Big Run Studios is a technology company.
Big Run Studios has raised $6.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Big Run Studios has raised $6.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Big Run Studios is a mobile game development studio founded in 2019, headquartered in Oakland, California, specializing in competitive casual games with real cash prizes for underserved audiences.[1][2][5] The company builds skill-based titles like Blackout Bingo, Word Star, Big Cooking, and Big Run Solitaire, serving casual gamers seeking fast-paced, head-to-head matches via the App Store, powered by platforms like Skillz.[2][5] These games solve the problem of engaging traditionally underserved players by offering inclusive, rewarding experiences with boosts, strategy, and real-world rewards (where available), driving growth with over 20 million fans and recent launches like the first real cash word wheel game.[1][5]
With 13 employees and under $5 million in revenue and funding, the lean team of game veterans delivers modern twists on classics like bingo, solitaire, slots, and cooking competitions, emphasizing speed, fun, and daily play.[1][2][5]
Big Run Studios was founded in 2019 in Oakland, California, by a team of game industry veterans with over 100 years of combined experience across major brands, platforms, and development stages.[1][4] Buren Renick serves as COO, leading operations for this small but expert group.[1] The idea emerged from a hyper-focus on casual competitive mobile games for underserved audiences, shifting from broad industry work to innovative, inclusive titles that reward skill over chance.[1][4][5] Early traction built through hits like Blackout Bingo, establishing them as a fast-growing developer and publisher with a reputation for cutting-edge quality.[2][5]
Big Run Studios rides the wave of skill-based mobile gaming and real-money esports, capitalizing on the shift from luck-based casino apps to competitive, accessible titles amid rising demand for quick, social mobile entertainment.[2][5] Timing aligns with App Store growth in rewarded play and the expansion of platforms like Skillz, enabling underserved audiences—often casual or non-traditional gamers—to access Vegas-style thrills without gambling risks.[1][5] Market forces like mobile-first habits, global esports popularity, and regulatory openness to skill games favor their model, influencing the ecosystem by innovating casual genres and boosting indie studios' viability in a $100B+ gaming market.[1][2]
Big Run Studios is poised to expand its portfolio with more competitive twists on classics, leveraging its veteran expertise and Skillz integration to capture growing real-money gaming segments.[2][5] Trends like AI-enhanced matchmaking, Web3 rewards, and global mobile penetration will shape their path, potentially scaling beyond 20 million users through viral head-to-head formats.[5] Their influence may evolve by setting standards for inclusive, skill-rewarded play, solidifying Oakland's role in mobile innovation while sustaining lean growth toward higher revenue milestones.[1][2] This positions them as a nimble leader in underserved gaming, delivering the competitive edge that hooks millions.
Big Run Studios has raised $6.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Big Run Studios's investors include Bessemer Venture Partners, FJ Labs, Galaxy Digital, Gotham Gal Ventures, Makers Fund, Paradigm, Plug & Play Ventures, Transcend Fund, Uncork Capital, Bain Capital, March Capital.
Big Run Studios has raised $6.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $5.0M Seed in August 2020.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2020 | $5.0M Seed | Bessemer Venture Partners, FJ Labs, Galaxy Digital, Gotham Gal Ventures, Makers Fund, Paradigm, Plug & Play Ventures, Transcend Fund, Uncork Capital | |
| Mar 1, 2020 | $1.0M Seed | Bain Capital, Galaxy Digital, Makers Fund, March Capital |