The following is a press release provided to InvenGlobal and has been published verbatim.

▲ photo by Robert Paul | Paul De Leon for Blizzard Entertainment | Riot Games



Artist Capital Management LLC, the global, growth-oriented investment management firm, has raised $100 million for its first fund, the Artist Esports Edge Fund. The Edge Fund seeks to provide institutional investors with concentrated exposure to leading esports companies.



Artist Capital Management, an investor in 100 Thieves and Washington Justice owner Washington Esports Ventures, believes esports is a groundbreaking secular growth theme based on global viewership and revenue.



Artist Capital Management constructed the Edge Fund to provide institutional investors with pure-play exposure to the esports investment theme. The fund takes concentrated positions in leading, private companies that it believes are well positioned to benefit from industry tailwinds.



"Similar to the evolution of other internet verticals, we expect that a small number of esports companies will eventually win the lion's share of industry revenue and market capitalization," said Josh Dienstag, Artist Capital Management's Chief Investment Officer. "We hope to partner with the entrepreneurs who are building those winning platforms."



The Edge Fund's current investments include 100 Thieves, the Los Angeles-based lifestyle brand and esports organization, Washington Esports Ventures, the owner of the Washington Justice team in the Overwatch League, and leading chatting and viewing apps in the ecosystem.