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SquareTwo develops a patented Rewards Platform, enabling casual game developers and app publishers to integrate real-world rewards into their applications. The platform provides a versatile SDK for seamless implementation, offering an extensive catalog of physical and digital redemptions. It manages the entire reward process, from curation to fulfillment, utilizing minimal UI components and real-time updates.
Founded in 2016, SquareTwo was established by CEO Dave Yoo. He identified the opportunity to enhance player retention and monetization in casual games through tangible rewards. Leveraging substantial experience from gaming and digital media, Yoo guided the team to experiment with game dynamics, cultivating player loyalty via innovative reward mechanisms.
SquareTwo's product serves any app or website seeking to boost user engagement and loyalty with real-world incentives. The company envisions empowering developers to "supercharge" their games, delivering joy through rewarding player experiences. They aim to be the definitive solution for integrating impactful reward systems that foster continuous interaction.
SquareTwo has raised $2.0M across 1 funding round.
SquareTwo has raised $2.0M in total across 1 funding round.
SquareTwo has raised $2.0M in total across 1 funding round.
SquareTwo's investors include Bright Sucess Capital, Marcy Venture Partners, Marc Benioff, Cota Capital, Felicis Ventures, GFT Ventures, Pear VC, Walden Catalyst Ventures.
SquareTwo has raised $2.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $2.0M Seed in August 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2017 | $2M Seed | — | Bright Sucess Capital, Marcy Venture Partners, Marc Benioff, Cota Capital, Felicis Ventures, GFT Ventures, Pear VC, Walden Catalyst Ventures | Announced |
SquareTwo is a San Francisco-based mobile games publisher founded in 2016 that develops simple, engaging casual games where in-game points hold real-world value, redeemable for actual goods via its proprietary Media and Rewards platform.[1][4][6] Its flagship title, *verydice*, features a straightforward game loop encouraging sharing, engagement, and redemptions, targeting casual gamers seeking rewarding play experiences; the company achieved monthly profitability by mid-2017 post-iOS launch, with backing from Walden VC and Translink Capital, and operates with a small team under 25 employees generating under $5 million in revenue.[1][4][6]
SquareTwo serves casual mobile gamers worldwide, solving the problem of low retention and monetization in free-to-play games by tying points to tangible rewards, fostering loyalty and virality without heavy reliance on ads or in-app purchases.[1][4] Growth momentum includes early profitability and investor support, though recent public updates are limited, indicating a lean operation focused on iterative game development.[1][6]
SquareTwo was founded in 2016 by Dave Yoo (Co-founder & CEO) and Ben Yee (Co-founder & CTO) in San Francisco, California.[1][4] Yoo brings operating experience scaling startups like Netblue, Social Concepts (acquired by Big Fish Games then Churchill Downs), POPSUGAR, and 3Q Digital (acquired by Harte Hanks), while Yee offers full-stack engineering expertise from RemarQ (acquired by Critical Path), Kabam (acquired by Netmarble), Involver, Lytro, eBay, and Vouch Financial.[4]
The idea emerged from experimenting with retention and monetization in simple gameplay dynamics, leading to the mid-2017 iOS launch of *verydice*, which quickly generated monthly profits through its compelling share-engage-redeem loop.[1][4] A pivotal moment came in 2017 when Walden Venture Capital partnered with the company, providing key validation and resources amid strong early growth in user acquisition and churn metrics.[4]
SquareTwo rides the wave of rewarded casual gaming, a trend in mobile where free-to-play models evolve beyond ads toward real-world incentives to combat declining user attention spans and app store saturation.[1][4] Timing aligns with post-2017 mobile gaming maturity, where viral loops and loyalty mechanics gained traction amid privacy changes and ad fatigue, positioning SquareTwo favorably in a market favoring sustainable monetization over hyper-casual churn.[1]
Market forces like rising demand for "joyful" gaming experiences and redeemable ecosystems amplify its approach, influencing the casual sector by proving small teams can profit via rewards platforms.[6] It contributes to the startup ecosystem through Walden-backed innovation, though its niche focus limits broader disruption compared to giants like Playco or Big Fish alumni networks.[4][6]
SquareTwo's lean, profitable model positions it well for expansion into new casual titles or platform licensing, potentially scaling its rewards tech amid growing interest in gamified loyalty apps.[1][6] Trends like Web3 integrations or AI-driven personalization could shape its path, enhancing viral growth if the team leverages founder exits for partnerships. Its influence may evolve from indie publisher to rewards infrastructure provider, amplifying joy in casual gaming—echoing its origins in simple, rewarding play that hooked players from day one.[4][6]
