Fourteen ambitious gaming startups join the Sunderland esports accelerator to drive innovation and job creation.
- Four startups from the North East are among the chosen companies, showcasing regional talent.
- The programme entails financial management and international growth strategies, ending with investment pitches.
- Applications were rigorously evaluated by tech experts, ensuring a competitive selection process.
- Leadership from British Esports and Sunderland Software City express optimism for regional tech advancement.
British Esports, in collaboration with Sunderland Software City, has initiated an esports accelerator programme, selecting 14 promising startups to foster innovation and job creation in the gaming sector. Four of these startups hail from the North East, highlighting the region’s burgeoning potential in esports.
The programme spans eight weeks, focusing on essential business growth areas such as financial management, strategies for international expansion, digital marketing, intellectual property protection, and investment readiness. This comprehensive curriculum aims to equip these young companies with the necessary tools for success.
An intensive selection process narrowed down from 100 applicants to the final 14, with evaluations conducted by a panel of tech experts including David Dunn and Hekla Goodman-Parker. They assessed each company’s idea viability, market potential, team expertise, and product-market fit to ensure the most promising startups were chosen.
Among the participants are Durham-based BSL AR Teacher, which utilises AR for teaching sign language, and North Shields’ Beam XR, offering a live-streaming tool for XR games. Gateshead’s Reset Reload provides a platform for aspiring esports athletes, and Morpeth’s Racing Sims North East merges motorsport passion with technical innovation.
Other notable firms include London’s ESG Gaming and Smash Mountain Studio, as well as DS Performance Sports from Derby. These startups represent a diverse range of innovations across the UK, poised to benefit greatly from the accelerator.
Hekla Goodman Parker of Sunderland Software City commended the founders’ ambition and the programme’s potential for significant industry connections. Sunderland City Council’s Patrick Melia spoke on the city’s commitment to digital transformation, while Dave Martin of British Esports emphasised the programme’s role in advancing the UK’s esports ecosystem.
The Sunderland esports accelerator promises to significantly impact the gaming industry’s growth and innovation, especially within the North East.
