Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill, Riot Games – Co-founders of Riot Games, the studio behind ‘League of Legends’, one of the biggest esports titles globally. Their forward-thinking strategies have revolutionized esports viewership, player welfare, and competitive structures.
Jens Hilgers, ESL and BITKRAFT – Hilgers founded the Electronic Sports League (ESL), a cornerstone of organized esports competitions. He’s also behind BITKRAFT, an early-stage investment company focusing on the esports ecosystem.
Emmett Shear, Twitch – Co-founder and CEO of Twitch, the leading live streaming platform for gamers. Twitch has become synonymous with esports viewership, offering both professionals and amateurs a platform to showcase their talents.
Mike Sepso, Major League Gaming (MLG) – Sepso co-founded MLG, one of the first and largest professional esports leagues in North America. His vision for structured competitive gaming was ahead of its time and paved the way for future leagues.
Suning and Tencent, Honor of Kings – Tencent’s “Honor of Kings” became one of the biggest mobile esports titles, especially in China. Suning, a key player behind its esports scene, has showcased the game’s global competitive potential.
Steve Arhancet and Victor Goossens, Team Liquid – Co-CEOs of one of the most successful and influential esports organizations. Their approach to team management, player welfare, and branding has made Team Liquid a model for other organizations.
Adam Apicella, Vindex – Formerly part of MLG, Adam’s expertise is in producing high-quality esports events. At Vindex, he continues to push for elevating the live event experience for esports aficionados.
Sam and Anne Mathews, Fnatic – Founders of Fnatic, one of Europe’s premier esports organizations. Their understanding of brand-building in the esports world has made Fnatic not just a competitive team but also a global brand.
Matthew Archambault, Riot Games – As the head of NA Partnerships and Business Development for Riot Games, Matthew plays a crucial role in liaising with sponsors, media partners, and teams, ensuring the League of Legends Championship Series remains a marquee event.
Paul Chaloner, Esports Host and Commentator – Often known as ‘Redeye’, Chaloner is one of the most respected figures in the esports broadcasting world. His insights into game dynamics, player stories, and event presentation have elevated the standard of esports commentary.
