British Esports Accelerator – initial reflection

British Esports, in partnership with Sunderland Software City (SSC), has announced that 14 startups have been accepted onto a new esports accelerator programme designed to drive the growth of the gaming sector. Supported by Sunderland City Council, British Esports and tech sector support organisation Sunderland Software City, collectively they have designed the programme to present a unique opportunity for budding companies in esports to benefit from leading industry experts.

The programme got underway this week, and I wanted to write a few reflections on my initial impressions, learning, and our next steps here at ESG Gaming. 

Over 100 organisations applied to be part of the initial cohort, so it was humbling when we received the news that ESG Gaming had made the shortlist. The breadth, diversity, and passion of the fourteen Founders are outstanding. When mixed with the warmth of the Sunderland population and a sense of enthusiasm from everybody, you know you are part of something extraordinary. 

Any accelerator programme always faces the challenge of bringing together fourteen organisations, each at very different stages of development. Some were at an idea stage, others were in the midst of building an MVP, and others were trading and established. However, the programme was purposeful and worthwhile, and I believe we all got something out of the first tranche of training.  For me, the standout presentations were Kalam Neale’s presentation on education, training and safeguarding; the presentation by Esports Global and Northstar Ventures; the presentation by the Chief Business Officer from Sunderland AFC and the presentation on Lean Canvas by Sunderland Software City.  These presentations stood as they challenged my assumptions and thinking and gave me an opportunity to reflect on how ESG Gaming might position itself to not only be a showcase organisation for this programme but to ensure there is a lasting legacy which we might help to craft both in the North East and nationally. 

Dave Martin and Chester King's passion is infectious, and I always enjoy listening to the founders describe their start-up's journey. Like British Esports, ESG Gaming is a Limited by Guarantee with no shareholding venture, which also has the additional regulatory oversight of a Community Interest Company. There is so much synergy between our joint work within this space, an opportunity for shared learning and, best of all, collaborations with some of the other ventures on the programme and the wider stakeholder network. 

So next steps for ESG Gaming:

  • Complete and add a Lean Canvas to our bundle of documents.

  • Work with the Get In Agency to understand how Social Influencers may help accelerate our social purpose and build a significant community of people aged 50 and over who are interested in using gaming's power to unlock social challenges faced by that age group.

  • British Esports and ESG Gaming have committed to submitting at least one substantive funding proposal for a national programme to tackle social isolation and loneliness and build intergenerational relationships.

  • ESG Gaming was fortunate to work alongside Viverse and Eirmersive last week, launching a celebration of Ireland’s Thriving Immersive Technology Sector. Like Sunderland, Dublin has many opportunities for a tech start-up like ESG Gaming. There is an opportunity to plug into, work alongside, and learn from fellow founders wrestling with tech and consumer challenges such as virtual reality and the metaverse. Therefore, it would be strategically helpful to review aspects of our incorporation and board composition to enable the opportunities being afforded so we can best contribute to the local impact being created directly in Dublin and Sunderland.