// startup autopsy

PlayerDuel

The competitive gaming platform that lost its own match.

marketfitSlow Death

Years-long decline before final shutdown · Fatal mistake: Built a two-sided gaming marketplace requiring network effects with only $21K, making it impossible to reach the critical mass needed for the platform to deliver value.

Founded	2011
Closed	2014
Country	USA
Sector	Gaming

50%

Key Events Timeline

2011-03

FOUNDING

PlayerDuel launches with a vision to build a competitive gaming matchmaking platform.

2012-01

FUNDING

Secures $21K in seed funding — its only external capital.

2012-09

DOWN ROUND

Platform fails to attract sufficient players to create meaningful network effects.

2013-06

DOWN ROUND

Competitors with deeper pockets dominate the competitive gaming matchmaking space.

2014-01

SHUTDOWN

PlayerDuel shuts down, unable to monetize or grow its player base.

Full Analysis

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Documented cause

PlayerDuel, a gaming-oriented SaaS platform focused on competitive player matchmaking, failed due to a combination of severe capital constraints and structural market challenges. The startup raised only $21,000...

, an insufficient amount to build and scale a network-effects-dependent competitive gaming marketplace. The core business model required achieving critical mass—enough active players to create meaning

Verified lesson

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HypeCycle · MoatType · ResearchTags

PlayerDuel raised €0.021189M before built a two-sided gaming marketplace requiring network effects with only $21k, making it impossible to reach the critical mass needed for the platform to deliver value. ended it. See the documented cause, verified lesson and all failure signals.

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Key Events Timeline

Documented cause

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