Novo Esports

What Novo Esports does

NOVO Esports S.r.l. is a Milan-based esports organization founded on February 22, 2023 by CEO Emanuele Acerbis and COO Francesco Alacca. The company fields competitive rosters across multiple game titles — Valorant, Pokémon VGC, Rocket League, EA FC, League of Legends, Brawl Stars, and Call of Duty: Warzone — and monetizes those rosters through four principal streams: (1) direct-to-consumer branded merchandise sold via a Shopify storefront at prices ranging from €7.50 accessories to €90 limited-edition jerseys; (2) B2B sponsorship and partnership revenue from a portfolio of roughly ten active sponsors spanning technology (Breunor, Acer Predator), apparel (Octopus Brand), payments (Satispay), tourism (Visit Saudi, Friuli Venezia Giulia), education (EF), logistics (ZÜST Ambrosetti), and consumer brands; (3) event activations including the NOVO Valorant CUP, Watch Parties at Arena Piola in Milan, and presence at COMICON Napoli and Milan Games Week; and (4) travel packages sold in partnership with tour operator 88 Destinations for the Esports World Cup in Riyadh at €1,590–€1,890 per package. There is no proprietary software platform; the underlying capabilities center on team operations, content production, event management, and an owned social-media audience of 4M+ aggregated followers that delivered 16M+ impressions and 12M+ video views during 2023–2024. Capitalization is modest: the company raised €55,000 through a May 2023 capital increase from a private investor and an additional €110,000 via a SAFE agreement in December 2023 with two private investors, totaling €165,000 of disclosed funding, and operates with 11–50 employees.

Name

Novo Esports

Legal name

NOVO Esports S.r.l.

Website

https://novoesports.gg

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NOVO Esports is a Milan-based Italian esports organization founded in 2023 that fields competitive teams across multiple game titles and monetizes them through branded merchandise, sponsorships, event activations, and travel packages.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Esports & Gaming Entertainment

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Spectator Sports (71121), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Esports Teams & Player Organizations (MPAFADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Esports Tournament Sponsorships & Partnerships (MPAGANAM), Esports & Gaming Events (THAJAFAG), Esports & Creator Sponsorship/Brand Partnerships (Influencer Marketing for Gaming) (MPAFAEAE), Publisher-Run Esports Tournament Circuits (MPAGANAA)

Keywords

• Esports organization
• Competitive gaming teams
• Esports merchandise
• Esports events
• Gaming content creation

Headquarters

HQ city

Milan

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Merchandise and apparel sales: NOVO operates a direct-to-consumer Shopify e-commerce store selling branded merchandise including jerseys, hoodies, t-shirts, caps, gaming sleeves, and limited-edition collaborations (e.g., NOVO x Octopus, NOVO x POW3R, LETSGOSKI line, EWC limited editions). Revenue is generated through one-time product purchases with pricing ranging from approximately €7.50 to €90 per item.
2. Event activations and brand partnerships: NOVO generates revenue through branded activations at gaming conventions (COMICON Napoli, Milan Games Week), Watch Party events, and proprietary tournament organization (e.g., NOVO Valorant CUP). These activations create sponsorship and partnership revenue opportunities, with partners paying for brand visibility, booth presence, and content creation.
3. Sponsorship and team partnerships: NOVO earns revenue through sponsorship agreements with brands including Breunor (technical sponsor providing PC equipment), Mirmex Store (main sponsor for Pokémon VGC), ZÜST Ambrosetti (logistics sponsor for Warzone team), Octopus Brand (apparel partner), Acer Predator (tech sponsor), and others. Sponsors receive jersey branding, event activations, and content marketing in exchange.
4. Travel packages and event tourism: In partnership with Visit Saudi and tour operator 88 Destinations, NOVO sells travel packages to the Esports World Cup in Riyadh (August 5–10), with Standard packages at €1,590 and VIP packages at €1,890, generating revenue from the markup on bundled hotel, passes, activities, and custom jerseys.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Novo Esports operates competitive esports teams across Valorant, Pokémon VGC, Rocket League, EAFC, Brawl Stars, and Call of Duty: Warzone, while selling branded apparel and accessories through a Shopify storefront. It complements competition with community watch parties, educational programs (Esports School), ticketed travel packages (EWC), and brand partnership activations for sponsors.

Product overview

NOVO Esports is an Italian esports organization offering competitive gaming teams across multiple titles (Valorant, Pokémon VGC, Rocket League, EAFC, League of Legends, Brawl Stars, Warzone), merchandise products (jerseys, apparel, accessories), entertainment events (Watch Parties, tournaments), educational programs (Esports School), and travel experiences (EWC packages). The portfolio combines competitive esports participation with merchandise retail, marketing services, and community engagement initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LETSGOSKI: Merchandise sub-brand created in collaboration with Marinoski, featuring apparel including hoodies, t-shirts, and caps. The line was launched following the success of the NOVO x POW3R capsule collection.
• ExNovo

Quantifiable outcome

• 240,000 reached users, 710,000 impressions, 4,200 peak concurrent viewers, 25,500 hours watched in 17 days
• +4 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• BreunorcoreTechnology or Integration · 25 June 2026Breunor is the Technical Sponsor of NOVO Esports for the remainder of 2026. The company provides high-performance PC equipment to support NOVO's competitive players and teams, enabling optimal training and competitive conditions. Breunor branding appears on the sleeves of all NOVO team jerseys. The partnership also includes plans for live event collaborations targeted at the competitive gaming community.
• Friuli Venezia Giulia (Regional Government)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026NOVO Esports renewed and expanded its official regional partnership with Friuli Venezia Giulia for 2026. In 2025, the partnership achieved a historic milestone by bringing Friuli Venezia Giulia into Fortnite for the first time — a national first. The expanded 2026 collaboration aims to promote the region's territory through innovative digital channels to a global audience and create unprecedented live gaming experiences that bridge generations through entertainment, culture, and discovery.
• EF (Education First)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2025NOVO Esports and EF – Education First formed a partnership bridging competitive gaming and international education. The EF logo appears on NOVO's official jerseys for the Brawl Stars and Pokémon VGC teams. The collaboration includes joint activities at Milan Games Week and COMICON, direct involvement in the NOVO Esports School educational project, and an overseas EF language and cultural experience awarded to one NOVO talent. The partnership emphasizes English language skills as essential for international esports careers.
• 88 Destinations Travel & ToursminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 202588 Destinations is the Saudi tour operator responsible for organizing NOVO Esports' travel packages to the Esports World Cup in Riyadh (August 5–10, 2025). The operator handles hotel booking at Radisson Hotel Al-Sahafa, visa support, on-ground transportation, and coordination of cultural activities (Edge of the World, Diriyah tours). Packages are sold to NOVO's community at €1,590 (Standard) and €1,890 (VIP).
• Italian Embassy in RiyadhminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 2025NOVO's CEO Emanuele Acerbis met with Italian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Carlo Baldocci at the Italian Embassy in Riyadh during the Esports World Cup. The meeting discussed NOVO's journey from its 2023 Italian founding to international achievements, the growth of the esports sector, Saudi Arabia's strategic investments in gaming (Esports World Cup, 2027 Olympics), and the role of gaming as a tool for cultural exchange between Italy and Saudi Arabia.
• ZÜST AmbrosettiminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 July 2025ZÜST Ambrosetti, a historic Italian logistics and transport company operating nationally and internationally, is an official sponsor of NOVO's Warzone team for the Esports World Cup in Riyadh. The partnership strengthens ZÜST Ambrosetti's presence in Saudi Arabia while supporting NOVO's international journey. The ZÜST Ambrosetti logo appears on NOVO's official Warzone team jersey.
• Visit Saudi (Saudi Tourism Authority)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 July 2025Visit Saudi partnered with NOVO Esports for the Esports World Cup in Riyadh (August 5–10). The partnership includes exclusive travel packages for NOVO's community to attend the EWC, featuring hotel accommodation, EWC passes, cultural experiences (Edge of the World, Diriyah), custom NOVO jerseys, VIP gaming sessions, and dinners with the NOVO team. The collaboration also enables NOVO to create engaging content from Riyadh showcasing both the competition and Saudi Arabian culture.
• Mirmex StorecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 June 2025Mirmex Store is the main sponsor of NOVO Esports' Pokémon VGC team. The sponsorship supported Federico Camporesi's historic NAIC championship win (first Italian to win the tournament) and Marco Silva's runner-up finish. Mirmex Store was publicly acknowledged as vital to the team's competitive success and ongoing growth journey.
• SatispayminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 April 2025Satispay is a partner of NOVO Esports for major gaming conventions including COMICON Napoli and Milan Games Week. Within the NOVO Esports booth, Satispay hosts dedicated activities including gaming challenges, meet & greets with NOVO talents and players, and a special welcome bonus. The partnership aims to engage the gaming community through real and interactive experiences combining digital and physical worlds.
• Acer PredatorcoreTechnology or Integration · 7 March 2025Acer Predator is a tech partner of NOVO Esports, providing gaming hardware including specialized Predator headphones. NOVO ran a promotional giveaway of limited-edition custom NOVO x Predator headphones (valued at €500 each, with 5 units awarded), conducted via Instagram in December 2025. The partnership addresses NOVO's need for reliable, high-performance tech partners who share the organization's values and vision.
• Octopus BrandcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 24 January 2025Octopus Brand is NOVO's official apparel partner. The Milan-based streetwear brand co-designed NOVO's new official jersey and will create exclusive merchandise drops, live event activations, and projects blending gaming and streetwear culture. CEO Emanuele Acerbis called Octopus Brand a 'travel companion' rather than just a technical partner, with a shared vision to inspire the next generation of fans and gamers.
• Arena PiolaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArena Piola is a Milan venue that partners with NOVO Esports to host Watch Party events where community members gather to watch major esports tournament finals (MSI, LEC playoffs) on large screens. The venue provides its space, screens, food, and beverages while NOVO provides the content and community engagement. The partnership has been renewed multiple times since 2023.
• GEARUP ValorantminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGEARUP Valorant supported the NOVO Valorant CUP tournament as a partner. The tournament reached 240,000 users, generated 710,000 impressions, 40,000 interactions, and 4,200 peak concurrent viewers.
• King EsportminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKing Esport co-sponsored the NOVO Valorant CUP, which achieved 240,000 reached users and 710,000 impressions across 17 days.
• COMICONminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCOMICON (Napoli) is a major gaming and pop culture convention where NOVO Esports holds booth activations and meet-and-greet events with players and talents, often in partnership with sponsors such as Satispay.
• CD EldenseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOVO Esports partnered with Spanish football club CD Eldense to participate in La Liga FC Pro (EA FC esports competition), expanding NOVO's competitive presence into football esports and the Spanish market.
• AfricathleticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOVO Esports partnered with Africathletics, a charitable organization, as a Charity Sponsor. The partnership promotes mutual growth and raises awareness for African athletic initiatives. NOVO also donated unclaimed competition prizes to Africathletics ONLUS (C.F.: 91020520259) per contest regulations.
• Energia ItaliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOVO Esports partnered with Energia Italia to promote energy sustainability awareness. The partnership reflected NOVO's commitment to environmental and social responsibility beyond competitive gaming.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• MOUZ: German-origin global esports organization with teams across multiple titles and a strong European identity. Comparable multi-title competitive + sponsorship model with greater capital scale and brand recognition, providing another upper-tier benchmark.
• Team Liquid: One of the largest and most established global esports organizations with rosters across dozens of titles. Functions as the upper-bound incumbent benchmark for what NOVO could become — same business model (multi-title teams, sponsorships, merchandise) at vastly greater scale and capital.
• G2 Esports: Berlin-based global esports powerhouse with teams in League of Legends, Valorant, and other titles, plus a strong merchandise and lifestyle brand. Comparable multi-title + merch business model at much larger European scale, representing the upper tier of the regional competitive set.
• Fnatic: UK-founded global esports and gaming lifestyle brand with teams in Valorant, League of Legends, Dota 2 and more. Comparable multi-title competitive + merchandise model, but with established brand, larger scale, and a much broader international footprint.

Direct peers

• Team Heretics: Spanish-origin multi-title European esports organization competing in Valorant, League of Legends, and other major titles. Directly comparable as a mid-sized, multi-game European esports org pursuing sponsorships, merchandise, and competitive qualification for major events like EWC.
• Reply Totem: Italian esports organization run by Reply, competing across multiple European circuits including EA FC and League of Legends. Direct peer on Italian geography and multi-title competitive model, backed by a larger corporate parent.
• Exalty: Italian esports organization fielding competitive teams across multiple titles. Comparable as a fellow emerging Italian esports org competing for domestic sponsorship budgets and international tournament slots.
• Mkers: Italian esports organization founded by former Italian football players, competing across multiple game titles. Direct peer on geography (Italian market) and multi-title competitive model, with similar sponsorship-led monetization and merchandise operations.

Emerging players

• Macko Esports: European emerging esports organization with competitive teams across multiple game titles. Comparable as a similarly sized, similarly resourced European org navigating the same sponsor and tournament-qualification landscape.
• Outplayed (Outplayed Gaming): European emerging esports organization with multi-title teams and tournament operations. Comparable as a fellow sub-scale, multi-title European org competing for similar sponsorship and EWC qualification slots.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NOVOEsports
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@novoesports
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/novo-esports
• Instagraminstagram.com/novoesports.gg
• TikToktiktok.com/@novoesports.gg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Novo Esports