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Press release:
SINGAPORE (MARCH 4, 2020) – Esports Players League (ESPL) –– the new global esports tournament network and platform –– announced today that, as part of its seed round, it has secured a significant investment from the highly-regarded early-stage venture capital firm, 500 Startups, intended to support ESPL in executing its initial business objective of rolling out ESPL-branded tournaments and platforms to ten countries in its first year of operation.

500 Startups has been named as the most active venture capital firm in the world for the year 2019 by PitchBook’s annual ranking, having made the highest number of investment deals recorded globally. It’s also the world’s most active venture capital firm in exits.

ESPL is a global esports tournament platform provider focused on creating mobile ecosystems for amateur esports leagues globally.

Through ESPL’s national franchise model, up-and-coming esports talents can easily participate in global competitions. By facilitating grassroots participation in what is a rapidly expanding market, ESPL has direct access and exposure to a large, valuable and often overlooked segment of the esports industry.

“We are delighted to have secured this support from the highly-regarded team at 500 Startups, and it serves as a very encouraging endorsement of ESPL’s vision for the future of esports and our achievements to date,” said ESPL CEO Michael Broda.

“Our team is committed to delivering esports as mainstream entertainment to the global online gamer community and, in order to achieve this, we require the support of a number of robust global partners. As such, we are very excited to work with 500 Startups and future investees of 500 Startups that are aligned with our esports mission as our relationship continues to evolve.”

“Esports is poised to surpass traditional sports. Research suggests that the global esports audience is expected to reach 645 million in 2020, surpassing baseball, rugby, and American football. ESPL’s founding team has seen and been part of esports’ growth.

As with sports, it is inevitable that players in all countries and levels demand avenues to compete, participate and watch. We’ve reviewed many esports business models and found this team and their vision most compelling. We look forward to supporting them in their global journey,” commented Khailee Ng, Managing Partner of 500 Startups.

Phase one of ESPL’s global roll-out has yielded franchise partnership agreements in Southeast Asia and Latin America. ESPL also entered its first media partnership with eGG Network, the largest esports TV network in Southeast Asia and Australia that reaches approximately 100 million TV viewers. ESPL will announce additional key international partnerships soon.

The first ESPL season is planned to run from April to November 2020, with official details about the tournaments and locations to be announced soon.

ESPL is co-founded by former eSports.com CEO Michael Broda, Kin Wai Lau, founder of iCandy Interactive Limited (ASX: ICI), and Datuk Azrin Bin Mohd Noor of behavioral data and technology firm Sedania Innovator Berhad.

eSports.com is a leading global esports media company, and iCandy Interactive is a mobile games developer that serves a community of 350 million gamers.

About ESPL
The Esports Players League (ESPL) is a global esports tournament and platform that is developing an amateur competition network via a hybrid online and on-ground model.

ESPL is launching a global footprint across 16 countries in its initial phase, covering Asia, Europe, and the Americas. ESPL’s central focus is on mobile esports, with PC and console-based video games also featured on its diverse network of quality esports content.

ESPL is managed by its headquarters in Singapore and regional offices in Cologne and Los Angeles. For more info, visit espl.co or email [email protected].

About 500 Startups
500 Startups is a venture capital firm on a mission to discover and back the world’s most talented entrepreneurs, help them create successful companies at scale, and build thriving global ecosystems. It is one of the most active venture capital firms in the world.

Since its inception in Silicon Valley, 500 Startups has invested in over 2,400 companies via its 5 global funds and 17 thematic funds dedicated to either specific geographic markets or verticals. Its 100+ team members are located in 20 countries around the world in order to support the 500 Startups global portfolio of investments which spans more than 75 countries.

Jonas “O.J” Ek
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @TheGamingGround