Sliver.tv builds Theta, an ERC20-compliant cryptocurrency and content-delivery system that uses untapped bandwidth from idle user machines to serve higher-quality esports streams to local viewers. Fans earn Theta tokens for activities like daily logins and can use tokens to gift streamers, unlock premium content, or buy virtual items; since launch over one million Theta tokens have been earned and gifted by more than 980,000 users to two dozen top streamers. The Theta ERC20 tokens launched in December 2017 and the Sliver.tv platform attracted over four million visits in January. Sliver.tv says the approach will lower content-delivery costs for publishers and let creators capture more ad revenue. Theta Labs, Sliver.tv’s subsidiary, plans to launch a decentralized, user-powered mesh streaming platform in late 2018. The company has pursued token presales and venture financing to fund development and expansion. Sliver.tv uses patented technology to bring 360-degree views to traditional 2D PC eSports, giving viewers courtside seats and the ability to change perspective. Viewers can jump between 360-degree camera locations placed inside game maps to observe battles as third-party spectator positions, and the company is experimenting with more interactive camera-switching during live events. The platform supports mobile, PC and virtual reality; the company said about twenty percent of spectators at a recent event watched from VR. The 16-person team signed to stream a package of 14 eSports tournaments, and one recent tournament brought 340k viewers across supported platforms. Sliver.tv is focusing on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and League of Legends and plans to launch a Watch & Win virtual-betting feature in July using in-game coins. The company closed a $9.8 million Series A led by Danhua Capital with participation from Heuristic Capital Partners, ZP Capital, DCM, Sierra Ventures, The VR Fund, Samsung Next Fund and Sony Innovation Fund. Sliver.tv builds technology that turns 2D eSports title streams into immersive spherical footage viewable on VR headsets and mobile devices using a network of “virtual cameras.” The company records full 360-degree environments from games’ spectator modes and stitches footage for playback. At launch it hosts content from major eSports titles including Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends and Dota 2, whose combined audience on existing networks is roughly 140 million viewers. Sliver.tv announced an early beta for mobile VR on iOS and Android and plans support for PSVR, Gear VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Because of intensive stitching and data work, the platform currently offers recorded footage and clips rather than true live streams, though the team is working to improve real-time rendering and upload. Financially, the Cupertino-based stealth company disclosed a $6.2 million Seed financing to support product development and expansion.

Total raised

$36M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Initial Coin Offering

Latest activity

Feb 2018