Ultra Raises $12 Million to Propel Web3 Gaming

Web3 gaming platform Ultra just secured $12 million in new funding. The round was led by NOIA Capital, a Luxembourg-based multi-family office through its NOIA Digital Assets fund. The news comes as Ultra kicks off a bold new chapter under fresh leadership, with plans to shake up the traditional game development and publishing model.

Ultra: Backed by Vision, Built to Disrupt

Ultra isn't your average game store. Since launching in 2017, the team—led by industry veterans David Hanson and Nicolas Gilot—has been building something different. Ultra combines game publishing, esports, and digital asset ownership into one platform, powered by blockchain tech and its native token, UOS.

The $12 million funding round marks a key moment for Ultra. It follows the recent appointment of Gus van Rijckevorsel as CEO. A serial entrepreneur known for turning bold ideas into results, Gus has a clear vision—and he isn't holding back.

"The gaming industry has been sitting on the sidelines for decades, too stubborn to change, too afraid to take a risk and think outside the box," said van Rijckevorsel. "Right now, no one in the gaming industry is happy so why isn't anyone doing anything about it? We're here to change that... Just as Netflix redefined media consumption, Ultra will transform the gaming industry."

In short, Ultra's not just talking the talk. It's looking to bring in a new era of game ownership, fair rewards, and dev-first publishing.

Web3 Meets Europe's Tech Revival

Ultra's funding comes at a time when web3 gaming is gaining serious ground globally. But in Europe? It's still playing catch-up. That's where Ultra comes in—with the platform, tools, and community to push a new wave of digital innovation.

"Ultra is bringing the kind of bold, disruptive thinking that the gaming industry desperately needs," said Muhammed Yesilhark, CIO at NOIA Capital. 

"Gus and his team have a clear vision for the future, backed by a strong tech foundation and a strategic roadmap that puts Ultra in a position to challenge legacy players."

What's Next for Ultra?

With this new funding, Ultra plans to:

• Hire top-tier talent to drive innovation
• Expand and upgrade its core platform
• Prep for key acquisitions to boost growth
• Lay the groundwork for an even bigger raise later in 2025

The company also recently named Maxime van Steenberghe as COO. With a background in consulting and business scaling at Circle Strategies, Maxime is expected to help Ultra hit its ambitious targets.

Ultra's Web3 Journey

Ultra started its journey back in 2017 when it was founded by David Hanson and Nicolas Gilot. Their goal was simple—combine gaming and blockchain in a way no one had done before. By 2021, they launched the Ultra mainnet, putting the tech framework in place. Then in 2023, they introduced Ultra Arena, their esports arm, giving players a new way to compete and earn UOS tokens. The momentum continued in 2024, with a bold roadmap focused on content, player experience, and expanding the ecosystem. Now, in 2025, Ultra is stepping things up. With fresh funding, new leadership, and a sharper vision, it's ready to reshape the future of play.

A Player-First Future

Ultra's model leans hard into web3 perks like real digital ownership through NFTs, letting players buy, sell, and even trade games and in-game items. It also gives developers a bigger slice of the pie, with fairer revenue splits and better tools to launch games.

But it's not just about tech. It's about changing how the industry thinks.

"This year, we have ambitious plans to break the mold of the traditional game development and distribution cycle and push the boundaries of player experience and ownership," said van Rijckevorsel.

No doubt, with fresh funding, a sharpened focus, and a clear vision, Ultra is aiming high for sure.