GamesBeat Crossfire Lounge: Don’t miss game industry leaders going head-to-head on hot-button issues - Related to identity.vc, lgbtq+, miss, crossfire, smes

GamesBeat Crossfire Lounge: Don’t miss game industry leaders going head-to-head on hot-button issues

The 39th annual Game Developers Conference (GDC) is coming up quick in San Francisco, March 17 to March 21, and around the corner, GamesBeat will be hosting the Crossfire Lounge on March 18 — an exclusive, invite-only verbal smackdown hosted by Dean Takahashi.

It’s a night of nibbles, networking and no-holds-barred debates between game industry leaders, at a time when AI is still a question mark, direct-to-player marketing and sales are taking center stage, and player habits are shifting unpredictably.

Pairs of two candid, outspoken gaming leaders will tackle each of these hot button topics head-to-head in a series of fierce debates, where they’ll challenge conventional wisdom, industry norms and each other, in a fight to the finish. They’ll take on the pros, the cons and the what-ifs, bringing new insights and innovative ideas to light — and after every debate, audience members will vote to determine the winner.

Space is limited to 150, to encourage unfiltered and unscripted debate and intimate, full-throttled conversation. And it’s a rare opportunity to eat, drink and engage directly with influential leaders and key decision-makers across the industry.

“This is a one-of-a-kind, debate-style gathering that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the thought processes of today’s biggest gaming’s decision-makers,” Takahashi says. “It’s a must-attend interactive experience for everyone, from the veterans we’ve admired for years to the rising stars we’re keeping our eyes on.”.

Check out the evening’s agenda and learn more about the three hot topic debates.

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Registration and networking.

Enjoy drinks and light bites in a social setting.

6:30 PM – 6:40 PM: Welcome and introduction.

A brief opening statement from Dean to introduce the debates and key participants.

Three 20-minute, rapid-fire debates between two speakers, each arguing for their side of the issue.

6:40 – 7:00 pm — AI: Savior or saboteur of game development?

Will AI revolutionize game development, unlocking creativity and efficiency, or will it dilute originality and threaten jobs? Industry leaders clash over AI’s true impact on the future of game creation.

7:00 – 7:20 pm — Game app stores: Gatekeepers or growth engines?

Are app stores fueling industry success by providing access and infrastructure, or are they stifling innovation with high fees and restrictive policies? The debate rages over who truly benefits in the evolving distribution landscape.

7:20 – 7:40 pm — The future of the game industry: Boom, bust, or rebirth?

Is gaming on the brink of another golden age, or are we headed for a market correction? Industry veterans face off on the forces shaping gaming’s next chapter — consolidation, new platforms and shifting player habits.

“There’s a big appetite for smaller, more intimate B2B industry events that offer access to community, a chance to build connections and a place to gain insights you won’t hear anywhere else,” says Gina Joseph, CSO at VentureBeat. “We’re committed to making GamesBeat events like Crossfire the epicenter of thought leadership, authentic conversations and truly valuable networking opportunities that spark new ideas, spur growth and drive the success of the industry.”.

Don’t miss your chance to sit in on these electrifying discussions and connect with the brightest minds in gaming, in a setting designed for real conversations. Remember, the event is invite-only, so be sure to submit your request for invite and learn more on the GamesBeat Crossfire Lounge home page.

Want to get in front of this coveted audience? Join Xsolla as a sponsor of the GB Crossfire Lounge. Learn more here.

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Integral secures €6.3M to streamline accounting, taxation, and payroll for German SMEs

Berlin-based fintech Integral, today unveiled a €[website] million funding raise to redefine how accounting, taxation and payroll works for SMEs in Europe, starting with Germany.

Germany's €45 billion accounting and taxation market is clearly failing its SMEs. German SMEs face some of Europe’s highest tax compliance costs, averaging [website] per cent of their turnover. A critical shortage of skilled professionals — 71 per cent of advisory firms reporting staffing issues — exacerbates the problem, leading to manual errors and missed deadlines.

The industry relies on outdated technology, manual workflows and the lack of a platform that keeps the needs for both SMEs and the advisor in mind. For SMEs, this translates to high costs, poor service quality, and a lack of real-time insights, ultimately stunting their growth and competitiveness.

Integral has developed an AI-powered platform that paired with human expertise will transform accounting, taxation, and financial advisory services for businesses across Europe — adding efficiencies and driving smarter financial decisions. Key functionalities include a central collaboration and communication platform with a partner tax advisor connected to it, a direct integration with consumers’ financial tools and AI empowering both SMEs and advisors.

Integral was founded in 2024 by Lukas Zörner and Anil Can Baykal. , businesses should focus on what matters most — growing their business.

“Traditional self-service software solutions require substantial time and effort by SMEs — time they cannot spend on growing their business. We want to be the trusted partner for SMEs as they leverage the power of AI to reinvent these operations to be faster and smarter. We are building a platform enabling SMEs to outsource these services entirely.”.

General Catalyst and Cherry Ventures led the funding, with participation from Puzzle Ventures and entrepreneurs across Europe.

"SMEs are the backbone of Europe’s economy and society, yet they remain underserved when it comes to digital tools for accounting and taxation.

We believe Lukas and Anil are exceptional founders with a compelling vision, and have deep experience building financial products for SMEs. We’re excited to partner with them on their mission to help the European economy thrive," noted Zeynep Yavuz, Partner at General Catalyst.

, Founding Partner at Cherry Ventures, Integral "tackles a deeply entrenched pain point across Europe. Lukas, Anil, and their team are building something transformative, and we’re thrilled to be their partners on this journey."

Lead image: Integral. Photo: uncredited.

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Sam Eshrati joins identity.vc as Venture Partner, Europe’s first LGBTQ+ Venture Fund

Sam Eshrati has joined [website], Europe’s first venture capital impact fund dedicated to backing LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs as its newest Venture Partner.

It's a great boost for the social impact fund who invests in startups with LGBTQ+ representation in the leadership team, targeting early-stage companies from pre-seed to Series A across all sectors in Europe.

Most folks in the tech scene will know Sam, who brings extensive experience as an angel investor, startup advocate, and LGBTQ+ leader, and is a friend of [website].

As COO and Chief Engagement Officer at TechBBQ, Sam has played a pivotal role in strengthening the European startup ecosystem. He is an active investor, with a strong presence in the startup landscape through angel investments and board memberships with the Danish Startup Group and the Europe Startup Nations Alliance.

I spoke to Sam about his new role and the need to strengthen the LGBTQ+ startup community across Europe.

From silence to strength:LGBTQ+ founders in Europe need more visibility and support.

[website]’s slogan is “Born to Disrupt”. The Art. 9 SFDR social impact fund invests in LGBTQ+-led startups from Pre-Seed to Series A across all sectors in Europe. [website] was founded by Til Klein (Zurich), a former BCG partner and FinTech founder, together with Jochen Beutgen (Berlin), a family office investor with a 20-year track record in venture capital.

But when you think about scope, it's not easy to even get a grip on the amount of LGTBQ+ startup founders in Europe. Even in the UK,.

, queer and gender diverse founders lack the community of other cohorts in Europe’s startup ecosystem.

There’s been no definitive attempt to collect data but we do know that three-quarters of LGTBQ+ UK startup founders refrain from disclosing their sexuality or gender identity, + collective Proud Ventures.

, “this is a community-based topic, and insights can only be obtained through community building and ensuring a strong voice. Someone like me, with a strong network, helps with branding and positioning.

I reached a tipping point where I felt it was the right time to be more vocal about these issues.

This opportunity was a perfect fit because I want to promote this agenda openly and help the firm amplify its message.”.

Diversity is a win-win and contributes to both social impact and financial returns.

There are different perspectives on promoting diversity – a queer investor could join an existing firm and implement change from within or join a standalone firm like identity, vc,.

“Statistics show that LGBTQ+ businesses generate significant economic influence and that companies with diverse management perform 60 per cent higher due to innovation and revenue. Diverse teams need to be hired from the beginning. It’s critical to implement both strategies in tandem."

Breaking the old boys’ club to level the playing field for underrepresented founders.

What excites me about identity VC is that it walks the talk, rather than simply offering platitudes. For example, we know that many investors will only deal with entrepreneurs introduced to them through a warm introduction – not great for anyone struggling to connect with a roomful of cis white heterosexual men in business wear.

“You don’t need a warm intro with us. There are already enough barriers when you’re building up a business – shaking the right hands doesn’t have to be one of them. At [website], we’re open to hearing from all kinds of entrepreneurs regardless of your background or resume.”.

As Sam asserts, ‘it’s a win-win situation that considers both social impact and financial returns. We are investing in diverse founders because statistics show they offer enhanced returns."

In terms of specific verticals, Sam’s interest spans consumer, health, anti-aging, bio, climate resilience, and impact resilience.

"I'm particularly interested in anti-aging and longevity technologies, as well as challenges related to impact resilience. This includes climate impact and addressing supply chain issues affected by geopolitical factors.”.

, Co-Founder and General Partner of [website],.

“Sam’s track record as an investor, community builder, and his broad network make him a valuable asset to [website]”.

A strong network is essential for founders, and [website]’s mission centres on fostering a thriving European LGBTQ+ founder and investor community.

Through numerous online and offline events, [website] connects and unites the LGBTQ+ startup ecosystem across major European hubs, leveraging its unique, community-driven approach to provide unparalleled access to founders and a robust network, offering a strategic edge in the venture capital landscape.

Lead image: [website] team. Photo: uncredited.

The funding comes weeks after it raised INR [website] Cr ($[website] Mn) from its extended Series A funding round by issue of CCPS.

It's an uncomfortable truth, but the hype of Industrie [website] failed to reach its potential.

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