Private investment firm Visualize Group has announced its acquisition of eCOGRA, a gaming testing agency and standards organization. The acquisition aligns with the former company’s ethos of investing in businesses it trusts.
Visualize Doubles Down on the Gaming Testing Sector
Per the announcement, Visualize will acquire eCOGRA for an undisclosed sum. Following the conclusion of the transaction, the latter company will retain its leadership, with Will Shuckburgh to continue to lead it as CEO.
Visualize describes itself as an investment partnership that makes high-conviction and long-duration investments in generationally enduring businesses as a control, or lead, non-control investor. It should be noted that eCOGRA is its second gaming testing agency acquisition, following a similar transaction with BMM Testlabs earlier this year.
The similarities between BMM Testlabs and eCOGRA are that they are both established and highly trusted providers of testing services. Visualize’s acquisition of two such businesses reflects the growing demand for their services and the broader expansion of the gaming sector.
Whereas BMM Testlabs offers full testing and certification, spanning the entire gaming sector, eCOGRA is focused on the rapidly growing iGaming industry.
Visualize noted that it plans to offer eCOGRA customers a broader licensing umbrella, quicker turnarounds, and more high-quality options for stakeholders. Just like BMM, eCOGRA will continue to function as an independently accredited business, maintaining its own standards, methodologies, and decision-making.
Visualize added that it plans to also extend its employee ownership program to eCOGRA employees, allowing them to participate in the broader group’s value-creation plan.
Leaders Were Pleased with the Transaction
Company leaders commented on the matter, expressing excitement about the transaction. Will Shuckburgh, eCOGRA’s chief executive officer, was pleased that Visualize recognized eCOGRA’s two decades of experience and proven track record in helping its clients meet the highest standards of compliance.
Partnering with Visualize gives us the resources to serve our customers better — to invest in our people, our technology, and our capacity — while continuing to operate with the independence and integrity that our accreditation partners and customers expect.
Will Shuckburgh, CEO, eCOGRA
C. C. Melvin Ike, Visualize’s founder & managing partner, was similarly pleased. He explained that his firm is a high-conviction thematic investor that backs “exceptional businesses.” He added that both eCOGRA and BMM provide crucial gaming services, with each of the two boasting distinct capabilities.
With eCOGRA, our intention is straightforward: to build eCOGRA into a generational business that can deliver faster, more responsive, and more innovative service to a fast-growing market that needs more high-quality service. We’re thrilled to partner with Will and the entire eCOGRA team.
C. C. Melvin Ike, founder & managing partner, Visualize
The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.