Appcharge Raises $26M Series A to Revolutionize Game Monetization

Appcharge, a startup offering an alternative monetization platform for game developers, has secured $26 million in Series A funding at a $100 million valuation. Led by Nordic VC Creandum, the round also saw participation from Supercell, Bitkraft Ventures, Moneta Ventures, Play Ventures, Glilot Capital, and angel investors. Appcharge aims to provide an end-to-end solution for direct-to-consumer sales of gaming currency and virtual goods. By acting as a merchant of record, Appcharge helps game publishers create e-commerce sites with tools and APIs that enhance customization and fraud prevention. The company processes approximately $200 million in purchases annually and seeks to minimize reliance on traditional app stores amidst regulatory scrutiny on Apple and Google. Founded by Maor Sason in 2022, the Tel Aviv-based company offers a platform modeled after the headless commerce trend, helping businesses own their user relationships and explore direct sales channels. The funding comes at a challenging time for gaming startups facing high customer acquisition costs and sluggish market growth, which underscores the growing need for solutions that reduce dependency on major app store platforms.