All posts by Matthijs Vink

H20 renews successful partnership with Red Bull!

H20 Esports extends partnership with Red Bull: Continuing to build the future of esports & gaming together

We are proud to announce the renewal of the partnership between H20 and Red Bull. This partnership, entering its 5th year with this agreement resulted in numerous memorable events and productions.

From the start, Red Bull has played an important role in making H20 unique as a stadium for esports and gaming within the Netherlands and Europe. One of the eye-catchers is the Red Bull Esports Area, a specially designed space with ten high-end gaming setups, five of which are on the first floor and five at a height of five meters, where both professionals and enthusiastic gamers can showcase their skills.

The first event in this space, Red Bull Flick, was the first 2v2 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament. The success of this event highlights not only the potential of this collaboration, but also the power of a growing gaming community.

In addition, the collaboration with Red Bull marked a breakthrough in content production for H20, with highlights being the filming of Red Bull Xceptional Player YouTube series and Red Bull Home Ground. These productions, shot entirely within the H20 Event location has opened new doors for our campus in terms of TV and esports productions.

A shared vision for the future
''At H20 we aim to be a home base for the growth of esports and gaming in the Netherlands,'' said Matthijs Vink. ''Red Bull has always supported us in this and we look forward to creating even more productions together and in doing so we continue to build a sustainable future for esports and gaming, with the goal of continuing to inspire our community."

H20 Esports Tech Campus extends partnership with Vissers Legal

Essential support for the development of Dutch gaming talent

H20 is pleased to announce that the collaboration with Vissers Legal, the Sports and Gaming Law specialist in the Netherlands, will be renewed. This collaboration is a crucial part within the Talent Development Program, through which H20 offers gaming talent the opportunity to develop not only as an esporter, but also as a total person.

Vissers Legal joined in 2022 as an official partner of the TOP program and has since played a role in supporting Dutch gaming talent. Vissers Legal shares H20's vision for the future of esports and the development of new talent within it.

A shared vision for talent development
Together with Vissers Legal, we are working on the further realization of our vision: the educational guidance of new gaming talent in the Netherlands towards a future within the esports world. H20 Esports Tech Campus is grateful to Vissers Legal for their valuable contribution within this program. We are committed to continue this initiative and continue to inspire gaming talent in their careers within this growing industry.

Looking ahead: upcoming editions in 2025
In 2025 we look ahead to new editions of the TOP program, where once again we will be looking for the game talent within the Netherlands. H20 invites talents to apply and participate in a program that will make them stronger not only within esports, but also beyond.

The esports world does not have subsidy structures like those that exist in traditional sports, but that should not stand in the way of talent development. Thanks to partners like Vissers Legal, we can offer continuity and quality to our talent programs. Their financial and substantive support makes it possible to give Dutch gaming talents a chance for personal and professional growth.

Rabobank and H20 extend partnership for three years

Building the future together with area development

"We would like to let the campus grow together, in line with the plans the Municipality of Purmerend has for the area development," says Ugur Pekdemir, director of Cooperative Rabobank. "Establishing a hub where tech companies and education know how to find each other creates a recognizable place in the region that we can use to attract young talent, thereby also stimulating business and economic prosperity."

"The fact that the municipality sees opportunities to convert the business park in the Koog into a live/work area offers even more opportunities for the region. As a cooperative bank, together with our partners, we want to make a substantial contribution to welfare and prosperity in North Holland North. The development of the campus fits in perfectly with that."

Technology for a new generation

Rabobank was an important partner of H20 from the beginning. "The fact that a reliable party like Rabobank has supported us from day one gives us tremendous confidence," said Matthijs Vink, co-founder of H20 Esports Campus. "Our campus offers not only entertainment, but also training and growth opportunities for companies. Here we prepare young people for the jobs of tomorrow. In addition, we have had the opportunity to facilitate many conferences and activities for Rabobank to inspire their stakeholders; truly a partnership as desired!"

Unique collaboration contributes to education, innovation and connection in the region

Rabobank has renewed its partner contract with H20 for three years. Five years ago, from the beginning of the establishment of H20, Rabobank joined H20 as a founding partner. From this came the Rabo Esports Stadium Amsterdam, located in the H20 Esports Campus.

This collaboration aims to prepare young people for the jobs of the future, stimulate innovation and support creative tech startups. The success of recent years was a good reason for both parties to continue the cooperation.

A hub for talent and development

The H20 Esports Campus in Purmerend, with more than 12,000 m2 of space, offers a unique environment where young talent comes together. The event location and the Esports Stadium, Europe's largest permanent esports and gaming center, are the heart of this campus. More than 100,000 visitors come there every year.

On the campus, tech talent, gamers and esporters meet, students are trained for jobs in creative technology and startups and innovative companies grow into success stories. Currently, the campus houses more than 40 companies and educational institutions such as Talland College and Hogeschool van Amsterdam work closely with H20. 

Focus on tech development
"The application of technology in business is broadening," notes founder Dirk Tuip. "Gamification is a powerful tool that helps companies and schools reach and engage younger audiences. Using game elements in non-game environments can also increase efficiency and improve the customer experience." Ugur Pedemir adds: "For the future-proofing of businesses, it is essential to embrace and deploy technology. "Gamification and other technological innovations not only help companies operate more efficiently, but also help them stay relevant to the new generation."

H20 Esports Campus and BrainsFirst launch innovative talent development partnership!

With the introduction of the NeurOlympics assessments at H20, gamers, athletes and professionals have the opportunity to discover their cognitive skills and talents through gamification.

This collaboration is an important step in combining gaming, science and personal development.

Visitors to the H20 Esports Campus can now participate in the BrainsFirst NeurOlympics, a series of science-based games that provide insight into working memory, stress resistance, spatial awareness and mental flexibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is the NeurOlympics?
The NeurOlympics consists of four games, each measuring a specific aspect of cognitive ability;

  1. Working memory and focus: receive information on skills such as anticipation, imperturbability and attention.
  2. Stress Resilience and Spatial Awareness: Discover how you perform under pressure and interpret your environment.
  3. Reaction time and mental flexibility: How quickly and effectively can you switch between tasks.
  4. Attention Shift and Information Processing: Gain insight into how accurately and efficiently you process information.

After playing the various games, you will receive a Brain Profile, which is a summary of unique cognitive abilities.

Versatile offerings
It's not just aimed at gamers! Thanks to extensive reporting capabilities, the assessments also offer value for a variety of purposes, such as;

  • Cognitive reports
  • Behavioral reports
  • Career Reports
  • Study choice reports (coming soon)

Future-oriented partnership
''With NeurOlympics, we are bringing an innovative and science-based way of talent development to our campus through gaming and gamification,'' said Matthijs Vink.

Visit the BrainsFirst booth at H20
Visitors to H20 Esports Campus can now try out the BrainsFirst booth and discover their own Brain Profile. Want to learn more or request a quote? Visit h20.gg/brainsfirst/

SG Gerrit Rietveld and H20 join hands again and extend their valuable partnership!

Ever since the start of H20, H20 and SG Gerrit Rietveld have been working together. SG Gerrit Rietveld closely follows the dynamic H20. The development of the Esports Tech Campus ensures that parties not only extend the cooperation, but also intensify it. A beautiful contract has been signed: the partnership is official!

SG Gerrit Rietveld stands for, among other things, appropriate education, vocational orientation or 'Discover your talents, learn with pleasure! and 'Learning by doing'. By collaborating with H20, students can now also actively contribute to events or projects on the H20 Campus, giving them practical experience. In addition, it is enormously valuable that they have the opportunity to learn new skills and develop new insights.

H20 also offers SG Gerrit Rietveld the opportunity to use a wide range of facilities and services, including the possibility of organizing school outings, use of teaching packages and/or meeting rooms.

With the intensification of cooperation, the development of the Esports Tech Campus will also become a major focus point. H20 and SG Gerrit Rietveld will jointly use their expertise to inspire the next generation of technological talents.

H20 organizes end-of-year and New Year outings/parties

The holidays are upon us again - that's the time to host your corporate event or party at H20 Event Location! Watch the following video for inspiration, click here.

Organize your upcoming event with us, we are ready to make your next party or event an unforgettable experience as well! 

From 10 people up to as many as 1000, combined with fun activities such as gaming or a pub quiz, anything goes!

Convivially end the end of the year with a unique company outing or start the year with a smashing reception!

 

H20 welcomes third edition of Samsung Innovation Campus with livestream kick-off

On October 17, 2024, we welcomed the Samsung to our H20 Esports Campus venue, the largest permanent Esports stadium in Western Europe. For the third edition of the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC)!

This technology program provides 90 youth between the ages of 12 and 17 with essential coding and programming skills. In an intensive game-based program, they get to work with Minecraft Code Builder, Scratch, Gamemaker and RUR-PLE, among others to prepare themselves for the digital future.

Following the success of previous editions in 2022 and 2023, with as many as 75 and 80 students participating, the Samsung Innovation Campus is further expanding its program this year. Samsung is thus taking a step forward to make technology accessible to a wider group of young people, with a special focus on those outside the mainstream education system.

Innovative collaboration with H20 Esports Campus

The H20 Esports Campus in Purmerend provides a unique setting for the trainings, where young people are introduced to digital skills in a stimulating and future-oriented environment. The choice of this location is in line with Samsung's vision to make technology accessible and inspiring to young people throughout the Netherlands and give every child equal opportunities.

Four locations in the Netherlands

In order to provide access to as many young people as possible from different regions, the trainings are offered not only in Purmerend, but also in Eindhoven, Utrecht and Rotterdam. Each student receives 10 three-hour lessons in which they learn programming and coding, with the support of experienced teachers and mentors. This gives them the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience.

Kick-off with live stream on Oct. 17

The kick-off took place on Oct. 17, 2024, and was presented by Samsung ambassador and esports icon Puck van den Brekel, better known as "puxque." She inspired the youngsters with her experience and enthusiasm for technology. For the first time, the kick-off was streamed live so that participants who could not physically attend could follow the event and witness the start of the program.

This intensive training ends in December 2024 with a celebratory graduation ceremony where participants will receive their certificates. This certificate reflects not only the skills they have acquired, but more importantly their commitment and perseverance.

Inclusiveness and future-oriented education

Samsung is committed to making technology education more accessible to young people, with a particular focus on those outside the mainstream education pathway. The Samsung Innovation Campus gives them the opportunity to gain valuable digital skills and get ready for an ever-changing job market. In 2023, for example, as many as eight participants were able to work at various tech companies & start-ups after participating in the Samsung Innovation Campus. Thus, they took their first step towards a job in the IT sector.

The third edition of the Samsung Innovation Campus offers young people a unique opportunity to develop their digital skills in an inclusive and inspiring environment. With this edition, Samsung remains committed to the future of the next generation of technology talent in the Netherlands

SPORTS & GAMING CHAMPIONSHIP PURMEREND @ H20 ESPORTS CAMPUS

Get ready for a true spectacle and represent your district in Purmerend or Beemster! Will you become the champion of your district and perhaps of all of Purmerend and will your team walk away with the prize pool worth €1200.

The Sports & Gaming Championship Purmerend is the championship in which every young person from Purmerend in the age category of 8 to 18 years can participate. The special feature of this championship is that you not only have to be able to game, but also play soccer or dance (Just Dance). You can win a total prize pool of €1,200 and various game prizes in 4 age categories.

In May and June there are several qualification tournaments per district in Purmerend and Beemster. By participating in these qualification tournaments you and your team of 3 youngsters can qualify for the grand final in the Rabo Esports Stadium on July 3, 2024. In these qualifying tournaments you will compete in a game (Fortnite or EAFC/FIFA) and a sport (3×3 soccer or Just Dance) to see who is the best. Click the button for more information regarding the qualifying rounds and finals!

Important detail, this championship is for residents of the municipality of Purmerend

Note: All qualifiers will be held at the Rabo Esports Stadium on the Spinnekop in de Koog, participation is completely free and you may only participate if your entire team is from Purmerend and is between 8 and 18 years old

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NET4IT and H20 launch partnership!

H20 is starting a great partnership with NET4IT! The company offers a high-quality service that includes taking care of the best network at H20. In addition, NET4IT has a lot of knowledge and expertise with regard to cloud solutions, connectivity, security, system and network management and VoIP solutions which means that an IT solution is always nearby. We are very much looking forward to working together for the next 3 years!

Together with NET4IT, H20 will work to keep the network and data of tenants, partners and visitors secure and working. The partnership will work to provide the best available network. We are very pleased with the partnership with NET4IT and look forward to the improvement opportunities NET4IT will provide! Redundancy and separate internet systems are, with so many different types of visitors and tenants, essential in the H20 campus

The cooperation began from the start of H20, Net4IT has grown with H20 and has always provided support. Now that the cooperation is formal, the intensity and thus quality will increase.

NET4IT can take advantage of several opportunities within H20, including the use of the streaming studio. In addition, NET4IT employees and partners have the opportunity to use other facilities at H20 such as the game hall and a tour of the Rabo Esports Stadium. The first sim racing team outing is planned by employees today.

Of course, NET4IT will now also become part of H20's business club, which ensures that partners, tenants, other clients and associates can come together several times a year to meet and network.

Matthijs founder of H20: "We want to stay innovative and relevant in as many areas as possible. By collaborating with NET4IT we can ensure that our network and its management remains good and optimal for our tenants, partners and all visitors of our events. "I am delighted with this great partnership." Through the intensive cooperation with NET4IT, we want to continuously improve quality, this is only possible with the best partners."

 

 

Rocket League Final during Dutch Media Week in Beeld & Geluid: NXT Wins €2500

HILVERSUM, 09-10-'23 - During the Xperience Days of Dutch Media Week there was exciting esports action in Beeld & Geluid, with the Rocket League Finale as the highlight. In an exciting competition co-sponsored by Alienware and Emma Sleep, the best gamers competed for the coveted title and a prize pool of €5000.

The event, which took place at the iconic Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision in Hilversum, attracted a large number of enthusiastic esports fans, local gamers and businesses. The Rocket League Finale was an excellent showcase of the fast-growing world of esports in the Netherlands. 16 teams with 48 gamers had qualified for the finals after months of nationwide qualifying at Go!Gaming, H20 Esports campus - Rabo Esports Stadium Amsterdam and the special KPN E-Truck.

NXT, the winning team of the Rocket League Final, put on an impressive performance on the beautifully decorated stage in the middle of Sound & Vision. Their teamwork, strategic approach and skills led to the win and the grand prize of €2500, several Alienware products and 3 delicious Emma Sleep pillows. The audience cheered NXT as they accepted the coveted trophy.

Alienware, a leading brand in gaming hardware, and Emma Sleep, an innovative player in sleep comfort, played an important role in organizing the Rocket League Finals. Thanks to their support, the event was able to take place, and during the day, the players were able to prepare in the best possible way in the Emma Recharge station, a specially equipped space to relax and rest before the games.

"It's great to see how esports lives and that we were able to link media with esports and gaming in Hilversum during the Xperience Days," said Sten Vos, Dutch Media Week organizer. "This event was a fantastic addition and a proof of the power of cooperation between H20 and Dutch Media Week."

The Rocket League Finale during Dutch Media Week was broadcast live online on Twitch and watched by tens of thousands of people, it was an unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike.

"The event was successful, we are very happy with that and even more important to us was the fact that throughout the day, in addition to the gaming competitions, there were lectures by speakers from different branches of the gaming industry. Educators, marketers, coaches, a lot was covered and this shows the diversity of the industry. "All this promotes the growth of the esports and gaming industry, we are very happy about that," said Matthijs Vink, founder of H20 Esports campus - Rabo Esports Stadium Amsterdam and Go!Gaming.