Champions Round

Champions Round is a technology company.

Closed

Updated: Feb 17, 2026 ·

Recent News & Mentions

Feb 1, 2023FundingChampions Round - Series A Feb 1, 2022FundingChampions Round - Venture Round Nov 1, 2020FundingChampions Round - Seed May 1, 2020FundingChampions Round - Seed Aug 1, 2019FundingChampions Round - Seed

Financial History

Champions Round has raised $11.0M across 5 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $7.0M Series A in February 2023.

Total Raised

$11.0M

Valuation

N/A

Funding Rounds Raised

Date	Round	Other Investors
Feb 1, 2023	$7.0M Series A	Human Capital
Feb 1, 2022	$2.0M Venture Round	AlleyCorp, Bam Ventures, Hoxton Ventures, Incisive Ventures, Pitbull Ventures, The Finger Group, Twenty Seven Ventures, White Loop Capital, Zigg Capital, Audrey Gelman, Jen Rubio Butterfield, Mik Attisani, Omar El-Ayat, Steph Korey
Nov 1, 2020	$1.0M Seed	B Capital Group, Cedar Capital Group, CRV, Expert Dojo, Greylock, Human Capital, Incisive Ventures, IVP, Launchpad Venture Group, Pitbull Ventures, Redpoint Ventures, Sequoia Capital, Single Fin Ventures, Alex Beckman, Dale Okuno
May 1, 2020	$50K Seed	Expert Dojo
Aug 1, 2019	$970K Seed	Launchpad Venture Group

Financial History

Champions Round has raised $11.0M across 5 funding rounds.

Total Raised

$11.0M

Valuation

N/A

Deep Dive

High-Level Overview

Champions Round was a Los Angeles-based technology company that developed a mobile app for fan engagement through round-based fantasy sports games targeted at Gen Z users. It offered free-to-play, skill-based fantasy leagues for traditional sports like NFL and NBA, as well as esports, with short-duration contests (e.g., 3-4 weeks or single events) rather than full-season formats, solving the problem of lengthy commitments that deter younger fans.[1][2][3][6] The platform served sports enthusiasts worldwide via iOS and Android apps, featuring gamification like avatar swag, exclusive prize leagues, and in-app purchases, while planning expansions into soccer leagues, Formula 1, and more esports titles by 2024; it achieved early traction with 6,000 registered users and profitability before winding down.[2][3] The company raised $10M total funding, including a $1M seed and $7M Series A, but ceased operations in mid-2023 amid founder-investor issues, laying off staff and selling assets.[1][5]

Origin Story

Champions Round was founded in 2018 (or around 2021 per some reports) by CEO Carter Russ, a serial entrepreneur and longtime fantasy basketball commissioner, and co-founder Chase Payne, a gaming veteran with 15+ years at Electronic Arts, Zynga, and as a founding member of Major League Fantasy (acquired in 2015).[2][3] The idea emerged from Russ's frustration with traditional fantasy sports' long seasons, aiming to create bite-sized, engaging leagues for Gen Z, with an esports module to educate newcomers on gameplay via predictions like "next kill."[2] Early traction included a beta launch in April (year unspecified), 8,000 installs, top-6 iOS sports app ranking with minimal marketing, and 80% user growth via friend referrals; the full app debuted shortly before its $1M seed round.[2]

Core Differentiators

Round-Based Format: Broke seasons into short 3-4 week or event-specific leagues (e.g., NFL draft), making it accessible for casual Gen Z players unlike full-season rivals.[1][2][6]
Gamification and Monetization: Users earned points for exclusive cash-prize leagues via play, swag purchases, or in-app boosts; low customer acquisition costs through viral friend invites (80% of users).[2][3]
Game Modes: Six modes like "Daily Dozen" (12 daily props), "Boost Ball" (snake draft), "Spicy Slips" (predictions), and esports integration for education.[3]
Creator Tools: Planned "Creator Rooms" (launch July 2023) for influencers to host games, monetize via engagement/sign-ups, and play with followers.[1][3][5]
Cross-Sport Appeal: NFL/NBA focus with esports (League of Legends, etc.) and global expansion plans; free-to-play with profitability achieved early.[3]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Champions Round rode the Gen Z sports engagement wave, capitalizing on shortening attention spans and esports growth by blending fantasy sports with social, creator-driven features in a market dominated by DraftKings and FanDuel.[3][5] Timing aligned with post-2021 fantasy sports boom and investor interest in youth-focused disruptors like PrizePicks, but a competitive funding winter and user acquisition challenges hit startups hard—evident in peers like No House Advantage also shutting down.[5] It influenced the ecosystem by pioneering round-based play and creator monetization, pressuring incumbents to innovate for younger demographics while highlighting risks in sports tech amid economic pressures.[2][5]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Champions Round's shutdown in 2023 after $10M raised underscores fantasy sports' high barriers, but its assets sale could revive round-based Gen Z innovations under new ownership. Trends like integrated sports betting (a planned feature), AI-driven personalization, and creator economies will shape successors, potentially evolving its model into broader social sports platforms amid growing global esports and mobile gaming. This Gen Z pivot, once a hook for disruption, now serves as a cautionary tale tying back to its core promise of accessible fantasy.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much funding has Champions Round raised?

Champions Round has raised $11.0M in total across 5 funding rounds.

Who are Champions Round's investors?

Champions Round's investors include Human Capital, AlleyCorp, Bam Ventures, Hoxton Ventures, Incisive Ventures, Pitbull Ventures, The Finger Group, Twenty Seven Ventures, White Loop Capital, Zigg Capital, Audrey Gelman, Jen Rubio Butterfield.