Blacknut
Blacknut is a Paris-based cloud gaming platform that streams 1,000+ premium games to smart TVs, PCs, mobile, and browsers via D2C subscriptions and telecom carrier partnerships across 65+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersCesson-sévigné, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Blacknut does
Blacknut is a Paris-based cloud gaming platform founded in 2016 that streams a catalog of 1,000+ premium PC and console-quality games across consumer devices without downloads or dedicated gaming hardware. The core technology is a cloud-streaming platform with native applications on Samsung Smart TVs (via Gaming Hub), LG TVs (webOS), Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, Titan OS, VIDAA OS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS (via PWA), Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Galaxy Store, and major web browsers. Differentiated features include up to 5 profiles per subscription with synchronized cloud saves and parental controls, support for up to 4 controllers (including a Gamepad Companion app that turns smartphones into virtual controllers via QR-code pairing), and integration with Ubisoft Connect for unified publisher-side account management.
The company operates a hybrid go-to-market: a self-serve direct-to-consumer subscription anchored at $7.49/month annually (with optional Pass add-ons from Ubisoft, SNK, and Focus Entertainment ranging up to $33.98/month), and a B2B2C channel embedding Blacknut within telecom carrier data plans in 65+ countries through 78+ carrier partners (Jio in India, VNPT in Vietnam, True Corporation in Thailand, Etisalat in UAE, plus operators across MENA, LATAM, APAC, and North America). Blacknut is one of the few cloud gaming providers to inherit Activision/Blizzard streaming rights transferred from Microsoft to Ubisoft, giving it access to high-profile catalog titles.
Revenue mechanics combine subscription recurring revenue from D2C and revenue-share arrangements with telecom partners. The company has raised strategic funding from Square Enix (June 2022) and Shochiku Ventures (September 2025), and participated as an investor in infrastructure peer Radian Arc's $10M Series B (October 2024) alongside BITKRAFT Ventures and AMD Ventures.
Blacknut firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Blacknut
- Legal name
- Blacknut
- Website
- https://blacknut.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Blacknut is a Paris-based cloud gaming platform that streams 1,000+ premium games to smart TVs, PCs, mobile, and browsers via D2C subscriptions and telecom carrier partnerships across 65+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Blacknut industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cloud Gaming
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Game Streaming Aggregators & Hubs (Multi-service launchers, catalogs) (MPAFAHAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Billing, Subscription & Entitlement Management (IAP orchestration) (MPAFAJAC), Cloud Gaming Storefronts & Channels (MPAFACAF), Cloud Gaming Billing, Identity & Entitlement Services (SSO, account linking, DRM) (MPAFAHAK)
Keywords
Where Blacknut is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cesson-sévigné
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Blacknut business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Consumer Subscription - Base Plan: Monthly or annual subscription providing unlimited access to over 1,000 games included in the base Blacknut catalog. Includes 5 player profiles, cloud saves, cross-device play, and optional Pass add-ons for expanded content.
- Pass Add-on Subscriptions: Additional subscription tiers including Ubisoft+ Classics ($23.98/month after trial), Ubisoft+ Premium ($33.98/month after trial), SNK Pass ($20.98/month after trial), and Focus Entertainment Pass ($21.98/month after trial) that provide access to curated game collections from specific publishers.
- B2B2C Carrier Partnerships: Revenue generated through partnerships with telecom carriers who bundle Blacknut's gaming service with their mobile/data plans. Users access Blacknut through carrier billing, with revenue share arrangements between Blacknut and telecom partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual subscription with 1 free Ubisoft game |
| Subscription | Monthly | Ubisoft+ Classics add-on (50 Ubisoft Standard Editions) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Ubisoft+ Premium add-on (100 Ubisoft Premium Editions) |
| Subscription | Monthly | SNK Pass add-on (28 SNK titles) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Focus Entertainment Pass (20 titles) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Blacknut product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Blacknut operates a cloud gaming streaming platform that lets subscribers instantly play over 1,000 premium PC and console-quality games across smart TVs, computers, tablets, and mobile phones without downloads or dedicated gaming hardware. The service is offered both directly to consumers via subscription (with optional add-on Passes for Ubisoft, SNK, and Focus Entertainment content) and through B2B2C telecom carrier partnerships that bundle the gaming service with mobile data plans.
Product overview
Blacknut is a Paris-based cloud gaming platform offering a subscription-based service with over 1,000 premium games accessible across multiple devices without downloads or dedicated gaming hardware. The core platform enables streaming on Smart TVs, computers, tablets, and mobile devices through native apps and web browsers. The offering combines a base subscription (starting at $7.49/month annually) with optional add-on Passes that provide curated game collections from publishers including Ubisoft+ (with Premium tier offering 100+ titles including Day 1 releases), Ubisoft+ Classics (50 standard editions), SNK (28 games), and Focus Entertainment (20 titles). Users can create up to 5 independent profiles with individual saves and parental controls, connecting up to 4 controllers for multiplayer. The platform features a Gamepad Companion app turning smartphones into virtual controllers, and integrates with Ubisoft Connect for account linking. Blacknut distributes its service through direct consumer subscriptions as well as telecom carrier partnerships globally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Blacknut Cloud Gaming Platform Subscription-based cloud gaming service enabling individuals and families to instantly stream over 1,000 premium games on smart TVs, computers, tablets, and mobile devices without downloads, with up to 5 player profiles, cloud saves, parental controls, and cross-device play.
- Ubisoft+ Classics Pass Add-on subscription pass providing access to 50 Ubisoft Standard Edition titles within the Blacknut cloud gaming platform, priced at $15.99 first month and $23.98/month thereafter, with a 50% Blacknut subscription discount included.
- Ubisoft+ Premium Pass Premium add-on subscription pass offering 100 Ubisoft Premium Edition titles including Day 1 releases, Early Access, and DLCs, plus access to Activision/Blizzard content via Ubisoft streaming rights, priced at $25.99 first month and $33.98/month thereafter.
- SNK Pass Add-on subscription pass providing access to 28 SNK games (including METAL SLUG, SAMURAI SHODOWN, and KING OF FIGHTERS titles) on the Blacknut cloud gaming platform, priced at $9.99 first month and $20.98/month thereafter.
- Focus Entertainment Pass Add-on subscription pass providing access to 20 Focus Entertainment titles (including A Plague Tale, The Surge series, and Vampyr) on the Blacknut cloud gaming platform, priced at $9.99 first month and $21.98/month thereafter.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,000+ premium games accessible instantly without downloads
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Blacknut
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Blacknut technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration24 records
Feature4 records
Blacknut partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.
- True Corporation (TrueID)strategicTrue Corporation partnered with Radian Arc and Blacknut to launch Android cloud gaming in Thailand branded as 'TrueID Game hub'. The service enables millions of TrueID subscribers to stream 1,000+ premium games on smartphones and set-top boxes via True's 5G network, powered by Radian Arc's GPU edge platform.
- UbisoftcoreBlacknut integrated Ubisoft+ Premium into its cloud gaming platform, providing access to 100 Ubisoft Premium Editions including day-one releases, early access titles, and DLCs. Through this integration, Blacknut also secured access to Activision Publishing and Blizzard Entertainment titles via Ubisoft's exclusive 15-year cloud streaming rights obtained as a regulatory remedy during Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
- VNPTstrategicVNPT partnered with Radian Arc and Blacknut to launch GPU infrastructure and cloud gaming services in Vietnam. VNPT's 5G users can access Blacknut's catalog of 1,000+ games bundled with their data plans through Radian Arc's GPU Edge Platform. The deployment also establishes foundation for AI Points of Presence across Vietnam.
- LG ElectronicsstrategicLG expanded its Gaming Portal by adding cloud-based and casual games including titles from Blacknut. Blacknut's games are accessible directly on LG Smart TVs, enabling users to play premium cloud gaming content without additional hardware.
- NVIDIAstrategicLG announced collaboration with NVIDIA making LG TVs the first to support 4K 120Hz HDR cloud gaming via the GeForce NOW app. Blacknut is among the expanded partnerships with Blacknut and Play.Works to broaden LG's game catalog.
- Reliance JiostrategicReliance Jio, India's largest digital services company, partnered with Blacknut to expand its JioGames Cloud service. The service is powered by Blacknut's game library and Radian Arc's GPU Edge technology, targeting Jio's 191 million 5G subscribers with high-quality, low-latency gaming accessible on multiple devices.
- Etisalat UAEstrategicEtisalat UAE partnered with Blacknut and MobiBox to bring cloud gaming to millions of subscribers in the UAE. The collaboration enables access to Blacknut's catalog of 500+ premium games via direct carrier billing and mobile wallet solutions, simplifying subscription and payment processes.
- Radian ArccoreRadian Arc and Blacknut entered into strategic and technology partnerships aimed at advancing the cloud gaming ecosystem. Radian Arc provides GPU edge infrastructure that Blacknut's gaming platform runs on. Blacknut is also an investor in Radian Arc's Series B funding round. The partnership enables carrier-embedded GPU cloud gaming services deployed within telecom networks.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Blacknut competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Amazon Luna: Amazon's cloud gaming subscription service bundled with Prime and Twitch. Comparable to Blacknut's D2C tiered catalog model and competes for the same household gamer audience.
- NVIDIA GeForce NOW: NVIDIA's consumer cloud gaming service streams a library of PC games to multiple devices. It is the most direct competitor to Blacknut on subscription cloud gaming for premium PC/console titles.
- Boosteroid: European cloud gaming provider offering subscription streaming of PC games across devices. Closely comparable on subscription pricing, catalog breadth, and cross-device delivery.
- Xbox Cloud Gaming (Microsoft): Microsoft's cloud streaming extension of Xbox Game Pass, offering a multi-device subscription catalog. Direct competitor in cloud-streamed subscription gaming, backed by Microsoft's balance sheet and content library.
- Shadow (Blade): French-origin cloud PC service that streams a full Windows PC to any device. Comparable subscription-based remote-play model, often positioned as a hardware-free gaming PC alternative.
- Utomik: Subscription-based cloud gaming platform with a multi-publisher PC game catalog similar to Blacknut's. Closely comparable on unlimited-play subscription and family-friendly positioning.
Emerging players
- Antstream Arcade: Cloud-streamed retro gaming subscription service. Comparable on subscription catalog and streaming model, with narrower content focus on classic titles.
- Vortex (cloud gaming): Subscription cloud gaming service targeting casual and AAA titles across devices. Comparable on cloud gaming catalog approach with narrower scale than Blacknut's 78+ telco distribution.
- LiquidSky: Subscription cloud gaming/PC streaming service offering virtualized GPUs to consumers. Comparable on cloud-streamed PC gaming economics and multi-device delivery.
Broad incumbents
- PlayStation Plus (Sony): Sony's subscription service includes cloud streaming for PS5/PS4 titles as part of its Premium tier. A broader incumbent with overlapping cloud gaming capability within a wider gaming ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Blacknut social profiles
Digital presenceBlacknut financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Blacknut leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Blacknut funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Blacknut M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Blacknut
What does Blacknut do?
Blacknut operates a cloud gaming streaming platform that lets subscribers instantly play over 1,000 premium PC and console-quality games across smart TVs, computers, tablets, and mobile phones without downloads or dedicated gaming hardware. The service is offered both directly to consumers via subscription (with optional add-on Passes for Ubisoft, SNK, and Focus Entertainment content) and through B2B2C telecom carrier partnerships that bundle the gaming service with mobile data plans.
Is Blacknut a public or private company?
Blacknut is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Blacknut founded?
Blacknut was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Blacknut based?
Blacknut is headquartered in Cesson-sévigné, France, in the Europe region.
How does Blacknut make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Consumer Subscription - Base Plan is the primary driver. The others are pass Add-on Subscriptions and B2B2C Carrier Partnerships.
Who are Blacknut's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Amazon Luna, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Boosteroid, Xbox Cloud Gaming (Microsoft), Shadow (Blade) and Utomik. Emerging players are Antstream Arcade, Vortex (cloud gaming) and LiquidSky. PlayStation Plus (Sony) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Blacknut have an API?
No public API is recorded for Blacknut.
What industry is Blacknut in?
Blacknut's product category is Cloud Gaming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAHAB, Game Streaming Aggregators & Hubs (Multi-service launchers, catalogs), with a secondary code of MPAFAJAC, Billing, Subscription & Entitlement Management (IAP orchestration). Its NAICS code is 516210 and its SIC code is 7900.