Best Gaming (Digital / Video) Group on the Street?

Based on the most helpful WSO content, the video gaming vertical is indeed niche but growing rapidly. Here are some of the top groups and firms in the space:

Investment Banking:

1. LionTree - Dedicated gaming team in San Francisco.
2. Raine Group - Offices in NYC, SF, and Shanghai, with a strong focus on gaming.
3. Aream - Exclusively gaming-focused bank based in London and SF.
4. Morgan Stanley - Media & Communications group.
5. Barclays - Communications & Media group.
6. PJT Partners - Notable for hiring the former CSO of Activision Blizzard in their LA office.
7. Goldman Sachs - Video game advisory group within TMT.

Private Equity / Venture Capital:

1. Griffin Gaming Partners - Partnered with LionTree.
2. Insight Partners - Active in video game and internet investments.
3. Galaxy Interactive - Focused on gaming and digital media.
4. BitKraft Ventures - Gaming-focused VC.
5. Makers Fund - Gaming-only VC.
6. London Venture Partners - Specializes in gaming investments.
7. Tier 1 VCs like Index Ventures, A16Z, and Lightspeed - Have dedicated gaming teams.

Key Insights:

• Video game M&A is highly active in the $100M-$1B EV range, with fewer large-cap deals compared to broader TMT.
• The sector is increasingly attractive due to growing engagement hours across demographics and significant M&A activity.
• While bulge brackets and elite boutiques have some presence, specialized firms like LionTree, Raine, and Aream dominate this vertical.

If you're passionate about gaming and finance, these groups and firms are excellent starting points!

Sources: Video Game IB/VC/PE, Video Game Investment Banking / PE / VC