Taunt is a Seattle-based platform that enables esports viewers to engage through game-driven social experiences, including live challenges, event predictions, and competitive leaderboards. Led by CEO Jon David, formerly Executive Producer of the Bejeweled and Plants vs. Zombies franchises at PopCap, the product aims to provide a new way to watch live professional esports matches. The company was founded inside Pioneer Square Labs and plans to release a downloadable app this summer. Taunt closed a $3M seed financing to support its early-stage development and launch. Foundry Group Managing Director Brad Feld serves on Taunt’s board of directors. Taunt builds a social competition layer for esports fans, using data and machine learning to create companion experiences for viewers watching broadcasts. The product aims to add competition, reputation, and statistics to the existing chat- and message-board experience. Taunt plans to release an alpha product to fans for feedback during the League of Legends World Championship, with early access available at TauntNow.gg. The startup is the fifth spinout of Pioneer Square Labs and has Ben Gilbert (co-founder of PSL) serving as interim CEO. The company positioned itself to electrify the game experience for expert and new fans by connecting them in a single social experience.

Total raised

$5M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Jun 2018