[Closed for Investment] Gameflip, with a valuation of $36.83 million, is raising funds on StartEngine. The company has developed a digital marketplace for gamers where they can safely buy and sell all things related to gaming. Gameflip’s marketplace is powered by advanced technology and provides gamers with a simple and safe place to flip their gaming items and assets. The company has built a community of approximately seven million gamers and has facilitated sales of over $160 million. JT Nguyen and Terry Ngo founded Gameflip in December 2014. The current crowdfunding campaign has a minimum target of $10,000 and a maximum target of $1.07 million. The campaign proceeds will be used for marketing, research and development, company employment, and working capital.
Investment Overview
Raised: $443,602
Deal Terms
Company & Team
Company
- Year Founded
- 2014
- Industry
- Media, Entertainment & Publishing
- Tech Sector
- Distribution Model
- B2C
- Margin
- High
- Capital Intensity
- Low
Financials
- Revenue -16.8% YoY
- $2,571,791
- Monthly Burn
- $50,000
-
Runway
- 18 months
- Gross Margin
- 75%
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Synopsis
Gameflip is a digital marketplace designed for the gaming community. It offers a platform where users can buy and sell gaming-related items and assets with ease and security. Gameflip has become a significant player in the gaming industry, boasting a robust community of approximately seven million gamers. The platform has seen substantial activity, facilitating over $160 million in sales, which positions it as a notable marketplace in the gaming world.
The company operates with a clear focus on the gaming industry, which continues to experience exponential growth. With an addressable market encompassing the broader 2024 US Video Games sector, Gameflip is tapping into a space that is not only culturally relevant but also financially promising. Their platform, powered by advanced technology, aims to ensure that transactions are not just simple but also secure, a critical feature in the digital age where trust and safety are paramount for online exchanges.
Despite facing challenges with declining revenues over the past three years and operating at a loss, Gameflip continues to push forward with its mission to revolutionize gaming transactions. The company has secured $10 million from Silicon Valley venture capital firms, including Bullpen, GoAhead Ventures, Lightbank, PlayNext, Alpaca VC, Symmetrical Ventures, and String Ventures, demonstrating a level of confidence from investors in its business model and future prospects.
With a valuation of $36.83 million, Gameflip is currently raising funds on StartEngine with a campaign that has set a minimum target of $10,000 and a maximum target of $1.07 million. The proceeds from this round of funding are earmarked for marketing, research and development, company employment, and working capital, all of which are essential components for Gameflip's continued growth and innovation in the gaming marketplace.
Gameflip's "The Marketplace for Gamers" tagline encapsulates its core offering and highlights its commitment to serving the gaming community. As the company seeks to expand and enhance its platform, it stands at the intersection of technology and entertainment, poised to potentially significantly impact the gaming metaverse and digital commerce within this dynamic industry.
Price
Gameflip is raising funds on StartEngine with a pre-money valuation of $36.83 million. With an annual revenue of approximately $2.57 million, Gameflip's revenue multiple stands at 14.32x. This multiple falls within the typical range for a growth-stage company in Gaming & Entertainment, particularly one that has developed a niche marketplace with a significant user base of around seven million gamers.
However, it's important to note that the company is in a pre-profit development phase and has experienced a decline in annual revenue growth of -16.8%. This contraction in revenue growth may cause potential investors' concerns and could reflect challenges in user engagement, increased competition, or market saturation. Despite this, Gameflip's successful facilitation of over $160 million in sales and backing by notable venture capital firms such as Bullpen, GoAhead Ventures, and Lightbank suggest confidence in the company's business model and future growth prospects.
For investors seeking a 10X return, Gameflip must achieve a post-exit valuation of at least $368.3 million (not accounting for dilution). This would require significant user growth, increased transaction volumes, and possibly expansion into new markets or verticals within the gaming industry. Given the company's current traction and the growing interest in gaming and digital marketplaces, such an exit is ambitious but not outside the realm of possibility, especially if Gameflip can reverse its recent revenue contraction and capitalize on its advanced technology platform.
Market
The digital marketplace for gamers provided by Gameflip is situated in the burgeoning US video game sector, a market projected to reach a valuation of $78.01 billion by 2024, according to Statista. As the industry flourishes, with a robust growth rate of 10%, the potential for a platform like Gameflip, which specializes in the buying and selling of gaming items and assets, is significant. This high-growth potential is particularly driven by the increasing trend of gamers seeking safe and trusted avenues to trade digital gaming assets.
However, the competitive landscape in this arena is extremely competitive, with many players vying for market share in a space where differentiation is key. Despite the competition, Gameflip's advanced technological infrastructure and commitment to safe transactions have allowed it to carve out a niche in the gaming community.
Considering the extensive user base and substantial sales volume, Gameflip has succeeded in gaining traction in the market. However, as with any high-growth market, continuous innovation, user engagement, and strategic marketing will be essential for Gameflip to maintain and expand its position in the competitive digital marketplace for gamers.
Team
Gameflip, a digital marketplace for gamers, is co-founded by CEO & Director JT Nguyen and CTO Terry Ngo. Both founders have a significant amount of relevant industry experience, with 10 of experienceyears each, which is indicative of their deep understanding of the gaming and digital marketplace sectors. Nguyen and Ngo have leveraged this experience to build a platform that has attracted a community of approximately seven million gamers and facilitated over $160 million in sales, showing the founders' ability to execute and successfully scale the business.
Nguyen, who holds the CEO position, has a strong educational background, having graduated from a top 100 university. His LinkedIn profile, JT Nguyen, suggests a robust professional network which could be beneficial for Gameflip's growth and strategic partnerships. As a first-time founder, Nguyen has demonstrated high-level managerial skills, which are crucial for steering the company through its growth phase.
Ngo, serving as the CTO, also graduated from a top 100 university and has a wealth of experience in the tech industry. His LinkedIn profile, Terry Ngo, showcases his technical expertise and leadership capabilities. Notably, Ngo is not a first-time founder, which implies he brings prior entrepreneurial experience to the table, potentially mitigating some of the risks associated with the leadership of a growing startup.
Gameflip has not seen team growth since the last funding round, maintaining a lean team of 10 members. However, the founders' dedication and the support from a diverse set of venture capital investors—including Bullpen, GoAhead Ventures, Lightbank, PlayNext, Alpaca VC, Symmetrical Ventures, and String Ventures—underscore the company's potential. The fact that the founders have had previous exits suggests they have experience scaling and potentially exiting businesses, which can be reassuring for investors.
Differentiation
Gameflip stands out in the crowded digital marketplace for gamers through its commitment to security and simplicity. With a robust user base of seven million gamers and over $160 million in facilitated sales, Gameflip has demonstrated significant traction within the US video games market. The platform's advanced technology underpins a secure environment for users to buy and sell gaming items, a critical differentiator in an industry where fraud and scams can be prevalent.
While Gameflip does not hold patents, its high quality differentiation and competitive price point position it as a better solution compared to established alternatives. The company's focus on building a dedicated community for gamers rather than merely facilitating transactions may contribute to its high user engagement and repeat customers. This community-centric approach and a transactional revenue model suggest that Gameflip is leveraging network effects to grow its platform and increase its value proposition to users.
Venture capital backing further supports Gameflip's growth. This funding not only provides financial resources but also validates the company's market potential. VC involvement may also signal strategic partnerships and expansion opportunities, which could be critical in scaling Gameflip's operations and capturing a larger share of the market.
Performance
Gameflip has carved out a niche in the digital marketplace for gamers, focusing on the safe buying and selling of gaming items and assets. The platform, which prides itself on advanced technology and security, has attracted a substantial community of approximately seven million gamers. This community has facilitated over $160 million in sales, showcasing the company's ability to generate significant transaction volumes within its marketplace.
Despite this, Gameflip's performance has seen some challenges. The company is currently in a pre-profit phase and has experienced a medium decline in its user base and revenue since the last round. Specifically, Gameflip reported an annual 2023 revenue of $2.57 million, representing a 16.8% decrease from the previous year. This downturn in revenue growth is a concern and may reflect increased competition in the extremely competitive gaming industry or other market dynamics affecting the company's performance.
Risk
Investing in Gameflip entails several unique risks despite its established platform and significant user base. The company's pre-profit status indicates that although it has managed to generate sales, it is not yet profitable and had an annual revenue decline of 16.8%, moving from $3,090,690 to $2,571,791. This decline in revenue could be a red flag, indicating market saturation, increased competition, or reduced demand for the services provided. These factors could negatively impact future profitability and growth prospects.
Another risk is the short-term debt of $730,038.37, which could put financial stress on Gameflip, especially if revenue growth does not accelerate. Coupled with a monthly burn rate of $127,885.53 and the latest net income figure showing a loss of $1,534,626.35, the company may face continued financial pressure. It may require additional financing rounds to sustain operations, which could dilute current investment value.
Gameflip also operates in an extremely competitive landscape with low barriers to entry, which could lead to more competitors entering the market and further eroding Gameflip's market share. The company's success is highly dependent on the continued market acceptance of its marketplace and the ability to attract and retain gamers amidst a plethora of alternatives available to consumers.
Bullish Outlook
Gameflip is poised to capitalize on the ever-growing gaming industry with its digital marketplace tailored for gaming enthusiasts. With a robust community of approximately seven million gamers and a track record of facilitating sales of over $160 million, Gameflip demonstrates significant traction in a highly specialized and lucrative niche market.
The company stands out with its advanced technological platform, designed to ensure a secure, streamlined experience for buying and selling gaming items. This focus on security and user-friendliness is particularly appealing in an industry where trust and ease of transaction are paramount.
Additionally, Gameflip has secured $10 million from Silicon Valley venture capital firms, including Bullpen, GoAhead Ventures, Lightbank, PlayNext, Alpaca VC, Symmetrical Ventures, and String Ventures. This backing from reputable VCs is a strong indicator of the company's potential and lends credibility to its operations and growth prospects.
While the company has experienced a medium decline in revenue growth and is still pre-profit, operating at a loss, the strategic application of blockchain technology positions Gameflip at the forefront of digital commerce within the gaming metaverse. As the concept of a gaming metaverse gathers momentum, Gameflip’s infrastructure and established user base could serve as a critical foundation for expanded digital commerce activities in this sector.
Bearish Outlook
Gameflip's financial situation presents several red flags for potential investors. Despite building a considerable community of around seven million gamers and facilitating substantial sales, the company has experienced a worrying medium decline in revenue, reporting a 16.8% drop in annual revenue growth. This downturn suggests a decrease in user adoption or transaction volume on their platform, a critical metric for a marketplace relying on transactional revenue. The negative revenue trend raises questions about the sustainability and scalability of Gameflip's business model in the highly competitive and rapidly evolving gaming industry.
Moreover, the pre-profit company is operating at a significant loss, with a net income of most recent fiscal year-end reported at approximately -$1.54 million. This indicates that Gameflip is burning through cash at an alarming rate, with a monthly burn reported at $127,885.53. Without a clear path to profitability and declining revenues, the company's long-term viability could be at risk.
The competitive landscape in the digital marketplace for gaming is described as extremely competitive, which suggests that Gameflip faces intense competition from other platforms and services. With low barriers to entry in the digital space, new competitors can emerge and potentially disrupt the market, further complicating Gameflip's position.
Gameflip's current valuation of $36.83 million may not be justified given its financial health and market position, which could indicate an overvaluation. This is especially concerning when combined with the company's declining revenues for the last three years. The company's valuation, paired with its negative revenue trends and substantial losses, might deter investors who are skeptical about Gameflip's future growth prospects and its ability to provide a return on their investment.
Executive Summary
Gameflip operates a digital marketplace tailored for gamers, offering a platform for the secure buying and selling gaming-related items and assets. With a technology-driven approach, Gameflip has cultivated a community of approximately seven million gamers and has overseen sales exceeding $160 million. The company prides itself on providing a user-friendly and secure environment for transactions within the gaming community.
Despite this, Gameflip is currently in a pre-profit stage and has experienced a medium revenue decline, with a 16.8% drop since the last round. The company reported annual revenue of $2,571,791 for the most recent fiscal year while also incurring a net loss of $1,534,626. This indicates user adoption and monetization challenges, which are critical for the company's sustainability and growth.
Gameflip is backed by prominent venture capital firms such as Bullpen, GoAhead Ventures, Lightbank, PlayNext, Alpaca VC, Symmetrical Ventures, and String Ventures. These investors bring capital, industry expertise, and networks that could be pivotal in Gameflip's growth trajectory. The company's next steps involve raising additional funds to be allocated towards marketing, research and development, company employment, and working capital.
The US video games market, Gameflip's primary addressable market, is known for its competitiveness and low barriers to entry. It presents both an opportunity for growth and a challenge in differentiating the platform from competitors. Gameflip's current valuation stands at $36.83 million, and it is seeking to raise between $10,000 and $1.07 million on StartEngine through the sale of common equity.
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Company Funding & Growth
Funding history
- Total Prior Capital Raised
- $8,500,000
- VC Backed?
- Yes
Growth Charts
Revenue History
Note: Revenue data points reflect the latest of either the most recent fiscal year's financials, or updated revenues directly from the founder, at each raise's close date.
Valuation History
Price per Share History
Note: Share prices shown in earlier rounds may not be indicative of any stock splits.