Company Description
Across the globe, console and PC gaming has grown to encompass an estimated 2 billion people who are expected to account for $82 billion of revenue in 2020.i Tech Crunch recently reported that an estimated three out of four people in the U.S. play video games and noted that COVID stay-at-home orders have fueled adoption.ii With the rise in gamers, competitive video gaming, eSports, has also increased in popularity, growing to a billion dollar industry.iii While competitive eSports tournaments and matches often feature a cash prize or wager, casual gamers who wish to challenge others to a match wager may find it difficult to ensure they receive the wager from their opponent and that no cheating occurs.
PLLAY Labs has developed a platform for gamers to legally wager money on head-to-head video game matches. Through its app, PLLAY allows users to wager money securely, facilitating prize collection within a few seconds of a match’s conclusion. Further, the company has developed AI and computer vision algorithms designed to actively track a match’s stream, updating scores and game time, while determining winners and monitoring for cheating, eliminating the need for human-based monitoring or outcome disputes. Since launching in June 2020, PLLAY has experienced over 31,300 app downloads and roughly 113,000 impressions.
Management Team / Advisory Board Bios
Shawn Gunn
Co-Founder and CEO
Shawn Gunn is CEO and Co-Founder of PLLAY Labs, an Artificial Intelligence-driven wagering and data analytics platform for video gamers. Previously, Shawn was Founder & CEO of PERSONA, a personal data security and monetization ecosystem. Prior to PERSONA, Shawn sharpened his deal-making skills at Traffic.com (TRFC), where he helped grow the venture-backed startup to a $179M acquisition by NAVTEQ (NVT).xiii Shawn then became Global Head of Monetization for NAVTEQ, which was acquired by Nokia (NOK) for $8.1 billion.xiv Shawn went on to build the first globalized mobile advertising network at Nokia, which was acquired by Microsoft (MSFT).xv Shawn received his BS from Florida A&M University.
Christine Krzyzanowski
Co-Founder and CMO
Christine Krzyzanowski is the Co-Founder and CMO of PLLAY Labs, Inc. Throughout her 15+ year career working with Fortune 500 companies, Christine has lent her experience and skills as a brand strategist, investor, and entrepreneur. In 2005, Christine founded The Ark Group, an agency that grew into a multi-million dollar agency before she turned 35, representing Fortune 500 brands nationally and globally, including MGM Hotel Group, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Coca-Cola, NFL, NBA Cares, SONY, and among others. Christine has been showcased as a TEDx speaker and a global speaker on women's empowerment within the workforce. She has a deep passion for helping women achieve their dreams of being in the business world, at any stage of life.
Jon Tabacjar
CFO
Jon brings over twenty-one years of experience in providing finance and accounting services to clients in a variety of industries, including IoT technology, consumer electronics, e-commerce, financial services, digital media and entertainment, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, construction, telecommunications, energy and natural gas production, aerospace and defense, software development, retail, government and non-profit, and higher education. Jon has spent the last 12 years as a Chief Financial Officer in venture-backed organizations. Prior to becoming a finance consultant, Jon spent nine years in public accounting at firms such as Deloitte, KPMG, and Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Jon received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Washington & Jefferson College. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in California and Pennsylvania.
