Who Owns Kick?

Key Stats

Who Owns Kick?

Ownership Structure Through Easygo Entertainment

Kick Streaming Pty Ltd operates as an Australian proprietary limited company registered in November 2022. The platform functions under complete ownership by Easygo Entertainment Pty Ltd, which serves as the sole shareholder. This parent company structure provides centralized control over all strategic decisions affecting the streaming platform.

Easygo Entertainment itself splits between two controlling parties. Bijan Tehrani commands the majority position with approximately two-thirds ownership. Ed Craven maintains the remaining one-third stake through his wholly-owned entity, Ashwood Holdings Pty Ltd. This arrangement creates a clear decision-making hierarchy while maintaining founder control.

No External Investment Dilution

The ownership structure remained stable since the platform’s 2022 launch. Both founders chose to maintain tight control rather than pursue external investment rounds. This decision enabled them to guide growth phases strategically without diluting their stakes through investor participation.

Industry observers initially characterized Kick as a loss leader for Stake.com, the cryptocurrency gambling platform co-founded by the same entrepreneurs. The generous 95/5 revenue split for creators became financially viable through this backing. Ed Craven acknowledged in July 2023 that the platform operated without profitability, projecting a one to three year timeline to achieve positive returns through advertising revenue.

Largest Shareholders of Kick

Bijan Tehrani’s Majority Control

Tehrani holds the largest ownership stake in Kick through his two-thirds interest in Easygo Entertainment. His background in digital platform development proved instrumental in shaping Kick’s competitive positioning. The platform emerged following Twitch’s 2022 ban on Stake.com advertising, which Tehrani transformed from a setback into an opportunity.

His vision centered on creating a creator-first environment. The 95/5 revenue split decision reflected this philosophy, dramatically exceeding the industry standard 50/50 split offered by competitors. Tehrani’s experience with Stake.com influenced this approach, applying the principle of treating users well to generate lasting value.

The majority shareholder guided Kick through intense competition in the streaming space. His strategic decisions included signing high-profile creators to build initial momentum, then shifting focus toward supporting mid-tier content creators through programs like the Creator Incentive Program. This evolution demonstrated adaptability as the platform matured beyond its initial growth phase.

Ed Craven’s Ownership Through Ashwood Holdings

Craven maintains his one-third stake through Ashwood Holdings Pty Ltd, which he owns entirely. At 27 years old, he serves as Kick’s CEO while ranking among Australia’s wealthiest individuals. His entrepreneurial journey began at age 15 when he launched his first gambling venture, inspired by a bingo game during a family cruise at age twelve.

Stake.com catapulted his fortune significantly, enabling acquisitions including an $80 million estate in Toorak. Despite his wealth, Craven maintains a hands-on operational approach. He works from a standing desk surrounded by engineers at Easygo’s Melbourne headquarters, emphasizing lean cost structures and efficient operations.

His management philosophy incorporates AI tools for content moderation, reducing staffing requirements while maintaining platform standards. Craven publicly stated in 2023 that the platform aimed to reduce gambling content exposure, signaling a strategic shift toward broader content categories. This statement aligned with subsequent policy changes implemented in 2025.

Trainwreckstv’s Advisory Role

Popular streamer Tyler Niknam, known as Trainwreckstv, played a unique role in Kick’s development. Unlike traditional shareholders, he participated as an early backer and advisor. Craven confirmed his involvement predated the platform’s official launch, stating discussions around Kick involved Trainwreckstv before day one.

His influence shaped the creator-friendly direction that became Kick’s defining characteristic. As one of Twitch’s prominent gambling streamers before the platform’s gambling ban in November 2022, Trainwreckstv provided valuable insights into creator needs and platform gaps. His participation as both advisor and prominent early user helped establish credibility within the streaming community.

History of Kick Co-founders

Origins in Online Gaming and Entertainment

Both Tehrani and Craven built their fortunes through Stake.com before launching Kick. Their shared experience operating a cryptocurrency gambling platform provided crucial insights for entering the competitive streaming market. The connection between Stake.com and Kick runs deeper than simple corporate affiliation, with both ventures reflecting similar philosophies about user value and platform generosity.

Kick Streaming Pty Ltd received official registration on November 14, 2022, just weeks before the December 2022 public launch. The timing followed closely after Twitch implemented its ban on Stake.com advertising over consumer protection concerns. This regulatory action eliminated a major marketing channel for Stake.com, prompting the founders to envision an alternative platform where gambling content faced fewer restrictions.

The founders brought complementary skills to the venture. Craven’s technical background and operational focus balanced Tehrani’s strategic vision and platform expertise. Together, they assembled a team that rapidly developed the streaming infrastructure necessary to compete against established players. The platform’s Melbourne headquarters houses a significant engineering workforce focused on building scalable technology.

Rapid Growth and Strategic Positioning

Kick’s expansion occurred at remarkable speed. The platform attracted major streaming personalities through lucrative contracts, with xQc reportedly signing for potentially $100 million and Amouranth securing a deal she described as removing considerable anxiety. These creator partnerships generated significant publicity and user interest, driving viewership growth of 404% during a four-month period in 2023.

Similar to how Activision Blizzard transformed gaming through strategic acquisitions and content investment, Kick leveraged creator talent to build its audience. The founders recognized that content creators serve as the platform’s primary asset, making their satisfaction essential for long-term success.

Critics, including Twitch CEO Dan Clancy, questioned the sustainability of Kick’s aggressive creator acquisition strategy. Clancy called the streamer-poaching approach unsustainable in the long run, suggesting the financial burden would eventually become untenable. However, the founders’ willingness to operate at a loss while building market share demonstrated their commitment to long-term positioning over short-term profitability.

Who Is on the Board of Directors for Kick?

Private Company Governance Structure

Kick operates as a proprietary limited company in Australia, a structure that typically features different governance requirements than publicly traded corporations. As a private entity wholly owned by Easygo Entertainment, detailed board composition information remains largely undisclosed to the public. This privacy represents standard practice for many private companies, particularly those in competitive technology sectors.

Australian proprietary limited companies often maintain smaller, more informal boards compared to public corporations. The governance structure typically involves the major shareholders serving in both ownership and directorship roles, creating streamlined decision-making processes. This arrangement allows rapid strategic pivots and operational adjustments without extensive board deliberations.

Executive Leadership and Operational Control

Ed Craven serves as Chief Executive Officer, maintaining day-to-day operational control over the platform. His role extends beyond typical CEO responsibilities, given his significant ownership stake and hands-on management approach. Craven’s presence at the Melbourne headquarters reflects his commitment to remaining closely involved in technical and strategic decisions.

Bijan Tehrani functions as a co-founder and major shareholder, though his specific executive title remains less publicly defined than Craven’s CEO position. His two-thirds majority stake ensures substantial influence over all major decisions affecting the platform’s direction. Industry patterns suggest co-founders of this nature often serve in chairman or strategic advisory capacities.

The executive team likely includes operational leaders overseeing engineering, content moderation, creator relations, and business development. Much like Oracle in its early years under Larry Ellison’s leadership, Kick appears structured around founder-driven decision-making with supporting executives handling specialized functions.

Advisory and Strategic Roles

Trainwreckstv’s involvement represents an advisory capacity rather than a formal board position. His early participation in platform development and ongoing creator perspective provide valuable input for strategic decisions. This arrangement mirrors practices at entertainment companies where key content creators maintain informal advisory relationships with management.

The platform’s connections to Easygo Entertainment’s broader portfolio, including Stake.com, Primedice, and Twist Gaming, suggest potential shared strategic oversight. Executives with expertise across these ventures may provide guidance on technology infrastructure, payment systems, and regulatory compliance. The integrated nature of these businesses creates operational synergies that benefit Kick’s development.

Future Governance Evolution

As Kick pursues profitability and potentially expands its corporate structure, governance arrangements may evolve. Companies transitioning from startup phases to mature operations often formalize board structures, adding independent directors with specialized expertise. Areas like content policy, advertising technology, and international expansion might benefit from dedicated board-level oversight.

The founders’ retention of complete ownership control provides flexibility in determining if and when to modify governance structures. Unlike venture-backed startups that accumulate board seats with each funding round, Kick maintains the freedom to structure leadership according to operational needs rather than investor requirements. This autonomy represents a significant advantage in maintaining strategic focus without external pressure for rapid exits or arbitrary growth targets.

Following patterns seen in other media companies like Fox Corporation, which balances founder vision with professional management, Kick may eventually incorporate experienced media executives into formal advisory or board roles. Such additions could provide valuable expertise in areas like regulatory compliance, international expansion, and advertiser relationships as the platform scales operations globally.

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