While many tech startups seek venture capital to fuel their growth, XBorg has taken a different path. The company is committed to building an open infrastructure that benefits the gaming industry as a whole, rather than focusing on short-term financial gains.
Founded in 2022, XBorg offers a platform that enables esports teams to create customized fan applications with gamified and immersive experiences. This innovative approach has already attracted partnerships with industry giants such as Team Liquid, Ninjas in Pyjamas, and Team BDS, demonstrating its growing influence within the esports space.
A New Approach to Funding and Growth
In 2024, XBorg secured $9 million in funding exclusively from individual investors. This decision has resulted in over 25,000 gamers and industry enthusiasts collectively owning a stake in the company, allowing them to directly influence its direction and development.
“Traditional companies prioritize shareholder returns. Our goal is to optimize for industry-wide impact by creating a public good for gaming,” said Louis Regis, Founder and CEO of XBorg.
“When your stakeholders are also your platform’s users, you can focus on long-term value creation rather than chasing short-term financial targets.”
XBorg (image via Getty)Revolutionizing Fan Engagement Through Technology
Esports organizations are constantly looking for new ways to develop lifelong fans. Many teams have explored digital platforms that provide rewards and personalized content to strengthen fan connections. However, creating and maintaining these applications can be a complex and time-consuming process.
XBorg simplifies this challenge by providing teams with the ability to deploy personalized content feeds, achievement-based rewards, and community challenges in a matter of days. This allows organizations to focus on branding and user experience without needing an extensive software development team.
“Esports teams shouldn’t have to worry about software development just to engage their fans,” said Regis.
“We handle the technical heavy lifting so that brands can concentrate on what they do best—creating meaningful connections with their communities.”
Unified Player Profiles for a Seamless Experience
At the core of XBorg’s technology is an infrastructure that consolidates fragmented gaming data into a single-player profile. This protocol gathers achievements, gameplay statistics, social interactions, and other key metrics across various platforms, offering teams a comprehensive view of their fanbase.
With access to developer tools, APIs, and pre-built templates, teams can use this data to craft unique experiences without the need to develop backend infrastructure from scratch. Regis compares this approach to Stripe’s impact on payment processing, stating that XBorg is “simplifying the technical complexities of fan engagement the same way Stripe simplified payments.”
XBorg (image via Getty)A New Model for Gaming Communities
XBorg’s commitment to a community-driven model sets it apart from traditional gaming infrastructure providers. By avoiding venture capital investments, the company prioritizes long-term development over immediate financial returns, positioning itself as a public resource for the industry.
This structure also empowers developers to propose new features and build applications using XBorg’s protocol. Meanwhile, casual gamers have the opportunity to shape the platform’s evolution based on their needs and experiences.
“When you’re building public infrastructure, it makes sense to have actual users involved in development,” said Regis. “Our community understands gaming’s needs firsthand because they’re esports fans themselves.”
The Challenges of a Decentralized Future
XBorg’s unique model raises important questions about its long-term viability. Can a community-led organization compete with companies backed by significant venture capital?
The company believes that community alignment will prove to be a more valuable asset than traditional corporate funding. As the gaming industry continues to experiment with new business models, XBorg’s approach may serve as a blueprint for how gaming infrastructure will be developed and governed in the future.
“Our ultimate vision is to open-source as many aspects of the gaming industry as possible,” Regis stated.
“By ensuring that our infrastructure is community-owned, we guarantee that it serves the entire ecosystem rather than the interests of a single entity.”
As esports continues to evolve, XBorg’s focus on decentralization and community involvement could represent a broader shift in the industry—one where the boundaries between users, developers, and owners become increasingly intertwined.
