Guild Esports Investment Update

RNS Number : 3975Y

Blue Star Capital plc

09 September 2020

 

9 September 2020

Blue Star Capital plc

("Blue Star" or the "Company")

Guild Esports Investment Update

Blue Star Capital plc (AIM: BLU), the investing company with a focus on esports, payments, technology and its applications within media and gaming, is pleased to provide the following update regarding its investee company Guild Esports plc ("Guild").

Blue Star notes that Guild has today announced its intention to seek admission to the standard segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange ("LSE") later this year.

Guild expects to be the first esports franchise to join the LSE.  The company plans to create a leading global franchise by establishing its own esports teams to compete in major esports tournaments and a player training and scouting infrastructure modelled on the talent academies pioneered by Premier League football teams over many years. David Beckham, a founding shareholder, intends to use his global influence and following to support the development of the company's brand and business.

The esports market is forecast for further significant growth and the board of Guild considers it provides shareholders with a unique opportunity to own a franchise that intends to create revenue through tournament winnings, digital marketing opportunities, sponsorship, membership, merchandise and promotional tours/events. 

Guild initially plans to set up and field dedicated teams to compete in four online games, Fortnite; CS:Go; Rocket League and FIFA. Zeus Capital and Mirabaud Securities are acting as joint book runners and further details of the intended fundraise and valuation will be announced in due course.  Proceeds from Guild's fundraise are expected to be used to recruit new players, invest in the Guild brand and expand the Company's activities.

Blue Star holds 11.7 per cent. of the issued share capital of Guild.

Tony Fabrizi, CEO of Blue Star said, "Guild has made exceptional progress since its launch last year and the planned listing represents an important step in its ambition of becoming one of the world's top ten esports franchises within three years."

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014.

For further information, please contact:

Blue Star Capital plc	[phone]
Tony Fabrizi
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP	[phone]
(Nominated Adviser & Broker)
Jo Turner / Liam Murray

About Blue Star Capital plc

Blue Star is an investing company with a focus on new technologies. Blue Star's investments include a 27.7% holding in SatoshiPay, a payments business using blockchain technology; investments in 6 early stage esports companies with shareholdings ranging from 11% to 18% and a 0.9% investment in Sthaler, an identity and payments technology business which enables a consumer to identify themselves and pay using just their finger.

 

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