By Amit Chowdhry • Today at 4:30 PM
Avia is a company that designs games for people who love competition, but don’t love a steep learning curve. Its games are easy to learn, fun to play, and challenging to master. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Avia CEO Vickie Chen to gain a deeper understanding of the company.
Vickie Chen’s Background
What is Vickie Chen’s background? Chen said:
“I’m a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience in the gaming industry and the founder and CEO of Avia, a leading platform for casual, skill-based gaming. My passion for mobile gaming drove me to make skill-based gaming more accessible to a wider audience. In 2017, I launched Pocket7Games, Avia’s all-in-one gaming platform, which has since grown into a diverse portfolio of popular titles, including Solitaire Clash, Bingo Tour, and 8 Ball Strike.
With an entrepreneurial mindset, I saw an opportunity to redefine the competitive gaming space. I recognized that many players, like myself, enjoyed gaming but weren’t necessarily hardcore gamers seeking high-stakes esports competitions. There was an untapped market for a more casual, yet engaging and rewarding experience. This vision led to the creation of Avia—a platform designed for players of all skill levels to compete in tournaments for cash prizes or simply enjoy the challenge of gameplay.
I met my business partner and good friend, Ping Wang, who shared the same passion for gaming innovation. Together, we built Avia from the ground up, starting from humble beginnings in a small garage in Mountain View, California. What began as a bold idea has since transformed into a global gaming powerhouse, offering a seamless, skill-based gaming experience to millions of players worldwide.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Chen shared:
“The idea for Avia was born out of a mix of ambition, persistence, and recognizing a gap in the market. Early in my career, I worked at Sohu, where I gained invaluable experience in the gaming industry. But after years in the corporate world, I knew I wanted to create something of my own—something that would reshape the way people experienced mobile gaming.
In 2015, I had a pivotal conversation with Ping Wang, who shared my vision for building something groundbreaking. We agreed to embark on this journey together, but there were significant challenges from the start. At the time, raising capital for a real-money gaming platform was far from easy, as investors were focused on other emerging sectors. I spent countless hours traveling, meeting with venture capitalists, and pitching our vision, facing numerous rejections along the way.
One moment that stands out is when a heavy snowstorm hit, and many assumed the trains wouldn’t run, I still went to the station because I believed that when you are committed to something, you don’t stop. That determination became a defining principle for Avia—never giving up, no matter the obstacles. In 2017, after years of relentless effort, we officially launched Pocket7Games, laying the foundation for what has now become one of the leading mobile skill-based gaming platforms in the world.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Chen reflected:
“One of my most unforgettable memories is starting the company in a garage. In those early days, we assembled IKEA furniture by hand, solved problems on the fly, and turned a simple space into the foundation for something bigger. Every challenge felt like a puzzle we had to figure out together, and every small win was monumental. There was an undeniable energy in those moments and the sense that we were building something meaningful from the ground up.
Another defining moment was the journey of seeking investors—knocking on countless doors and facing rejection after rejection. But what makes this memory so special is that it brought me together with people who shared the same dreams, vision, and sense of responsibility. We bonded through the struggles, never giving up, constantly searching for new angles, and finding a way forward. It felt like we were navigating through a dark tunnel, searching for direction, until we finally saw the light. What I cherish most is the trust we built along the way—the industry peers, investors, and partners who believed in us when we had nothing. Their willingness to take a chance on us, turn obstacles into opportunities, and stand by our side made every challenge worthwhile. It was through these struggles that we found our path, emerging from the darkness and stepping into the light together.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Chen explained:
“Avia is best known for its flagship platform, Pocket7Games, an all-in-one mobile gaming ecosystem that features over 14 different skill-based games across various genres, including puzzles, action, card, and strategy games. Each of our games is developed in-house, ensuring that we maintain complete creative control and deliver a consistently high-quality experience for our players.
Among our most successful titles is Solitaire Clash, which has become one of the top-ranked skill-based card games in the App Store. This multiplayer twist on Klondike Solitaire offers a competitive element that has resonated with millions of players. Bingo Clash, another standout title, reimagines the classic Bingo experience with fast-paced gameplay and engaging tournament-style competition. Bingo Tour builds on this with an even more modernized version, incorporating power-ups and exciting new mechanics. Meanwhile, 8 Ball Strike provides a unique take on pool, with intuitive controls and competitive matchups that appeal to both casual and experienced players.
Beyond individual games, what sets Avia apart is our seamless integration of in-app events, shared UI elements, and community-driven gameplay enhancements. We are constantly refining our products to provide a rewarding and engaging experience for our growing player base.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges have Chen and the team face in building the company? Chen acknowledged:
“Over the past few years, Avia has grown rapidly, expanding to nearly 400 employees and continuing to scale in 2025. With this growth came new challenges in management and leadership development, requiring us to rethink how we support our teams and maintain a strong, forward-thinking company culture. As the company expanded, we faced a few key hurdles: keeping teams aligned across multiple departments, ensuring smooth communication at every level, balancing our rapid growth with a consistently high-quality player experience, and encouraging a culture of continuous improvement. The risk in scaling quickly is that teams can become siloed, communication gaps can widen, and the short-term demands of growth can sometimes overshadow the long-term needs of our players.
To navigate these growing pains, we took a structured approach. We brought in HR specialists and industry consultants to refine our leadership training, ensuring our team had the tools and frameworks to grow alongside the company. We introduced a structured promotion system, giving employees a clear view of their career paths and motivating them to think beyond immediate results. More importantly, we reinforced Avia’s core values: putting players first, pursuing agile innovation, embracing passion and responsibility, and committing to sustainable growth. To bring our culture to life, we launched initiatives like non-profit programs, Avia-branded merchandise to build company identity, and company-wide holiday traditions to strengthen our sense of community.
By implementing these strategies, we’ve improved leadership, streamlined communication, and ensured our teams stay focused on what matters most: delivering the best possible experience for our players. Growth will always bring challenges, but by staying adaptable and committed to our values, we’re building not just a successful company but a thriving, innovative workplace.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since its launch? Chen noted:
“Since launching in 2017, Avia has continually evolved its technology to enhance the player experience and remain at the forefront of the skill-based gaming industry. From the very beginning, we designed our platform with adaptability in mind, ensuring that we could introduce frequent updates, new game integrations, and ongoing refinements to keep our players engaged.
One of our primary focuses has been optimizing the accessibility of our platform. Today’s players expect intuitive controls, seamless transactions, and visually rich gameplay, and we have worked tirelessly to exceed those expectations. By analyzing player feedback and user behavior, we continuously refine our offerings—whether that means enhancing gameplay mechanics, improving UI design, or introducing new reward opportunities.
We have also prioritized fair play and transparency, ensuring that every competition remains balanced and enjoyable. Looking ahead, we remain committed to leveraging data-driven insights to enhance the overall gaming experience and provide our players with the most immersive and rewarding gameplay possible.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Chen cited:
“Over the years, Avia has achieved several major milestones that have cemented its position as a leader in the mobile gaming industry. Since its launch, Pocket7Games has surpassed 55 million downloads worldwide, reflecting the strong demand for our skill-based gaming experiences. Today, our platform hosts over 300 million monthly tournaments, demonstrating the high level of engagement among our player community.
One of our proudest achievements is the continued success of Solitaire Clash, which currently holds top rankings in the App Store’s card and board game categories. With over 277,000 player ratings and an impressive 4.8 average score, it has become a flagship title that showcases our commitment to quality and innovation.
Avia has also grown significantly as a company, expanding to a team of almost 400 employees globally. This growth has allowed us to scale our innovation efforts, expand our game portfolio, and explore new opportunities in the evolving mobile gaming landscape.
Strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Samsung and PayPal have been key for Avia, enabling us to reach a broader audience and provide a seamless gaming experience for our players.”
Customer Success Stories
When asking Chen about customer success stories, she highlighted:
“Many of our players are parents—moms and dads who balance demanding work schedules and family responsibilities. They turn to our games as a way to relax, unwind, and enjoy a moment of entertainment in their busy lives.
Our most popular titles have become go-to sources of enjoyment for these players. Many of them have tried various gaming apps but ultimately choose Avia because of our engaging gameplay, fair competition, and rewarding experiences. Their loyalty and enthusiasm inspire us to continue innovating and delivering the best possible gaming experiences.”
Funding
When asking Chen about the company’s funding details, she revealed:
“Over the past 2.5 years, we have secured nearly $60 million in investments from some of the top investors in the gaming industry, including Makers, Galaxy, and ACME. This funding has been instrumental in driving our growth, enabling us to expand our team, enhance our gaming experiences, and continue pushing the boundaries of skill-based mobile gaming. Our investors share our vision for creating an engaging, player-first platform, and their support has helped Avia scale into one of the leading companies in this space.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Chen assessed:
“The mobile gaming market is projected to grow from $110.99 billion in 2025 to $181.94 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 10.39% during this period (2025-2030) (Source: Mordor Intelligence). This rapid expansion represents a significant opportunity for Avia as we continue to scale our platform, innovate new game experiences, and expand our global reach. The increasing demand for skill-based gaming, coupled with advancements in mobile technology, positions Avia to capture a meaningful share of this growing market.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Chen affirmed:
“What truly sets Avia apart is our unwavering commitment to innovation, quality, and player-first experiences. Unlike many competitors that rely on third-party developers, all Avia games are built in-house. This allows us to maintain complete creative control, ensuring that every game meets our high standards for design, fairness, and engagement.
We take player feedback seriously and use insights from our community to continuously refine our games. Our dedicated live customer support ensures that concerns are addressed promptly, creating a trustworthy and reliable gaming experience. With a strong emphasis on user experience, security, and game fairness, Avia has built a loyal following and remains a top destination for skill-based gaming enthusiasts.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Chen concluded:
“As Avia continues to grow, our focus remains on expanding our game portfolio, improving player experiences, and reaching new markets. We are actively developing new titles and innovative features to keep our platform fresh and engaging while optimizing gameplay mechanics and reward structures to enhance the overall player experience.
“With the mobile gaming industry projected to reach $185 billion by 2030, we see tremendous opportunities to bring Avia’s games to new audiences. By staying ahead of industry trends and leveraging data-driven insights, we are committed to ensuring that Avia remains a leader in the skill-based gaming sector.”
