Cover NIP Group, the esports company co-founded by Mario Ho, son of late casino tycoon Stanley Ho, and Hicham Chahine, listed on Nasdaq in late July 2024 (Photo: NIP Group)
NIP Group, the esports company co-founded by Mario Ho, son of late casino tycoon Stanley Ho, and Hicham Chahine, listed on Nasdaq in late July 2024 (Photo: NIP Group)
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The 29-year-old son of late Macau casino mogul Stanley Ho has become the youngest founder of a Nasdaq-listed company in Asia after his company, NIP Group, went public in late July this year
NIP Group, co-founded by esports entrepreneur Mario Ho, is now the first Chinese esports company to list on a US stock exchange. Going public on the Nasdaq this past July, it raised over $20 million by offering 2.25 million American depositary shares at $9 per share.
With this, Ho, the youngest son of the late Macau casino tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun, became the youngest founder of a Nasdaq-listed company from Asia at age 29.
NIP Group was formed from a merger between Chinese digital sports firm ESV5 and Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP), one of Sweden’s most well-known esports teams, through an equity share swap completed in 2023. It operates two brands, including NIP and Estar Gaming, with teams competing in various video game titles such as League of Legends, Honor of Kings and Fortnite.
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Above NIP Group co-founders Mario Ho and Hicham Chahine explain their vision for their recently listed company (Video: Nasdaq)
“NIP Group is ready to leave a significant mark on the global gaming industry as a Nasdaq-listed company,” says Ho during a speech at the bell-ringing ceremony at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York.
According to the registration statement the group filed earlier this year, it follows an “esports+” model, aiming to expand into various income streams—from forming top teams in different games to managing talent and organising events.
The document also states that the Cayman Islands-holding company, which operates across Asia, Europe and South America, experienced losses of $6.3 million and $13.3 million in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The historical losses reflect the substantial investments made to grow the business.
Ho now serves as the chairman and co-CEO of NIP Group, leading its business in Asia. He is also the largest individual shareholder, holding 13.6 percent of the company’s shares after the initial public offering. Fellow co-CEO Hicham Chahine, who used to lead NIP, oversees the group’s business in the West.
Ho says going public in the US was a dream come true: “It has been my dream to stand on this podium, where so many legendary entrepreneurs I look up to have done so.”
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In an Instagram post, Ho shared photos of himself in front of the Nasdaq billboard displaying images of his family with a message to his late father that said: “This is my way of saying thank you and wishing that you were here to witness it.”
After graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ho joined the Chinese game publisher IDreamsky. The company was later listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Ho then founded the Victory 5 esports club, which rebranded to NIP. Since 2018, he has been the chairperson of the Macau Esports Federation.
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Based in Hong Kong, editor Yoyo Chow covers the people and ideas redefining Asia’s future—from cutting-edge innovation and AI to bold moves in sustainability and diversity. She also drives content for Tatler Gen.T in Hong Kong, a platform and community spotlighting the region’s next generation of startup founders, creatives and changemakers.
Before that, she was a video journalist producing content for international TV and digital platforms, including Reuters and South China Morning Post. If you have a powerful story to share, she’s all ears. Send press materials, event invites and any inquiries to yoyo.chow@tatlerasia.com.
