# People Who Make Esports Happen: Entrepreneurs and Founders

  



Behind the explosive growth of the Esports industry are the **entrepreneurs** who dared to try something new. From team founders to platform builders and streaming pioneers, these individuals didn’t just play the game — they **changed the rules**.

This page explores the **skills**, **behaviours**, and **mindsets** that make successful entrepreneurs in Esports. You'll meet real-world founders, understand what drives them, and gain insight into how people turn their passion for gaming into real business success.

  

## What is an Entrepreneur in Esports?

An **entrepreneur** is someone who:

* **Creates, develops and runs** a new enterprise
* Takes **risks** to launch something original
* Solves problems in creative ways
* Builds **value** — whether through profit, innovation, or community

In Esports, entrepreneurs can be:

* Team founders
* Tournament organisers
* Streaming platform builders
* Game developers
* Content creators turning brands into businesses

They don’t just work in the industry — they **build it**.

### Examples of Esports Entrepreneurship

| Name | Role | Achievement |
| ------------------------------ | ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Carlos “Ocelote” Rodríguez** | Founder of G2 Esports | Grew a small League of Legends team into a top-tier global Esports brand |
| **Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag** | Founder of 100 Thieves | Former Call of Duty pro who built an Esports lifestyle brand and team |
| **Meltdown Esports Bars** | Startup | Created a global chain of Esports-themed social venues |
| **Félicia Prehn** | UK advocate | Promotes inclusivity through Women in Esports initiatives |
| **Michael O’Dell** | UK team founder | Former manager of Team Dignitas, grew it into one of the UK’s most respected teams |

  

## Skills That Make a Difference

Successful Esports entrepreneurs need a mix of **practical skills** to operate their business effectively and grow in a highly competitive field.

### Communication

Entrepreneurs must communicate their vision to:

* Team members
* Fans and audiences
* Sponsors and partners
* Investors and the media

This includes speaking, writing, pitching ideas, and building trust.

**Example**: Founders of Esports teams often need to negotiate sponsorships and convince players to join them — clear, confident communication is key.

### Confidence

Entrepreneurship involves stepping into the unknown. Confidence helps with:

* Making bold decisions
* Leading others
* Promoting ideas in public

It’s not about arrogance — it’s about believing in the potential of your project.

**Fun Fact**: Many streamers who become business owners started with small audiences and had to promote themselves daily, often facing criticism or rejection before success.

### Strategic Thinking

Esports is fast-moving. Founders need to:

* Spot emerging trends (e.g. a new game or streaming style)
* Position themselves ahead of competitors
* Plan for long-term growth

**Example**: Recognising *Valorant*’s rise in 2020, many entrepreneurs quickly formed teams, coaching services, and tournaments tailored to that market.

### Teamwork

No business survives in isolation. Entrepreneurs:

* Work with co-founders
* Hire staff or freelancers
* Collaborate with players, streamers, and creators

A good founder knows how to lead but also when to listen, compromise, and share ownership of an idea.

### Budgeting and Financial Skills

Managing money is essential — even creative ventures rely on clear budgeting:

* Estimating costs and profits
* Setting prices
* Keeping track of expenses
* Pitching for funding

**Real-life scenario**: A small tournament organiser needs to budget for venue hire, prize pool, staff, and marketing — without this, the event might lose money or collapse.

### Resilience

The Esports world is unpredictable. Not every idea works. Founders must:

* Bounce back from setbacks
* Learn from mistakes
* Handle pressure and criticism

Many top entrepreneurs have failed ventures in their past — what matters is **what they learned**, not just what they built.

  

## Key Entrepreneurial Behaviours

Alongside skills, great entrepreneurs in Esports often share a core set of **behaviours or traits** — ways of thinking, acting and reacting that help them succeed.

### Self-Belief

Believing in their own ideas — even when others don’t. This internal drive is what keeps them going during tough moments or early failures.

**Quote**:
*"Everyone told me it wouldn’t work. I believed they were wrong. And I proved it."* — A common attitude among founders.

### Passion

A love for the industry fuels long hours, innovation, and connection. Passion helps entrepreneurs:

* Stay motivated during challenges
* Connect authentically with audiences
* Lead by example

Many Esports founders were once competitive players, community leaders, or streamers.

### Vision

Successful founders often **see possibilities** others don’t. They imagine:

* New ways of delivering content
* Better systems for players or fans
* Gaps in the market

They then act to bring that vision to life.

### Curiosity

Entrepreneurs ask questions:

* “Why hasn’t this been done yet?”
* “How can we improve this?”
* “What are others doing in other industries?”

Being curious leads to new ideas, partnerships, and creative problem-solving.

### Leadership

Founders often **set the tone** for the whole business. Leadership includes:

* Decision-making
* Inspiring others
* Handling conflict
* Taking responsibility

Great leaders create cultures where people feel supported and motivated.

  

## Real-World Examples of Esports Entrepreneurs

### UK Case Study: Michael "ODEE" O’Dell – Team Dignitas

**Who?**
Michael O'Dell was a former player who became one of the UK’s most influential Esports leaders.

**What Did He Do?**

* Founded Team Dignitas in the early 2000s
* Built it into a respected multi-game organisation
* Was eventually acquired by the **Philadelphia 76ers** (NBA team), bringing traditional sports and Esports together

**Skills & Behaviours**:

* Vision: Saw the potential of Esports when few others did
* Leadership: Built a trusted brand and loyal player base
* Communication: Negotiated sponsorships and media appearances

  
### Global Example: Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag – 100 Thieves

**Who?**
A former professional Call of Duty player and YouTuber from the US.

**What Did He Do?**

* Founded **100 Thieves** in 2017 as a team and lifestyle brand
* Raised millions from investors (including rapper Drake)
* Created a business blending fashion, gaming, and culture

**Skills & Behaviours**:

* Branding: Built a unique identity and aesthetic
* Risk-taking: Left a secure team career to launch his own brand
* Strategic Thinking: Understood Gen Z culture, trends, and digital platforms

  

### Global Example: Carlos “Ocelote” Rodríguez – G2 Esports (formerly)

**Who?**
A retired League of Legends pro player from Spain who founded G2 Esports in 2014.

**What Did He Do?**

* Transformed G2 into a global powerhouse across LoL, CS2, Valorant, and more
* Known for strong social media branding, humour, and bold public persona
* Mixed traditional business with creative identity

**Skills & Behaviours**:

* Confidence: Took bold stances and made headlines
* Leadership: Built a distinctive culture within the organisation
* Adaptability: Shifted strategies based on game trends and opportunities

  

## Final Thoughts

Esports entrepreneurs come from all kinds of backgrounds — players, streamers, marketers, coders — but they all share a passion for gaming and the **determination to turn ideas into reality**.

By developing skills in communication, finance, teamwork, and strategy — and showing behaviours like resilience, curiosity, and self-belief — anyone can start something meaningful in the world of Esports.

  

## Useful Links and Resources

* [British Esports Federation – Careers](https://britishesports.org/careers/)
* [Hitmarker](https://hitmarker.net) – Esports jobs and internships
* [Ginx TV – Industry Interviews](https://www.ginx.tv/)
* [Startups.co.uk – Sole Traders and Limited Companies Explained](https://startups.co.uk)
* [Esports Insider – Business News and Founder Spotlights](https://esportsinsider.com)

  

## Ask Yourself

1. Which entrepreneurial skill do you think you’re strongest at right now?
2. Would you rather build your own brand or work for an established Esports team?
3. What gap or opportunity do you see in your local or online Esports scene?