Gamefound takes over Indiegogo, a platform raise $3B
Tags: Crowdfunding, Polish Tech, Indiegogo, Gamefound, M&A, Platform Innovation, Creator Economy, Marcin Świerkot, Global Startup Ecosystem, AI Tools for Creators
In one of the most unexpected and transformative moves the global crowdfunding industry has seen in years, Polish startup Gamefound has officially acquired Indiegogo, the legendary Silicon Valley platform that pioneered community-driven innovation across design, tech, film, and the arts. With this deal, a 38-million-strong user base and 17 years of market legacy are being absorbed into a new Polish-led tech ecosystem that promises to redefine how creative and technical projects are launched — and funded. This is not just a merger. It’s a transfer of global influence, as one of the oldest and most iconic American crowdfunding platforms becomes part of Poland’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
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The Deal: Poland’s Gamefound Acquires Indiegogo
Gamefound, founded by Marcin Świerkot, has established itself as a global force in the tabletop gaming crowdfunding niche, hosting 8 of the 10 largest board game campaigns of 2024 and generating over $165M in total volume last year. Known for rapid innovation and obsessive platform refinement, the company is now taking a massive leap beyond tabletop. The acquisition of Indiegogo brings Gamefound a staggering $2.9 billion in historical transactions, a global creator base across sectors, and a cultural footprint from early GoPro campaigns to award-winning indie films. The acquisition was announced jointly by Świerkot and Julie dePontbriand, the current CEO of Indiegogo. The terms of the deal remain undisclosed, but insiders confirm the primary motive: to combine Indiegogo’s scale and credibility with Gamefound’s agile, tech-first platform — creating a hybrid powerhouse to serve creators across all verticals.
“It’s time crowdfunding started looking forward again,” says dePontbriand. “Gamefound’s technology is unmatched. We’re excited to bring that innovation to Indiegogo’s creative community.”
What Changes Now?
Despite the acquisition, Gamefound will retain its tabletop DNA, continuing to develop features tailored for game creators — including tools like Stretch Pay, pledge automation, and advanced backer management.
But Indiegogo users will now gain access to an entirely new generation of features, including:
Over 20 payment methods and instant mobile payments
Pledge management systems with automation and real-time tracking
AI-powered marketing tools delivering up to 6.7x ROAS
Free flexible payment plans and integrated tax management tools
Endgame modules that dynamically extend campaign final minutes as new pledges arrive
This shift aims to professionalize and supercharge crowdfunding campaigns across tech, arts, film, sustainability, and product design — without alienating Indiegogo’s core user base.
A Defining Moment for Polish Tech
The acquisition marks a watershed moment for Poland’s tech ecosystem. Gamefound’s bold move echoes a broader trend of Central European startups moving from the periphery to the global stage — not just by innovating locally but by acquiring internationally.
“Our strategy has always been simple: build a platform twice as good as the next-best, and then actually do it,” says Marcin Świerkot. “Now we’re bringing that strategy to Indiegogo — combining our tech with their reach to revolutionize crowdfunding across every category.”
Gamefound’s growth trajectory is impressive:
70% year-over-year platform growth
Bi-weekly product updates
A cult-like following among tabletop publishers
And now — control of one of Silicon Valley’s most iconic platforms
The company will continue to operate both brands independently, while gradually integrating infrastructure to offer users the best of both worlds.
From Local Platform to Global Force
While the crowdfunding sector has seen stagnation in some areas, Gamefound’s high-performance tooling and creator-first approach have delivered a model with unmatched campaign success rates and backer satisfaction. By absorbing Indiegogo’s global network, the combined platform aims to raise the industry standard — and make crowdfunding more trustworthy, transparent, and lucrative for creators everywhere. Industry experts are calling this the biggest M&A shock in the crowdfunding world since Kickstarter launched its rival services — not just because of who was acquired, but because it was Poland that made the move.
What’s Next?
Unified analytics and dashboards across both platforms
A new pricing model for Indiegogo, optimized for creators of all sizes
Global rollout of Gamefound’s Endgame engine to non-gaming campaigns
Regional support in multiple languages
And a mobile-first approach with new native apps and monetization tools.
While Silicon Valley has traditionally led the world in creator platforms, this may signal a power shift toward leaner, more focused, engineering-driven platforms like Gamefound — which are born global, obsessive about user experience, and committed to creator success. This is more than a European startup getting global recognition. It’s a changing of the guard — one where Poland doesn’t just participate in the innovation economy. It helps shape it.
