Kongregate
Kongregate operates a web-based gaming platform hosting thousands of free browser games for casual and core gamers globally. It serves indie developers through publishing tools, ad revenue sharing, and a virtual currency system. The company is a subsidiary of Sweden's Modern Times Group.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Kongregate does
Kongregate operates a web-based gaming platform that hosts thousands of free browser-based games across multiple genres including action, RPG, idle, puzzle, strategy, shooter, and multiplayer titles. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in San Francisco, the platform supports Flash, Unity WebGL, and HTML5 games with integrated chat, achievement, and badge systems. The company serves two primary customer segments: casual and core gamers (predominantly male, aged 13-30) who play free games on the platform, and indie game developers who use Kongregate as a publishing and monetization channel. The platform is accessible globally in 16+ languages and also offers mobile app access on iOS and Android.
Kongregate generates revenue through three primary streams: (1) advertising revenue from ads displayed before and during gameplay across both browser and mobile inventory; (2) Kreds, a platform-wide virtual currency that players purchase for in-game items and perks, with developers able to integrate Kreds into their games; and (3) developer ad revenue share, where indie developers earn a portion of advertising revenue generated by their uploaded games, paid out via check or PayPal worldwide. The company operates a self-serve product-led growth model where developers upload games directly and players discover titles organically through categories, badges, achievements, and community features. Sub-brands include Kreds (virtual currency) and Kongpanions (collectible companion characters).
The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Modern Times Group (MTG), a Swedish publicly-listed diversified entertainment conglomerate, which provides capital and strategic direction. Kongregate has pursued inorganic growth through acquisitions including Synapse Games (October 2017) and Gamaga (July 2022, $5-7M), the latter specifically aimed at strengthening NFT and blockchain gaming capabilities. Leadership includes CEO and CFO Markus Lipp and Chief Product Officer Tamara Levy. The platform maintains an active social media presence across YouTube, TikTok, X, LinkedIn, and Discord to drive community engagement.
Kongregate firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kongregate
- Legal name
- Kongregate
- Website
- https://kongregate.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Kongregate operates a web-based gaming platform hosting thousands of free browser games for casual and core gamers globally. It serves indie developers through publishing tools, ad revenue sharing, and a virtual currency system. The company is a subsidiary of Sweden's Modern Times Group.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kongregate industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Gaming Platform
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (51321), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- SIC
- Retail-Computer & Computer Software Stores (5734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Game Distribution Platforms & Storefronts (PC/Mobile/Console) (MPAFABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Web3 Game Publishing & Distribution Platforms (FSAPAGAA), Game & In-App Content Stores (BPAMADAC)
Keywords
Where Kongregate is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Kongregate business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Advertising Revenue: Ad revenue generated from displaying ads before and during games. Revenue is updated daily with up to 36-hour delay. Both browser and mobile game inventory is monetized through ads.
- Kreds Virtual Currency: Players purchase Kreds virtual currency which can be spent on games within the platform. Developers can integrate Kreds as in-game currency for their games.
- Developer Ad Revenue Share: Game developers earn advertising revenue share when players engage with ads in their uploaded games. Payments made via check or PayPal to developers worldwide.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free-to-play platform for gamers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Kongregate product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kongregate operates a web-based gaming portal that hosts thousands of free browser-based games (Flash, Unity WebGL, HTML5) developed by indie creators, with integrated community features including achievements, badges, chat, and the Kreds virtual currency. Indie developers can self-publish games on the platform and earn revenue through ad revenue sharing and virtual currency integration, while players access the games for free with optional in-game purchases via Kreds.
Product overview
Kongregate operates as a web-based gaming platform that hosts thousands of free online games developed by independent creators. The core platform provides game hosting, player accounts with achievement/badge systems, and virtual currency (Kreds) for microtransactions. The ecosystem includes Kongpanions (collectible companion system), mobile app access, and developer services for game publishing and monetization. The platform organizes games across genres including action, arcade, RPG, idle, puzzle, strategy, shooter, multiplayer, and simulation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kreds: Virtual currency used on the Kongregate platform for purchasing virtual goods and accessing premium features
- Kongpanions
Products and services
- Kongregate Gaming Platform A web-based gaming platform offering thousands of free online games across multiple genres (action, arcade, RPG, idle, puzzle, strategy, shooter, multiplayer, simulation) with user accounts, achievements, badges, chat, and the Kreds virtual currency. Targets individual gamers seeking free browser-based gameplay.
- Kreds Virtual Currency Platform-wide virtual currency that players purchase to unlock in-game features, virtual goods, and premium perks; developers can integrate Kreds as in-game currency for their games.
- Indie Game Developer Publishing Services Self-serve platform for indie developers to upload, host, and monetize browser-based games on Kongregate, with built-in support for achievements, chat, badges, and ad revenue sharing (paid via check or PayPal worldwide).
- Kongregate Mobile App Mobile application on iOS and Android providing access to Kongregate games on mobile devices with home screen installation support.
Quantifiable outcome
- Platform reaches over 3 million users in the United States alone
Companies that use Kongregate
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Kongregate technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Kongregate partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Kongregate competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CrazyGames: Browser-based HTML5 game portal with self-serve developer publishing and ad-supported free-to-play model. Competes directly for browser-based indie game distribution.
- Y8: Free browser gaming portal with thousands of HTML5/Flash games across genres, ad-supported revenue model, and global reach. Directly comparable audience and content positioning.
- Game Jolt: Indie game distribution platform with self-publishing, free and paid titles, and community engagement features. Comparable in indie developer focus and platform model.
- Armor Games: Browser-based game portal hosting free Flash/HTML5 games with developer publishing and ad-supported monetization. Directly comparable to Kongregate in audience, business model, and content library approach.
- itch.io: Indie game distribution platform supporting self-serve developer uploads, free and paid games, and a community-driven discovery model. Closest modern analogue to Kongregate's indie publishing flywheel.
- Newgrounds: Long-running browser gaming and animation community with user-submitted games and strong community features (badges, medals, BBS). Directly comparable as a legacy browser gaming portal with self-publishing.
- AddictingGames: Browser gaming portal focused on casual and Flash-era HTML5 games with ad-supported monetization. Historical direct peer in the browser gaming category.
Broad incumbents
- Roblox: Massive user-generated gaming platform with developer monetization and a young-skewing audience. Overlaps with Kongregate's user-generated, free-to-play, developer-monetization model at much larger scale.
- Miniclip: Established web and mobile gaming portal with casual and core gaming titles. Comparable as a cross-platform (browser + mobile) game publisher with a global audience.
- Steam (Valve): Dominant PC/console digital game distribution platform with developer publishing, community features, and a virtual economy (Steam Marketplace). Comparable as a multi-revenue-stream game distribution incumbent.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kongregate social profiles
Digital presenceKongregate financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kongregate leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Kongregate subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Kongregate funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kongregate M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kongregate
What does Kongregate do?
Kongregate operates a web-based gaming portal that hosts thousands of free browser-based games (Flash, Unity WebGL, HTML5) developed by indie creators, with integrated community features including achievements, badges, chat, and the Kreds virtual currency. Indie developers can self-publish games on the platform and earn revenue through ad revenue sharing and virtual currency integration, while players access the games for free with optional in-game purchases via Kreds.
Is Kongregate a public or private company?
Kongregate is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Kongregate founded?
Kongregate was founded in 2006. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Kongregate based?
Kongregate is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kongregate make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Advertising Revenue is the primary driver. The others are kreds Virtual Currency and developer Ad Revenue Share.
Who are Kongregate's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CrazyGames, Y8, Game Jolt, Armor Games, itch.io, Newgrounds and AddictingGames. Broad incumbents are Roblox, Miniclip and Steam (Valve).
Does Kongregate have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kongregate.
What industry is Kongregate in?
Kongregate's product category is Online Gaming Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFABAB, Digital Game Distribution Platforms & Storefronts (PC/Mobile/Console), with a secondary code of FSAPAGAA, Web3 Game Publishing & Distribution Platforms. Its NAICS code is 51321 and its SIC code is 5734.