Botisimo has a new investor – one that has already been using its tech to connect with fans.
Dallas esports organization Envy Gaming has made a strategic investment in the local cross-platform chatbot tool developer, adding to the $700,000 seed round Botisimo secured from Mason Bridge, LLC in October.
“Investing in a company that we already believe in, because we know their technology works and we know understand where the entertainment and streaming industries are headed, is an important step for us,” Envy’s CEO Adam Rymer said via email. “We’re actively deepening and diversifying Envy’s expertise in production, technology, content, you name it.”
Financial terms were not disclosed. As part of the deal, Rymer will join Botisimo’s board.
The new funding will help Botisimo continue the growth it has seen during the pandemic, as individuals and organizations looks for digital tools to connect with fans and clients, in areas like user acquisition and software development. Launched in 2018 by local software developer Oscar Armstrong, Botisimo has already attracted more than 100,000 users, including names like Snoop Dogg, Monstercat and members of Envy’s content creation network the Botez sisters, JustaMinx and BobbyPoff.
Botisimo’s technology allows users to manage chats on multiple streaming platforms including Twitch, YouTube, Discord and Facebook. Through the tool users can set up donations, filter negative language and create custom commands. It also allows users to track analytics across multiple online platforms and monetize content.
“The pandemic brought on a surge of usage to stream… and that momentum hasn’t subsided,” a spokesperson for Botisimo said via email. “Our purpose and roadmap have always reflected the heartbeat of our users. Increased interest from teams and pro-organizations continue to drive product innovation, and we look forward to spreading that value to all of our customers.”
The move makes sense for Envy, which has been using Botisimo’s technology for its content creators’ and professional players’ streams. Under the Envy Gaming franchise is the Dallas Fuel, Dallas Empire and Team Envy. Botisimo said it’s planning to roll out new features geared toward the esports industry and live streaming.
In March, Envy landed a $40 million Series C round led by TV station owner Gray Television. At the time, Rymer said the funding would help it build “global communities through content and engagement, similar to what the world has seen in the music, film and TV industries." He also noted that the pandemic has caused the 50-person organization (not including players under contract) to look for other streams of revenue after in-person events were closed. Envy will be hosting its first in-person event since the onset of the pandemic last year in July, when the Dallas Fuel take on the Houston Outlaws.
“Our creators and professional esports players reach millions and millions of viewers… engagement is important to those audiences. The biggest streamers and content creators in the world will tell you that the level of interaction with their fans can often be directly attributed to the performance of content,” Rymer said. “If we’re able to help up-and-coming creators and esports players… take a step towards becoming their category’s next celebrity, that is a huge benefit for Envy and something we see critical to our own growth.”
