Step into the esports industry—where competitive gaming meets digital innovation.
The Esports industry is developing by leaps and bounds. The COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to its rapid market expansion. A surge in global online viewership, tech advancements, and a promise of long-term revenue growth made it a lucrative place for esports investors.
The industry is brimming with various opportunities for esports startups to seize:
Navigating the esports landscape is a double-sided sword: the industry is ripe with opportunities but riddled with challenges to overcome, like competition, legal and monetization issues, etc.
We assist in securing the necessary venture capital, creating persuasive and insightful esports pitch decks and solid business models, and pinpointing the most beneficial M&A opportunities.
Look through our esports market research to discover the latest trends, key industry insights and challenges, and the cheat codes to attract investment.
2X growth
The Esports market size is set to double, hitting $8.1B by 2032.
$1.4B
In 2022, the total esports revenue comprised $1.384 million.
In 2022, the eSports audience reached over 523M people.
People watched the Free Fire World Series Singapore in 2021.
Is the prize won by an esports team.
Esports is a dynamic and flourishing industry with new trends evolving as a response to the rise of global audiences, tech innovations, and ever-changing consumer preferences.
Mobile eSports: gaming on smartphones;
Esports betting: betting on eSports tournaments via mobile;
API integration: sharing data between different apps and platforms easily;
Blockchain technology: offering enhanced security and income opportunities;
Live commentary: enhancing viewership experiences;
Live streaming: fostering community engagement;
Why it matters: exploring the industry trends is pivotal for esports startups that want to stay competitive and meet the expectations of the audiences and players. Plus, it helps ensure sustainable business growth and shows potential investors you have vast knowledge in the chosen field.
VENTURE LANDSCAPE
Key verticals:
The huge market and investor potential comes with a set of hurdles.
Stats: the number of eSports enthusiasts is expected to reach almost 286M within the next year, contrasted to 197M in 2019.
If the viewership increases, the competition becomes more intense. And here is why:
The surge in viewers drives companies to up their games, forge profitable partnerships, and strive to distinguish themselves in a saturated market.
The eSports industry is relatively new and thus not well regulated.
Esports companies operate across various regions, each with a unique set of rules. Plus, with the pace of tech advancements, it may be hard for the authorities to stay updated. This situation may lead esports companies into the so-called gray zones, increasing the risk of non-compliance and the lure to cheat.
A case in point: in 2022, two men from Australia were accused of match-fixing and are still under investigation. They may get up to 10 years in jail.
Thus, Esports regulatory mazes may lead not only to financial penalties and reputation damage but also to legal issues.
Balancing monetization strategies and user experience is pivotal. Esports startups must find a way to make money without overloading players with too many ads.
Failure to effectively monetize may lead to:
The eSports industry is gaining momentum. It means that the audience rises as well as the investor interest. VCs see eSports as a sustainable industry rather than a trend or a bubble worse than crypto. That’s why they are eager to pour resources into eSports projects.
Yet, securing funds is not a cakewalk. Regulatory risks, competition, and the hesitation of some investors make a fundraising game challenging.
The esports industry is a magnet for investors. It’s seen as a promising and profitable industry as the market growth potential is huge, and the audience is large and engaged. Plus, it has high margins and prospects for global expansion.
Surely, it’s way easier to attract the necessary funding today than it was a couple of years before. Yes, investors are taking more notice of the industry’s growth potential. Yet, some VCs are still concerned about the sector-related myths, like a risky venture or a trend that won’t last long. Plus, regulatory uncertainty and competition.
Usually, our team needs from two to three weeks to finish the documentation. However, sometimes we may need more time in case we have lots of projects and the project itself requires more attention. That’s why it is better to contact us to know the exact time needed.
Many esports startup pitch decks skip the ‘why’ behind their market choice and lack a clear business strategy and proof of progress. Plus, they either drown investors in too much information or miss the essentials, leaving VCs unsure and uninterested.
The esports market is highly competitive. Rapid market growth attracts new blood, multiple revenue streams add more aspects the companies compete on, and high barriers to entry make it hard for newcomers to stand out among numerous established players.
We assist VCs in evaluating their investment opportunities within the esports industry. We conduct thorough due diligence and present findings in a concise, visually rich presentation packed with valuable insights. Plus, we ensure comprehensive fundraising services to portfolio companies across the esports sector and beyond.
Sure! Our team is pinpointing esports M&A opportunities, seamlessly guiding you through every step—from the initial deal search and valuations to comprehensive due diligence and post-deal collaboration.
Absolutely! We help link you up with the right esports venture capital firms. By assessing your project’s team setup, round size, and product, we’ll guide you in partnering with investors throughout the entire deal and beyond.
Yes, we do! Our comprehensive esports market research includes industry reports, competition analysis, etc. We use only reliable data sources to collect the most relevant information for you, such as the industry’s challenges, market trends, and competitive dynamics.
Our team offers growth and fundraising help to esports startups at every stage of their growth journey, from the Pre-Seed stage all the way through to Series C and beyond.
From end-to-end fundraising support to M&A advisory and growth hacking, Waveup will help catapult your esports project to new heights. Leave your email, and let's talk!
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