Moku Secures $5.35 Million Funding Round to Innovate Web3 Gaming Ecosystem
This September, Moku, a prominent web3 game publisher, announced the successful closure of a funding round amounting to an impressive $5.35 million. This round was led by renowned players in the blockchain space including Sky Mavis, the creators of Axie Infinity and Ronin, as well as the a16z Games’ Speedrun accelerator program. The funds will be utilized to develop a groundbreaking web3 distribution ecosystem designed to empower gamers and creators in delivering top-notch blockchain games.
Investment Backers and Participants
In addition to Sky Mavis and a16z, other notable investment firms that contributed to this funding round include:
- Framework Ventures
- Arca
- 32-Bit Ventures
Moreover, investors such as Big Brain Holdings, Formless Capital, and angel investors including Gabby Dizon from YGG, and Luke Barwikowski, founder of Pixels, also participated in the round.
Support and Vision from Industry Leaders
Kathleen Osgood, the Director of Business Development at Sky Mavis, shared her enthusiasm regarding Moku’s potential:
“The Moku team has been a dominant force in web3, demonstrating a unique understanding of how to activate communities and ecosystems. Sky Mavis is proud to support the Moku team’s accelerated development, believing it to be a crucial component in the growth of the overall space.”
Understanding Moku HQ
Moku HQ has functioned as a launchpad and questing platform within the Ronin network, enabling players to engage with various web3 gaming experiences. Through completing quests and gacha challenges, players can earn points redeemable for NFTs, token rewards, and whitelist entries. Noteworthy web3 game studios, such as Sky Mavis with their Axie and Ronin Moku Challenge and the extraction shooter Shrapnel, have utilized this platform to deepen community engagement.
As a launchpad, Moku has facilitated the introduction of numerous projects on Ronin, including:
- Pixels
- Ragnarok: Monster World
- Kaidro
The Moku team is now focused on establishing a comprehensive gaming ecosystem where gamers and creators can collaborate as co-publishers.
Insights from a16z Games Speedrun
Robin Guo, a partner at a16z Games Speedrun, shared their perspective on the investment:
“One of our core beliefs in web3 is that it can transform distribution and growth: users receive incentives directly in the form of tokens that can direct traffic, communities can form around digital IP, and founders are encouraged to build and test in public. That’s why we’re excited to invest in Moku, as they represent the leading web3 publishers on Ronin and have the potential to redefine traditional marketing for games, aligning developer and publisher incentives.”
Moku NFT Sale and Moki Genesis NFTs
In July, the Ronin community had the chance to participate in the Moku NFT sale, where 8888 Moki NFTs were available on the Mavis Launchpad at a price of 55 $RON each. Participants could mint different types of eggs—Common, Lucky, and Divine—that could be hatched to unveil Moki Genesis NFTs.
The Moki Genesis Collection is central to the Moku ecosystem, featuring adorable 2D creatures called Mokis. The collection honors the community and partners, offering various advantages, including:
- Bonus points and multipliers for quests
- Access to airdrops and special events
- In-game benefits
Industry Praise and Community Growth
Jeffrey ‘Jihoz’ Zirlin, Co-Founder of Sky Mavis, commended Moku’s role in the ecosystem during the recent funding announcement:
“Moku has executed remarkably. They’re a integral part of Ronin’s distribution strength, showcasing that exceptional talent exists within our community and that the best builders rise from the trenches.”
This month, the Ronin ecosystem also announced that seven new web3 games are set to join the Ronin Forge program, marking another milestone in its growth and development.