Being Accelerated

Those who kindly follow the work of ESG Gaming will know we were humbly accepted on to the British Esports / Sunderland Software City accelerator programme.  Over the space of what was essentially just a couple of months, a small, disparate team of individual entrepreneurs from across the world came together in Sunderland. Armed with experience, passion and enthusiasm, we all signed up to a shared learning experience that in many ways became the ultimate 360 peer programme.

I learned about lean canvases; enjoyed listening to the insights of various investors groups and private investors and I got a lot from hearing from fellow founders within the wider esports ecosystem who continue to lead and develop global brands, which are followed by tens of millions of fans and customers.  This is the power of gaming and esports. 

My motivation for applying to be part of the accelerator programme was to become inspired, learn and build my confidence. All three have been delivered in abundance and I am grateful to everybody who kindly contributed to our collective journey. So what is next for ESG Gaming? 

There are four work streams that have come out for our organisation:

  1. British Esports & ESG Gaming have a shared vision, alongside partners, to curate and develop a substantive national educational programme – reaching all ages from young people to grandparents.
  2. ESG Gaming are going to work collectively to launch the ESG Gaming 25 Club to not only further diverse our income and partner base, but act as a major fundraiser to enable us to financially help community based, grassroot esports teams and gaming creatives.
  3. ESG Gaming will continue to build upon our delivery at scale, paving the way for us to consider a substantive clinical trial and deep dive evaluations. Potentially as early as 2026/27 we’d like to understand and evidence how esports, gaming and virtual reality can (i) reduce social isolation and loneliness and slow down the rate of dementia for those over 50yrs and (ii) understand and evidence effective education around strokes and consumer protection within gaming and the metaverse.
  4. Finally ESG Gaming are working with another very special partner to help elevate Gaming for Good and the power of Student Creatives with the delivery of some very special, global events in 2025.

So a lot to do for a small organisation, but I am so fortune to be working alongside a growing network of very kind, generous and impactful leaders. Together we wholeheartedly share a deep commitment about creating and evidencing social impact.  

We are always on the look out for special people to come and join our collective journey. The most impactful way you can support this work right now is via the ESG Gaming 25 Club which we will launch in November. 

Finally my huge thanks to the amazing people who were part of the Accelerator programme. Good people, doing amazing things and everyone is a business to watch.