance factors affect the discretionary bonus for the Skillz CFO? The discretionary bonus of up to $300,000 depends on Gaetano Franceschi's individual performance, Skillz Inc.'s overall performance, and the success of the transition to a permanent Chief Financial Officer. These criteria link additional compensation directly to effective leadership and a smooth handover. Filing exhibits & attachments. 3 documents

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