CEO / Founder
Skillz
Skillz provides a cloud‑native platform that adds head‑to‑head cash‑prize tournaments to any supported mobile game. Its SDK and APIs handle skill‑based matchmaking, anti‑cheat verification, payment processing and analytics, allowing developers to monetize through revenue sharing while players compete for real‑world rewards.
- Gaming & eSports
Updated 5 months ago
Funding
Raised to date
$159MRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
+1Funding rounds are not available yet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Mobile gamers who want skill‑based competition often encounter games that rely on luck, feature bot opponents, or lack transparent, fair matchmaking, making it difficult to earn real cash or meaningful rewards. At the same time, independent mobile game developers struggle to monetize their titles beyond ads and in‑app purchases because there is no turnkey infrastructure for competitive play and prize distribution.
Solution
Skillz operates a cloud‑native mobile gaming platform that transforms any supported game into a head‑to‑head competitive experience. The platform matches players with opponents of comparable skill using proprietary matchmaking algorithms, ensuring balanced contests without bots. Players can enter cash‑prize tournaments or earn virtual “Z” currency and tickets that are redeemable for real‑world rewards. For developers, Skillz provides an SDK and API suite that integrates tournament logic, payment processing, and analytics, enabling a revenue share model that scales with the number of paying participants. The end‑to‑end solution delivers fair competition, secure prize payouts, and a sustainable monetization pathway for both players and developers.
Target Audience
The primary users are mobile gamers seeking skill‑based, cash‑prize competition, and independent mobile game developers who want to monetize their titles through competitive tournaments and revenue sharing.
Features
- Proprietary skill‑based matchmaking engine that pairs real players of similar ability in real time.
- Bot‑detection and anti‑cheat layer that guarantees all matches are human‑only.
- Integrated tournament and bracket system supporting single‑match, multi‑round, and live‑bracket formats.
- Virtual currency (“Z”) and ticket system with a prize store offering cash, electronics, and experiences.
- Secure payment gateway and near‑instant withdrawal processing for cash winnings.
- Cross‑platform SDKs (iOS, Android, Unity, Web) with API access for game integration and real‑time analytics.
- Developer dashboard providing revenue reporting, player engagement metrics, and A/B testing tools.
- Loyalty program (Skillz Rewardz) that boosts ticket earnings and offers premium support for high‑volume players.
- Compliance‑ready data handling and role‑based access controls to protect user information.