Indian esports and gaming company NODWIN Gaming is set to fully acquire German esports and gaming company Freaks 4U Gaming in a deal valued at €30.3m (US$32.5 million), as reported by Esports Insider.
The transaction, which will occur in phases, will initially see NODWIN acquire 57% of the shares, with the remaining shares to be transferred at a later date.
NODWIN Gaming expands European footprint
NODWIN’s acquisition of Freaks 4U Gaming follows a challenging period for the German company. Freaks 4U CEO Michael Haenisch announced via social media that the company would undergo layoffs to navigate the tough esports landscape.
This move came despite Freaks 4U Gaming receiving a €8m (US$8.59m) investment from NODWIN Gaming in January 2024.
The expanded investment by NODWIN involves a share-swap agreement, increasing its stake in Freaks 4U from 13.51% to 57%. The final tranche will see the remaining shares, held by Freaks 4U founders Michael Haenisch, Matthias Remmert, and Jens Enders, eventually swapped, leading to NODWIN’s full acquisition of the company. However, the exact timeline for the final transfer has not been disclosed.
Future Prospects and Industry Impact
Haenisch expressed enthusiasm about the merger, saying in a report that, “We are thrilled to be joining forces with NODWIN Gaming to create a robust network and synergies unprecedented in our industry. Akshat is an incredible visionary and leader; our partnership has been quite the ride so far, and we know the best has yet to come. With our shared vision and ambition, we look forward to driving our global expansion while spearheading innovation and growth for gaming and esports.”
Esports Footprints
Currently, NODWIN Gaming is involved in a myriad of businesses and services, such as development of intellectual properties, content production, content creation including the broadcast of international tournaments, talent management, sponsorships, activations, white label activations, as well as media rights and licensing.
NODWIN has also fielded teams in the rich Indian market for FPS and battle royale games, such as PUBG Mobile and VALORANT.
Meanwhile, Freaks 4U Gaming has also focused on integrated marketing for esports and gaming activations, and has worked with several brands such as Riot Games and Tencent.
The agency takes pride in having organized over 3000 projects, over 200 events, and over 1500 tournaments.