Press Release Archives - Skillz: Competitive Mobile Games Platform & Software

Skillz Ranked Among America’s Top Private Companies on Inc.’s Private Titans of 2020 List

By Isabella Ojeda on April 27, 2020 in Press Release

Inc. Magazine named Skillz to their Private Titans of 2020 list, ranking the leading competitive mobile games platform among the top 1,000 most dynamic and inspiring private companies in the United States. Skillz was listed alongside other prominent private innovators and disruptors, including Airbnb, DoorDash, Epic Games, Snowflake, Unity, and SpaceX.

“Today, staying connected to our friends, families and communities is more important than ever. Skillz is honored to be named to Inc. Magazine’s Private Titans list, and we remain committed to connecting players around the world through fair, fun and meaningful competition,” said Andrew Paradise, Skillz founder and CEO.

Inc. developed the list in partnership with PrivCo., which has developed an extensive database of privately held companies. The Inc. Private Titans list utilizes financial modeling and other methodologies to analyze company performances, generating qualitative insights and investment guidance that determine listings. The 1,000 companies on Inc.’s list were judged on a weighted score based on measures like sales and employee growth, balance sheet strength, valuation, and ability to raise capital.

Inc. Magazine previously named Skillz the #1 fastest-growing company in America on the Inc. 5000. For more information on Skillz-enabled games and implementing mobile esports competitions, visit www.skillz.com or email launch@skillz.com.

Press Contact

pr@skillz.com

Skillz Partners with the American Red Cross to Help Alleviate Blood Shortages Due to Coronavirus

By Isabella Ojeda on March 27, 2020 in News, Press Release

Play Games. Give Blood. Save Lives.

Skillz, the leading mobile games platform that connects players around the world in fair, fun, and meaningful competition, today announced a new fundraising initiative with the American Red Cross. Through proceeds from mobile esports tournaments, Skillz will help the American Red Cross ensure hospital shelves are stocked with lifesaving blood for patients in need during the coronavirus emergency.

“Due to the coronavirus outbreak, blood drives continue to be cancelled at an alarming rate — about 8,000 so far — but we continue to urge blood drive hosts to maintain scheduled blood drives whenever possible,” said Jennifer Adrio, Executive Officer for the Northern California Coastal Region at the American Red Cross. “Proceeds from Skillz will help the Red Cross continue to deliver its lifesaving mission nationwide due to this public health emergency.”

Skillz is transforming the way modern charities and nonprofits engage with donors, enabling anyone with a mobile device to donate to great causes by playing games. The company previously partnered with the American Red Cross to support the families and communities affected by the 2019 California wildfires, raising over $41,000 in one tournament.

“During this pandemic, it’s important that we do our part by rallying the Skillz community to aid our healthcare systems and the professionals on the front lines,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO and founder of Skillz. “Our partnership with the American Red Cross will help make sure they have the tools and funds to serve communities in need during this crisis.”

Skillz players will be able to contribute by entering Skillz mobile tournaments Saturday March 28 through Sunday, March 29. 100% of tournament proceeds will go towards ensuring continued delivery of the vital American Red Cross mission nationwide.

Skillz will additionally encourage its 30 million registered players to pledge and donate at their nearest American Red Cross Blood Donation Center.

Players can find a game and participate at games.skillz.com. After logging in, look for the “Red Cross COVID19 G4G” event.*

The Red Cross supplies nearly 40% of the nation’s blood supply. Blood donation is essential to ensuring community health, and shortages could impact patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents, cancer patients and other emergencies. Donating blood is still a safe process, and people should not hesitate to give blood in order to help patients. For more information on the Red Cross or how to donate blood, please visit redcrossblood.org.

Skillz is harnessing the power of its platform to support a range of important causes, and has worked with a range of organizations including the American Cancer Society and The World Wildlife Fund, in addition to the American Red Cross. Last year, Skillz hosted the largest charity tournament in mobile esports history by partnering with Susan G. Komen, and raising more than $120,000 from more than 25,000 participating mobile game competitors in just 10 days of tournaments.

*New events may take up to one hour to show up after installing the game.

About Skillz Inc.

Skillz is the leading mobile games platform that connects players around the world in fair, fun and meaningful competition. The Skillz marketplace helps developers build multi-million dollar franchises by enabling social competition in their games. Leveraging its patented technology, Skillz hosts billions of casual esports tournaments for 30 million mobile players worldwide and distributes over $60 million in prizes each month. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by leading venture capitalists, media companies, and professional sports leagues and franchises. Skillz has earned recognition as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC’s Disruptor 50, Forbes’ Next Billion-Dollar Startups, and the #1 fastest-growing company in America on the Inc. 5000.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Press Contact

pr@skillz.com

Top 10 Mobile Esports Athletes of the Decade Won $33 Million

By Isabella Ojeda on March 11, 2020 in Players, Press Release

Seven of the Top 10 Players Are Women

Skillz, the leading mobile games platform that connects players around the world in fair, fun, and meaningful competition, today announced the top mobile esports athletes of the decade, who earned a total of $33 million in prizes. Seven of the top winners are women, including the #1-ranked HestiaX, who ranks sixth on the list of the world’s top-earning esports players across the entire industry. The top champions are:

Top Mobile Esports Athletes of the Decade

“The growth of esports prizes and prestige reflects a newdigital age where billions of people are playing mobile games,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO and founder of Skillz. “The top 10 mobile esports athletes of 2019 have tripled their earnings, winning $24 million compared to the $8 million of 2018’s top players – a testament to the growth of Skillz and esports as a whole.”

Top Mobile Esports Athletes of 2019

“I never imagined that I’d become one of the top mobile gamers in the world,” says Jennifer ‘HestiaX’ Tu, a Harvard University senior. “Skillz lets me flex my video game talent and take it to the highest level, competing against millions worldwide.”

Esports prizes have also increased across the board, increasing by 32 percent from 2018-2019. Esports athletes such as Kyle ‘Bugha’ Giersdorf, the 2019 “Fortnite” World Cup champion, earned $3 million this year in a single tournament – winning more prize money than Tiger Woods did at the 2019 Masters.

The top Skillz competitors are ranked based on total tournament prizes won by each player, excluding any entry fees paid to enter those tournaments. For more information on Skillz-enabled games and implementing mobile esports competitions, visit www.skillz.com or email launch@skillz.com.

About Skillz

Skillz is the leading mobile games platform that connects players around the world in fair, fun and meaningful competition. The Skillz marketplace helps developers build multi-million dollar franchises by enabling social competition in their games. Leveraging its patented technology, Skillz hosts billions of casual esports tournaments for 30 million mobile players worldwide and distributes over $60 million in prizes each month. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by leading venture capitalists, media companies, and professional sports leagues and franchises. Skillz has earned recognition as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC’s Disruptor 50, Forbes’ Next Billion-Dollar Startups, and the #1 fastest-growing company in America on the Inc. 5000.

Press Contact: pr@skillz.com

Latest News & Updates

Skillz Ranked Among America’s Top Private Companies on Inc.’s Private Titans of 2020 List

Skillz Partners with the American Red Cross to Help Alleviate Blood Shortages Due to Coronavirus

Top 10 Mobile Esports Athletes of the Decade Won $33 Million

NFL Icons Steve Young & Jerry Rice Team with Skillz for Charity Tournament

Skillz Appoints Laurence Tosi to Board of Directors

$8 Million Won by Top 10 Mobile eSports Athletes in 2018

Developers

Players

Company