Episoder
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In this new episode, host Sophie Vo interviews Nicola Mizon, co-founder of VIZTA DGTL, who dives into her journey from game design to becoming a startup founder in the gaming industry.
Nicola shares insights on the challenges of raising pre-seed funding, the importance of adapting your pitch to your audience, and the significance of innovation in the fashion gaming space. She emphasizes the need for more female founders in the industry and encourages women to be brave and execute their ideas. Throughout the conversation, Nicola discusses the integration of fashion and gaming, the evolving market, and VIZTA DGTL ambitions for the future with Kutur Runway, the NextGen Fashion game.
01:38 Introducing Nicola Vizon and Vizta Digital
03:06 Nicola's Journey in the Gaming Industry
05:42 The Inspiration Behind Fashion Games Leading To Kutur Runway
16:47 Founding Vizta Digital and Overcoming Market Challenges
24:17 Innovating in the Fashion Gaming Space
26:30 Fundraising State and Future Plans
40:24 Encouraging More Female Founders To Break Entrepreneurial Barriers
42:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Learn more about Kutur Runway and join their BETA list here: https://www.kuturrunway.com/
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com -
In this new episode, Sophie Vo Vo interviews Ludovic Bodin, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and author of the book 'Atomic Scaling.' Ludovic shares his journey from starting his first tech company in France at age 20 to becoming an influential figure in the gaming industry and a successful investor. He emphasizes a shift from traditional blitzscaling to a model he calls Atomic Scaling, which focuses on keeping teams small, leveraging AI and automation, and maintaining a strong sense of community and user-centric approach.
Ludovic also reflects on his personal motivations evolving from seeking entrepreneurial success (i.e. becoming a billionaire) to prioritizing freedom, impact, and supporting the rise of women in leadership roles. This intimate conversation offers insights into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, the importance of aligning with one's values, and a vision for a more inclusive and community-focused business world, instead of profit-focused.
To learn more, order the book Atomic Scaling: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Scaling-Small-Create-Growth/dp/1544544995
01:36 Meet Ludovic Bodin: Serial Entrepreneur and Investor
03:15 Ludovic's Early Entrepreneurial Journey
06:54 Venturing Abroad and New Beginnings
09:28 The Shift to Gaming and Building CMUNE
15:42 Investment Journey and New Goals
17:40 Redefining Success and Freedom
19:46 The Concept of Atomic Scaling
21:05 Writing the Book: Atomic Scaling
22:38 Entrepreneurial Struggles and Advice
23:28 Implementing the Supercell Model
24:47 COVID-19 and Investment Strategies
25:34 Writing Atomic Scaling
27:52 Publishing Journey and Book Launch
30:02 Key Concepts from Atomic Scaling
33:13 Navigating Business with Atomic Scaling
42:32 Empowering Women in Entrepreneurship
46:54 Final Thoughts and Future Vision
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In this episode, host Sophie Vo is joined by Derk, former CEO and co-founder of Paladin Studio, and co-host Tiffany Keller , a product leader with extensive experience in the gaming industry, to discuss the powerful impact of leadership retreats. They share personal stories and insights on the value of retreats, ranging from medicinal ceremonies in Colombia to silent meditation retreats in Peru, exploring different practices and their benefits.
Whatever type of retreat resonates with you, the conversation emphasizes the necessity of taking intentional breaks to reconnect with oneself, manage stress, and foster personal growth. Accessible recommendations are provided for those new to the concept, including yoga, meditation, and breathwork.
Tune in this special episode, which will broaden your perspectives on self-care and take a step back with retreats.
01:21 Personal Experiences with Retreats
04:01 The Impact of Retreats on Personal and Professional Life
07:49 Defining and Understanding Retreats
09:35 Triggers and Motivations for Intense Retreats
16:55 The Process and Benefits of Medicinal Retreats
29:36 Accessible Practices for Everyday Life
30:21 Introduction to Self-Reflection Techniques
30:45 Exploring Physical Activities for Stress Relief
31:20 The Power of Ecstatic Dance
32:21 Diverse Spiritual Practices
35:05 Personal Meditation Practices
35:58 The Importance of Retreats
41:24 Challenges in the Gaming Industry
49:35 The Value of Self-Awareness
55:59 Conclusion and Future Plans
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In this episode, we reconnect with gaming industry veteran Steve Cuss to discuss his journey from traditional to liberated leadership, starting The GamePlan Consultancy and publishing his first book, Liberated Leadership. Steve shares his insights on the challenges and rewards of fostering a more inclusive and authentic workplace, exploring the significance of authenticity, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence for creative leaders.
Steve emphasises the importance of self-awareness for leaders and the opportunities for self-transformation through retreats and personal inner work. We delve into the significance of creating psychological safety, balancing control with autonomy, and aligning personal and organisational values to find a deeper purpose in leadership.
01:46 Steve Cuss’s Journey Over the Past Year
04:05 Challenges and Insights in Leadership Training
09:34 The Evolution of Leadership in the Gaming Industry
10:51 The Concept of Liberated Leadership
15:12 Personal Growth and Authenticity in Leadership
26:45 The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership
27:40 The Importance of Deliberate Pauses
29:09 Creating Psychological Safety
30:10 The Need for Feedback in Leadership
31:39 Integrating Values and Purpose
38:22 Challenges in Leadership and Gender Differences
43:20 The Business Case for Emotional Intelligence
48:21 Practical Steps for Leaders
This conversation is a follow-up to a discussion we had with Steve a year ago, introducing the concept of Liberated Leadership, and its genesis. You can listen to that episode here:
You can buy the book “Liberated Leadership” here: https://amzn.eu/d/6lHxbAW
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In this episode, host Sophie Vo interviews Eric Tan, a highly experienced executive with 17 years in the entertainment and music industries. Eric shares his journey from being a business executive to embracing his role as a creative executive, his experiences and struggles in the gaming and music industries, and his insights on the importance of music partnerships in gaming. They discuss Eric's career highlights, including his roles at Riot Games, Sony Music, and his own company, Fifth Journey Limited. Eric also shares his vision for the future of music in games and offers advice for entrepreneurs navigating similar paths.
Interested in exploring a music partnership? Reach out to Eric here: https://calendly.com/erictanhk/call-with-eric
01:34 Introducing Eric Tan: A Music and Gaming Executive
03:55 Eric's Journey into Music and Gaming
05:38 The Evolution of Music in Games
07:41 Music Marketing Strategies in Gaming
10:38 Challenges and Opportunities in Music Partnerships
20:04 Reflecting on Fifth Journey Limited
24:21 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
31:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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In this episode hosted by Nina Kim, we delve into the leadership journey of Amy Graves, an experienced marketing strategy specialist who has led social media marketing for game studios such as Natural Motion, Epic Games, the Irregular Corporation and Square Enix. Amy discusses her transition from film to games, her journey from a behind-the-scenes role to taking on significant leadership responsibilities, the lessons she learnt on taking new roles, and her career transitions. Amy shares powerful stories on how she has built a culture of constructive feedback in her teams, adapted leadership styles across different cultures, and embraced leading with effective empathy.
01:41 Meet the Guest: Amy Graves
02:34 Amy's Journey from Film to Games
08:06 Challenges and Learnings in Leadership
15:05 Adapting Leadership Styles
28:41 The Importance of Feedback
39:58 Values and Future Aspirations
43:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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⭐️ Exclusive partnership promotion: Get DevGAMM tickets 15% off with the promo code: devgamm15 ⭐️
In this episode, Sophie welcomes Maria Chyrvona, the CEO of DevGAMM, to discuss the evolution of the gaming conference since its inception in Ukraine in 2008. They dive into the personal and professional experiences that shaped DevGAMM, including navigating the challenges of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine.
Maria shares insights into the organization of events, their business model, and the unique values that make DevGAMM's events feel like a community and personalized experience. Don’t miss out on the upcoming DevGAMM Lisbon event on November 14-15, notable speakers including John Romero, and an exciting indie developer contest with cash prizes of $100,000!
For more info, check the DevGAMM Awards 2024 info and how to submit your game.
00:37 Guest Introduction: Maria from DevGAMM
01:49 The Origins of DevGAMM
07:59 Challenges and Resilience During the War In Ukraine
17:26 Business Model and Event Organization
24:42 Creating a Unique And Personalized Event Experience
37:28 Upcoming DevGAMM Lisbon Event in November and Indie Game Awards Prize. Get event tickets 15% off with the promo code: devgamm15
44:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
⭐️ Exclusive partnership promotion: Get DevGAMM tickets 15% off with the promo code: devgamm15 ⭐️
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What is the impact of coaching and what should you expect when you receive coaching?
Some even ask: What is the ROI of coaching?
In this special coaching episode, host Sophie Vo sits down with Hannah Mattil, the Senior Team Lead for Research Operations at PlaytestCloud. They reflect on Hannah’s personal and professional growth over six months of leadership coaching.
Hannah shares her journey from initial skepticism about coaching to the valuable lessons and self-awareness she gained. They discuss the importance of self-reflection, receiving and acting on feedback, and setting clear goals. Hannah emphasizes how the coaching experience has helped her develop confidence, composure, and a deeper understanding of her strengths and weaknesses.
This episode is a testament to the transformative power of coaching and its impact on leadership and personal development. Sophie Vo openly shares her unique approach and process to coaching, with her 16 years of leadership in games.
For people considering coaching, this episode will highlight what to expect, and when is the right time to invest in yourself.
Coaching is a process that needs full readiness from the coachee for the most optimal outcome.
01:37 Special Episode: Hannah's Leadership Journey
03:33 Hannah's Background and Entry into Gaming
05:08 The Coaching Journey Begins
10:33 Overcoming Challenges and Building Confidence
13:01 Reflecting on the Coaching Experience
26:34 Applying Coaching Lessons in Real Life
29:49 Final Thoughts and Advice on Coaching
35:30 Conclusion and Call to Action
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com -
In this new episode, we sit down with Charlotte Gailledreau, a French game studio founder, narrative RPG enthusiast, and ex-Game Lead at the Oh Bi Bi and Gumi studios. Charlotte shares the story of founding her game studio, Sunny Lab, in 2022 alongside her associate Hugo Sahuquet.
They discuss their journey from mobile to console & PC gaming, the significance of storytelling in their projects, and the trials of fundraising and team building.
Charlotte opens up about the emotional and practical challenges of being a first-time CEO, emphasizing resilience, community support, and the importance of maintaining a balanced life. The episode is a heartfelt exploration of the unspoken difficulties in the gaming industry in 2024 and offers valuable insights into the personal and professional aspects of leading a game studio.
Be sure to check the upcoming launch of their new game The Witch’s Bakery 🥐 on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sunnylabgames/witch-bakery-paris-2d-adventure-rpg
01:45 Charlotte Gailledreau’s decade as a product leader in gaming
02:47 Charlotte's Background and Sunny Lab
04:16 Building Sunny Lab: Challenges and Wins
20:43 The 2024 Rollercoaster Of the Fundraising Journey
34:13 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
38:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
🙋🏻♀️ Need A Coach? Book a call with me and let’s figure it out together!
📆 🇩🇪 Don’t miss out on our networking event with Kolibri in Berlin on Sept 5th
Space is limited: Save your spot HERE!
💡 Get more leadership resources on: riseandplay.io
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
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This story serves as an inspiring example for all independent studios considering their funding options in 2024, reminding us that collective willpower and fearlessness can be as powerful as more seniority and money.
In this episode of Rise and Play, guest host Shelby Moledina returns. Shelby is a Game Director and Film Director with 30+ titles shipped, and 20+ years of experience at large and small companies (WB Games, DeNA, Double Loop Games, and more). This week, she speaks with Ayla Derrick, the founder of Cave Bear Games, an all-volunteer studio that went unexpectedly viral earlier this year.
Ayla, a newcomer to the game industry with a background in education, shares how and why she started Cave Bear Games in 2024, which has been a historically apocalyptic year in the games industry. Ayla discusses how she harnessed CBG's viral success to build the studio, and to spread the wealth far beyond CBG by creating a strong volunteer and junior game dev community. We cover essential topics such as the importance of trusting your instincts to find your own way to solve problems, networking with genuine passion, and fostering a positive studio culture.
Ayla and Cave Bear's journey make it clear that there's real power in taking fate into your own hands.
02:19 Starting an All-Volunteer Studio, for Junior Devs
20:25 Growing the Team AND a Dev Community...at the Same Time
33:04 Using a Newcomer's POV to Tackle Business Challenges in Novel Ways
37:36 The Importance of Communication, Genuine Outreach, and Passion
47:22 Like PB&J: ADHD and Game Development
54:18 Final Thoughts and Future Plans
💡 Get more leadership resources on: riseandplay.io
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
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In this inspiring episode, we switch roles with Shelby Moledina, as our new co-host on the show who interviews Sophie Vo to share her journey of breaking barriers within the gaming industry, focusing on building inclusive and conscious game companies and studios.
Sophie discusses her experiences in establishing key projects like Rise and Play, her role as CEO and co-founder of Kylan, a new game studio in Vietnam, and transitioning from corporate structures to startup environments. She highlights the importance of leadership, pitching, fundraising, and above all alignment within co-founder teams.
Shelby and Sophie discuss the challenges and learnings from their entrepreneurial ventures (Shelby was the co-founder of the studio Double Loop Games which closed in 2023), underscoring the significance of personal growth, connections, and embracing changes in the pursuit of their missions. Sophie also introduces her upcoming project, Olivya, aimed at innovating at the intersection of coaching, technology, and games.
01:30 Special Co-host: Shelby Moledina
02:26 The Birth of the Podcast Rise and Play
04:30 Navigating Leadership and Consciousness In Business
08:19 Fundraising and Building a New Studio in 2024 (Kylan)
14:07 Personal Growth and Overcoming Fears
16:11 Lessons from the Co-Founders Journey
25:37 Discovering Sophie’s ‘Why’ out of games
33:09 Continuing the leadership journey with Olivya
💡 Get more leadership resources on: riseandplay.io
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
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Share your opinion on the future of game monetization in their market research survey with a chance to win Gamesforum tickets!
In this episode of Rise and Play, new cohost Tiffany Keller joins the podcast. Tiffany has spent the past decade in product management across several billion dollars plus earning franchises at three of Gaming’s top five acquisitions and the most downloaded games of the decade. She sits down with Joanne Lacey, COO and Board Director at Adinmo, a privacy-first in-game monetization platform working with free-to-play mobile game publishers and developers.They dive into her path to the executive suite in multiple ad ecosystem roles that span Board Director of the trade body shaping GDPR for mobile, senior roles in multiple start-ups that have gone on to be acquired by larger companies and a Board Trustee for a cancer charity. Jo shares her leadership philosophy as a “Defender” to foster team cohesion in remote working, even during instability such as the Ukraine conflict. Jo shares how Adinmo is shaping the evolving relationship between the gaming and advertising industries- highlighting the importance of understanding the intersection of player behavior and brand values to create valuable ad experiences in games.
For those experiencing layoffs or wanting a change, Jo advises how your career could branch out into adjacent game ecosystem roles.
Take their survey now for a chance to win Gamesforum tickets: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RGKZDK3
02:46 Introducing Joanne and Adinmo
07:21 Jo's Career Journey
17:58 Leadership and Company Culture
22:04 Navigating the Gaming and Advertising Ecosystem
26:15 Product Market Fit and Industry Trends
34:31 Career Insights and Opportunities
37:51 Conclusion- Take their market research survey now!
💡 Get more leadership resources on:
https://www.riseandplay.io/
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
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We're excited to have on this episode a new podcast host at Rise and Play: Nina Kim. Nina is a Senior game designer who previously worked on games like Merge Dragons, Cozy Grove, and Sea of Thieves. With a deep interest in wholesome mechanics and approaches to well-being, Nina strives to contribute to nurturing creative teams within the industry. Let's give her a warm welcome on the show 👏. In this episode, we interview Crystin Cox, the Director of Business Strategy for Xbox Game Studios Publishing. Crystin shares her journey from theatrical design to a career in gaming, her early experiences in QA, and her transition into leadership roles. We cover leadership practices on how to give feedback in complex corporate environments, effective management training, and how to navigate cultural differences in business. Crystin also talks about her passion for LiveOps, her holistic approach to strategy, and her experience running the podcast 'The Art of LiveOps'.
01:27 Meet Crystin Cox
02:18 Crystin's Journey into Gaming
05:10 Early Leadership Challenges
07:19 Management Training and Growth
13:52 Cultural Influences in Leadership
20:46 Joining Xbox Game Studios
30:29 The Art of LiveOps Podcast
35:32 Future Goals and Balance
Check Crystin's excellent podcast on Live Ops: https://open.spotify.com/show/1CWGHYnXqsXeivngmKqENq
💡 You will find more leadership resources on https://www.riseandplay.io/
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
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In this new episode, we interview Charlotte Lavergne, who shares her journey co-founding Supercosi Games in 2020, a mobile studio focused on evergreen games.
Charlotte shares the context of bootstrapping the company in 2020 until they raised 2M€ in 2022. She also discusses the challenges of raising seed/Series A funding through VCs in 2024, despite having healthy financial results. She explains her strategic process focusing on evergreen games and the multiple iterations that led their team to find their 'hit' title in 2023: Word Search Puzzle Challenge, and how they keep scaling the game in 2024.
This episode is an open-hearted testimonial about the ups and downs of being a game entrepreneur, reminding all founders that whatever you are going through this year, you are not alone. We do the best with what we have and can control, and try to survive the wave(s) 🌊
01:55 Meet Charlotte Lavergne: From Gameloft to Supercosi Games
03:58 Charlotte's Early Career and Transition to Gaming
09:55 Founding Supercosi: The Journey Begins
14:19 Building the Team and Early Prototypes
20:14 Fundraising and Scaling Up
29:14 Challenges and Learnings in 2024
34:43 Final Thoughts and Reflections
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com -
In this episode, we delve into an inspiring conversation with Emma Delage, CEO of Studio Camelia. Emma shares her journey from working at Ubisoft Paris to founding her own independent game studio based in Montpellier, France. We cover the challenges and wins of starting a new game company, focusing on JRPGs, and navigating the complexities of fundraising and Kickstarter campaigns. Emma's story exemplifies resilience, conviction, and the importance of staying true to one's vision, offering invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and independent game developers, when plans A, B, C and D fall apart.
Congratulations to Studio Camelia for closing their Kickstarter Campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/studiocamelia/seed-a-vibrant-tribute-to-jrpg-classics
Follow their JRPG Alzara: https://studio-camelia.com/
02:28 Meet Emma Delage: CEO of Studio Camellia
03:46 Emma's Journey Before Studio Camellia
05:36 The Birth of Studio Camelia and JRPG Passion
09:50 Building the Team and Early Challenges
13:47 Funding the Dream: From Surveys to Investors
19:33 Kickstarter Success and Community Support
29:18 Values and Vision: Creating a Unique Studio Culture
32:31 Reflections and Future Aspirations
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com -
How to combine games and education, and is there a case for it?
We interview Melissa Cash, co-founder and CEO of PokPok, a company creating educational and engaging digital content for children. They discuss the challenges and strategies of developing non-addictive, educational content for young children, focusing on the importance of designing tools that integrate seamlessly with a parent’s daily life.
Melissa shares insights into her entrepreneurial journey, balancing professional and personal life, and highlights the critical role of networking as a CEO. We also touch on PokPok’s unique approach to early childhood education and the importance of community and collaboration in achieving success.
Pok Pok, raised $3 million in seed funding in 2022. The company was founded in 2019 after it spun out of Snowman, the small studio behind award-winning iOS games Alto’s Adventure, Alto’s Odyssey, Skate City and others.
Pok Pok is a great example of how games can be taken beyond the gaming industry to consumer and educational apps. Learn more about Pok Pok: https://playpokpok.com/
03:02 Melissa's Journey to Pok Pok
12:08 Building the Product
16:09 Marketing and Business Model
19:15 Challenges and Parental Concerns
23:20 Balancing Toddler Activities and Screen Time
24:03 The Healthy Screen Time Debate
24:40 Understanding Pok Pok's Unique Value
26:15 Challenges and Differentiation in the Market
30:36 Team Composition and Educational Approach
33:18 Reflections on Entrepreneurship
39:02 Balancing Family and Business
41:34 Future Plans and Excitement
43:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com -
In this episode, we interview Olya Caliujnaia, the CEO and co-founder at Sanlo.io, on a mission to help game businesses thrive revenues. Olya shares her entrepreneurial journey, from growing up in a family of resilient entrepreneurs, to eventually founding her own company in the gaming industry. Before Sanlo, Olya managed product and growth at Playfish, EA, Getty Images, SigFig, Wells Fargo and worked with early-stage companies as an entrepreneur-in-residence at XYZ Venture Capital.
Olya shares her process, trial and error of finding the right co-founder, the early stages of customer discovery, and the importance of building a committed and complementary co-founder team. Olya also talks about the products Sanlo offers, including web shops and capital financing for gaming companies, and emphasizes the importance of financial health and sustainable monetization, as vital components of a game business.
More on Sanlo.io: https://www.sanlo.io/
01:33 CEO Olya Caliujnaia's Journey: From Product Leader to Gaming Entrepreneur
02:12 The Entrepreneurial Path: Olya's Journey to Founding Sanlo.io
09:41 The Co-Founder Search: Lessons Learned and Finding the Right Match
12:40 Customer Discovery and Product Development Insights, Pivoting to PMF
18:01 Building a Team and Overcoming Challenges in the Gaming Startup World
24:36 SanloToday: Products, Vision, and the Future
29:08 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com -
We continue our short series on fundraising in games in 2024, following the journey of Sophie Vo, founder of Rise and Play and CEO of Kylan, a new studio created in 2024.
In this episode hosted by Clair Rozain, Sophie shares what she wishes she had known before fundraising and how she would approach it a second time with all she has learned: start by bootstrapping instead of relying solely on VC/fundraising, have a founding team who can build the product, and be critical about your business like an investor.
A hard self-reflection question: If you had to invest your own money in your business, would you do it? If the answer is no, then how can you expect other investors to invest in you too? What do you need to change or pivot to make it investable for yourself?
This episode will provide insights on mistakes to avoid before fundraising with VCs.
00:19 Launching a New Game Company: Insights and Challenges
01:16 Deep Dive into Pitching and Fundraising in 2024
10:06 Understanding the Venture Capital Landscape
22:32 Empowering Women in Gaming and Entrepreneurship
27:41 Reflecting on the Pitching Experience and Looking Ahead
30:21 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com -
In this episode focused on fundraising, we hear the stories of three powerful women and founders who raised with VCs in seed and round A between 2015 and 2023. All you need to know while you are fundraising with VCs in 2024, and asking yourself, is this the right path for you?
Julia Palatovska, Dorian Games, $19M raised.
Aurora Klæboe Berg, Megacool and Medal TV, $60M raised.
Ioana Hreninciuc, Runware (PicFinder), $3M raised.Host, Sophie Vo alongside founders Julia Palatovska, Aurora Klæboe Berg, and Ioanna Hreninciuc, share their firsthand experiences and lessons learned from fundraising with VCs, including the importance of iteration on the pitch, building a strong team of co-founders, and the journey from concept to securing investments, as a major responsibility of a CEO role.
We cover the different fundraising rounds, the impact of investors' feedback, and strategies for creating a compelling pitch. Additionally, the episode covers the dynamics of working with co-founders, the realities versus expectations of fundraising, and practical advice for other founders navigating their fundraising efforts in 2024 and beyond.
01:37 The Realities of VC Fundraising: Stories from the Front Lines
07:32 Hope vs. Reality: The Fundraising Experience
21:38 Navigating Feedback and holding Vision in Fundraising
30:10 FOMO, Fundraising Matchmaking
38:05 Advice for Future Fundraisers in 2024
Episode available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Sig-w3_2aYo
Learn more about Aurora's journey: Our Roller Coaster $1.6m Seed Fundraise
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It takes courage to build a game company. It takes courage to decide to close a company. It takes double courage to talk about it and share the learnings.
In this episode, we follow the journey of Shelby Moledina, co-founder of Double Loop Games, from the aspiring start in 2019 to the difficult decision to close the company in 2023.
Shelby shares the story of founding Double Loop Games, focusing on creating mobile games for underserved audiences, particularly women, and the process of building the company from prototyping to fundraising. Despite the eventual closure of Double Loop Games due to market pressures and funding challenges, Shelby's story is one of resilience, strategic pivoting, and commitment to her team until the last day of closing the company.
This episode sheds light on the importance of community support as a founder, self-reflection, and the courage to make tough decisions for the team's well-being and personal integrity.
Double Loop Games raised a seed round of $2.5M in 2020 and $8M in Series A in 2021: https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/double-loop-games-raises-8-million-to-create-meaningfully-charming-mobile-games
02:42 The Founding Story of Double Loop Games
03:12 From Corporate to Co-Founder: Shelby's Transition
15:13 The Early Days of Double Loop: Prototyping and Team Building
20:05 Navigating the Fundraising Landscape: Seed to Series A
28:45 Adapting to a Changing Investment Environment in 2024
32:29 The Evolution of Game Development Strategies
32:30 Insights from Soft Launch Experiences
33:26 Reflecting on the Final Months and Decision to Close
33:42 Pivoting to a New Game Concept
36:11 Exploring the Merge Game Market and Strategy Development
38:56 The Emotional Journey of Shutting Down and Moving Forward
53:20 New Beginnings: From Game Development to Filmmaking
58:57 Reflections and Future Directions
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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com - Se mer
