On July 26th, Beijing time, NIP Group successfully listed on the Nasdaq (stock code: NIPG), marking its status as the "First Chinese E-sports Stock". Previously, ZhenFund participated in NIP Group's Series A funding round in 2017.
NIP Group is a global comprehensive digital sports group centered around esports club operations, with diversified businesses including event activities and digital sports talent agency services developing concurrently. It boasts renowned esports club brands such as eStar Gaming and Ninjas in Pyjamas, event brands like MAG Hongli Culture and Dawei Xianglong, as well as the digital sports talent agency eStar Entertainment, among other diversified businesses, positioning it as one of the largest and most influential comprehensive digital sports groups globally.
Shanxing Guan, former head of ZhenFund's South China region and current President of INS New Playground, expressed, "I've been watching xiaOt's Warcraft matches since I was young; he was known as the 'Chinese Beastmaster' back then. Later, through the introduction of Wu Sheng from Hero Sports, I met him when he just started the eStar team. Like a little fan, I quickly seized the opportunity to discuss investment. 'A great athlete always has the potential to become a great coach and team manager,' as Zidane was at his peak in Real Madrid at that time.
Subsequently, eStar moved its home base to Wuhan, won multiple championships, and merged with Youjun He's company, further advancing on the path of capitalization. Today, it has the opportunity to become the first stock in China's esports industry. Naturally, there are many unforeseen developments since our initial investment, but behind this lies the relentless perseverance of China's first wave of esports enthusiasts and another victory for ZhenFund's philosophy of investing in people."
ZhenFund warmly congratulates NIP Group on its achievements in the fields of esports and digital sports. ZhenFund will continue to believe in, support, and accompany all "dream pursuers" as it always has.