The Clutch

ABOUT
HOW IT WORKS
APPLICATION PROCESS
WHY ATTEND/SPONSOR
JUDGES
SPONSORS
LOCATION

The inaugural 'The Clutch' is done and dusted - with G-Science emerging victorious. Next up... New York City in April 2020.

ABOUT

We launched ‘The Clutch’ at ESI London 2019 with the aim of helping esports-related start up companies in need of funding and/or mentorship.

Over 30 companies applied to ‘The Clutch’, but ultimately 9 were chosen to pitch to five esteemed investors from the esports industry.

As part of our flagship ‘ESI London’ conference, each company had a dedicated part of our start up zone and had invaluable opportunity to network and learn from some of the industry’s leading investors.

Ultimately, G-Science came out on top this year – but who will take the accolade next time at The Clutch USA?

HOW IT WORKS?

The Clutch will provide ten start-ups an opportunity to pitch to an esteemed panel of investors with considerable experience in investment & esports.

Each start-up will take the stage and have four minutes to pitch – after which we’ll cut the mics dead.

The mics will come back up and the panel will have six minutes to ask questions and test the mettle of each individual.

The investors will, at the end of the day, decide who pitched and responded to questions the best. The winning start-up will then be presented the inaugural ‘The Clutch’ trophy – and who knows – there may well be investment offers forthcoming.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MENTORSHIP WITH TOP INVESTORS

CHANCE TO OBTAIN FUNDING

PLATFORM TO PRESENT YOUR PRODUCT TO THE WIDER INDUSTRY

MEDIA CONNECTIONS AND A CHANCE TO TALK TO THE MAINSTREAM PRESS

2 x TICKETS TO OUR FLAGSHIP CONFERENCE, ESI LONDON

TABLE-TOP STAND IN THE ESI START-UP ZONE AT ESI LONDON

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

PLEASE NOTE, THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS CURRENTLY CLOSED

MORE INFORMATION ON THE CLUTCH USA WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON

Stage 1: Please complete the application form here. All applications will be reviewed by the ESI team with assistance from the investors before a shortlist is created.

Stage 2: Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 9th August. Those who are invited to pitch will be encouraged to create a video for pre-event promotion and will have the opportunity for pre-event editorial to promote the product.

Stage 3: Those chosen will receive 2 x tickets to ESI London and be invited to join our industry leading conference. Day two will provide applicants with a small space in the “start-up zone” as well as the opportunity to meet and subsequently pitch to our esteemed panel of investors.

Stage 4: On the day, our panel of investors will decide on the best pitch and crown the inaugural winner of ‘The Clutch’.

WHY YOU SHOULD SPONSOR?

‘The Clutch’ is a unique content piece in the esports space which you can attach your business to from the very beginning. By becoming a partner of ‘The Clutch’, you have the opportunity to showcase your business and promote it as a leader, supporter and partner of the burgeoning esports industry.

Sponsorship will provide prominence to your brand across all aspects of ‘The Clutch’, from the editorial perspective in the run-up to the event, all the way through to the post-event video footage which will showcase the pitches and the very best from the day.

For more detail on ESI London and ‘The Clutch’ sponsorship opportunities, please email [email protected].

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND?

‘The Clutch’ will provide those embedded in the industry – and those outside of it – with the chance to see 10 esports focussed start-ups pitch to a panel of esteemed investors. Our investors have considerable experience in investment as well as esports and are best placed to assess and provide feedback to each contestant.

It will provide insight into the pitching process, and how anyone can turn what may have once been a passing thought into a meaningful product fit for purpose.

Attendees to ‘The Clutch’ also have the chance to enjoy, with a two-day ticket, the entirety of ESI London – bringing industry leading content, from top speakers, to Twickenham Stadium across two days. With multiple tracks addressing pertinent industry issues, there’s no shortage of knowledge to be gained and people to meet.

MEET THE JUDGES

Helen Sarah Gammons

Relationship Manager - Media & Entertainment Group

HSBC Private Bank

Malte Barth

Founding Partner

BITKRAFT

Spike Laurie

Venture Director

Hiro Capital

Amit Jain

Esports Investor

Rewired.GG

David Martin

Director - Investment Committee

Esports Global Fund

LOCATION

Twickenham Stadium
Whitton Rd
Twickenham,
TW2 7BA

DIRECTIONS