Karen McCormick is chief investment officer at London-based venture capital firm, Beringea, which is among Fnatic’s venture capital backers. She said that the industry is “experiencing explosive growth, and yet in many ways is still in adolescence”.
David Beckham is a main investor in London-based Guild Esports, which completed a £41m initial public offering this autumn, while Winger Gareth Bale owns a team called Elleven Esports, and Dele Alli recently joined UK-based Excel Esports as an ambassador.
Guild Esports launched in June, with a management team of esports veterans with experience as professional players, coaches and in the media.
It was the first esports franchise to join the London Stock Exchange.
Jamie Peel at Zeus Capital, which led the float and fundraise with Mirabaud Securities, said at the time that “the gaming industry has exploded in popularity, with esports quickly becoming a mainstream form of entertainment. This is only expected to accelerate in the coming years."
Esports companies are keen to monetise their huge audiences through media deals similar to those struck in football and tennis. But as the content is currently available for free on Twitch, some investors question whether this has potential.
