Grow your esports enterprise or business

Funded and delivered by:

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK SharedProsperity Fund. It's delivered by British Esports Federation Ltd and Sunderland Software City.

What is the purpose of the accelerator?‍

Connect, collaborate, create, commercialise to maximise the success of your esports enterprise or business.

What happens on the accelerator?‍

The 8-week programme, starting in September 2024, will include bespoke workshops, mentoring, peer learning, investment support and preparation and social events and networking opportunities. Topics covered will include:

- Esports industry orientation
- Business Coaching 
- Innovation
- Financial Literacy
- Funding Strategies
- Marketing & Branding
- Legal Implications 
- Investment: opportunities, preparation and pitching

The programme will culminate in an investors day where participants will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a selected group of potential investors.

This event will happen on Friday 1st November at Dell’s HQ in London. The event has been planned to coincide with League of Legends Worlds happening at the O2 in London on Saturday 2nd November. We will be investigating opportunities for participants in the Accelerator to attend Worlds.

Who is the accelerator for?‍

The accelerator is for existing business teams and also esports entrepreneurs with new ideas at the very start of their journey. Applicants should be based in the UK (ideally in the North East). We will welcome businesses, or new business ideas, covering all aspects of the esports industry from running and supporting teams and organisations, through event and tournament organisation, to technology, operational and logistical support and all other esports-adjacent sectors. Applicants must be 18+ years of age.

Whilst we welcome individuals and business teams from throughout the UK to apply, we will also have a significant focus on supporting the local ecosystem in Sunderland and the North East. This will include:

-Local entrepreneurs
-Local SMEs
-Individuals from the region looking for better jobs
-Local businesses that provide services including Legal, Financial, Digital/Creative and IT.

What will you get out of this?‍

This six week accelerator is designed to turbocharge your journey. With a blend of in-person and online sessions, you'll connect with like minded individuals, hear from industry experts, attend bespoke workshops, office hours, and personalised mentoring. Our focus on nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and providing adjacent support ensures you'll receive a comprehensive plan to navigate your path to success.

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‍Equality, diversity and inclusion‍

At British Esports Federation and Sunderland Software City we celebrate multiple approaches and opinions and believe diversity drives innovation. We are working hard to build a culture where difference is valued.  We are committed to creating an inclusive programme that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves.

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund‍

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local businesses, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

How to apply?‍

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED