Mobile Premier League

Last updated

Mobile Premier League
Company type Private
Industry Online gaming
Founded2018;6 years ago (2018)
Founders
  • Sai Srinivas Kiran
  • Shubham Malhotra
Headquarters
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Area served
India, Europe, USA
RevenueIncrease2.svg $104.63 million (FY23) [1]
Decrease Positive.svg $–37 million (FY23) [1]
OwnersGalactus Funware Technology Pvt. Ltd [2]
Number of employees
800 (2021)
Website www.mpl.live

Mobile Premier League (MPL) is an Indian online gaming platform. It is based in Bengaluru, India. Founded in 2018 by Srinivas Kiran and Shubham Malhotra, the company currently offers 60 games in categories such as fantasy sports, sports games, puzzle, casual and board games. MPL offers fantasy cricket, football, and basketball leagues and has partnerships with major sports leagues such as the NBA and Pro Kabaddi League. [3]

Contents

History

MPL was founded by Sai Srinivas Kiran and Shubham Malhotra in 2018, initially offering puzzle games and casual games and expanding to fantasy sports the following year. [4] The company connects game publishers with users via its app platform. [5] In 2021, the company bought over GamingMonk, an esports community platform. [6]

The company currently offers 60 games in categories such as fantasy sports, sports games, puzzle, casual and board games. Given that certain games are banned in certain jurisdictions, the company has had to alter its offerings based on the users region. It employs over 800 people spread across offices in Bengaluru, Pune, Singapore and New York. [7] The company claims to have over 90 million registered users on its platform. [4]

A report by Mobile Premier League (MPL), that was published in 2024, has raised concerns about cybercriminals targeting young gamers for financial gain, exploiting their vulnerability and innocence. These scams pose significant risks to children's safety, privacy, and financial security, with potential consequences including identity theft, unauthorized bank access, and cyberbullying. Scammers often use psychological tricks and create fictitious identities, especially with the rise of AI. [8]

Geographic presence

MPL began as a mobile gaming application in India. In it expanded to Indonesia, its second country market in 2019. [9] In 2021, the company entered a third country when it launched operations in USA. [10] In 2022, the company bought out GameDuell, a games studio based in Berlin thus giving it an entry into the European market. [11]

As a part of cutbacks in 2022, the company announced it would exit the Indonesian market amongst other measures. [12]

Partnerships and brand ambassador

In 2019, the company became a broadcast partner for the Indian Premier League. It also signed up cricketer Virat Kohli as a brand ambassador. In 2020, the company became sponsors for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. [2]

A subsidiary of the online gaming platform, MPL Sports Apparel & Accessories was the official kit sponsor of the Indian Men's Cricket Team, Indian Women's Cricket Team, and Indian Under-19 Cricket Team from November 2020 till December 2022. [13] [14]

In 2021, MPL Sports Foundation was announced as the principal sponsor of the Indian contingent participating in the 2020 Summer Olympics, 2022 Asian Games and 2022 Commonwealth Games under a partnership with the Indian Olympic Association. [15]

Funding

MPL counts Sequoia Capital, Go Ventures, RTP Global, Go-Ventures, Moore Strategic Ventures, Play Ventures, Base Partners, Telstra Ventures, Founders Circle Capital, and Times Internet amongst its investors. [16] In 2021, it became India's second gaming unicorn when it raised funding in its Series E round at a valuation of $2.3 billion from Legatum Capital, RTP Global, Go-Ventures, Play Ventures, Base Partners, Founders Circle Capital and existing investors. [4] [17] [18]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Skill gaming unicorn MPL's global foray pays off; records 38% revenue from global markets in FY23". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  2. 1 2 Menon, Rashmi (15 January 2021). "MPL's Sai Srinivas is making gaming accessible". Mintlounge. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  3. ↑ Daily, List (18 June 2024). "Dream11 vs My11Circle vs MPL: Which Fantasy Sports App Is the Best?". Dailylist.in. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Singh, Rajiv (9 June 2022). "MPL: Forging A League Of Its Own". Forbes India. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  5. ↑ Rai, Saritha (15 September 2021). "Gaming-Contest App Becomes Unicorn After Lockdowns Drive Growth". bloomberg. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  6. ↑ "Mobile Premier League acquires GamingMonk; launches Esports arena". The Economic Times. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  7. ↑ Soni, Yatti (20 September 2021). "MPL's India biz turns break even; eyes global expansion". thehindubusinessline. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  8. ↑ publisher (8 October 2024). "New Research Waves Red Flag Over Gaming Scams Aimed at Kids". TechNewsWorld. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  9. ↑ Bhushan, Kul (30 May 2022). "Indian gaming unicorn MPL lays off 100 staff, exits Indonesia". techinasia. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  10. ↑ Tewari, Saumya (1 July 2021). "Esports firm Mobile Premier League launches operations in US market". mint. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  11. ↑ Laghate, Gaurav (28 February 2022). "Mobile Premier League acquires German games studio GameDuell". The Economic Times. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  12. ↑ Dilipkumar, Bhavya (30 May 2022). "Mobile Premier League to lay off 100 workers, exit Indonesia". The Economic Times. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  13. ↑ "Byju's, MPL want to exit sponsorship deal with BCCI". mint. 22 December 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  14. ↑ "BCCI announces MPL Sports as official Kit sponsor for Indian cricket team". Business Standard India. PTI. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  15. ↑ "Tokyo 2020: IOA ropes in MPL, Amul as sponsors". The Hindu. PTI. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  16. ↑ Salz, Peggy Anne (9 April 2020). "The New Playtime: The Secret To MPL's Massive Mobile Success". Forbes. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  17. ↑ Abrar, Peerzada (15 September 2021). "Gaming start-up Mobile Premier League valued at $2.3 bn, joins unicorn club". Business Standard India. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  18. ↑ Paul, Binu (15 September 2021). "MPL becomes India's second gaming unicorn after Dream11". Business Today. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
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