4All Levels and BRASH esports move to the campus of H20 esports
Influencer marketing & PR agency 4AllLevels has moved last month together with the esports team Brash esports to H20 in Purmerend. Management and staff have moved into the former school building, which will be converted into a campus for esports, gaming and creative tech. The total building comprises 10,000 m2 and includes the Rabo Esports Stadium, a gaming club, coworking space and incubator space for startups.
4AllLevels influencer marketing
The name of the agency 4All Levels may not be super familiar, but the names vThorben, Ronald, Mick, Paraduze and the MANSION will certainly be familiar to many under 20s. 4All Levels does the management, PR and merchandising for a number of influencers. The agency, which was based in the Aalsmeer studios until now, sees several advantages in choosing H20. Miranda Huybers, owner of 4AllLevels: "We were actually immediately enthusiastic about the H20 ambitions and plans. In recent years we have grown strongly and are active at various locations. At H20 we can house everything under one roof. Our office, merchandising/storage, bootcamp area for Brash esports as well as equipment for recording content, for example. The Rabo Esports Stadium is a cool event location, where we will certainly organise events. Despite the fact that the campus hasn't been rebuilt yet, we have decided to move already. We're already comfortable here and will actively help to create a hub around gaming and esports."
First impression of the campus, where various companies in the field of esports, gaming and creative tech including 4all Levels have already moved in
Strategic partners
"As initiators, we have no background in the gaming and esports world, so we started actively looking for strategic partners," said Dirk Tuip on behalf of H20. "We are proud and happy that Miranda and her team from 4AllLevels have chosen to make a long term commitment to H20. They have built up a lot of experience and knowledge in a world that is still completely unknown to many companies."
Sheep over the dam
About the collaboration: "This collaboration goes far beyond renting space. The goal is to connect parties and play a driving role in the further development and professionalisation of esports and gaming in The Netherlands. The coming year various events will be organised to put H20 further on the map. One has to be the first, but we both hope that with 4AllLevels and Brash esports more 'sheep' will follow," says Dirk.
Sports Entertainment Group (SEG) partner of H20 Esports
H20 esports and the Sports Entertainment Group (SEG) today announced a partnership. An important step for H20 as SEG becomes the first name partner of a gaming studio. This space will be renamed to the official 'SEG Esports Studio' and will be available not only to SEG, but also to visitors of H20.
SEG is an international sports company, active in 22 countries. Over the past 19 years, SEG has become a global leader in talent management, with hundreds of clients in football, cycling and esports.
SEG Esports
Rowan Stroo, Managing Director Esports at SEG:
"SEG brings together decades of experience in the 'traditional' sports world with an in-depth knowledge of the young esports industry. This combination enables us to support esports players with a service of the highest quality. These include: career planning, contract negotiations, daily management, brand building, endorsements and talent development.
We currently specialise in Overwatch, Call of Duty and Counter-Strike:GO. At SEG we know what it takes to realise the ambitions of players, coaches and commentators. Gamers who aspire to a career in esports will soon be able to showcase their talents on the H20 campus. Through special trial days in the SEG Esports Studio, players will be able to catch the eye of the biggest esports teams in the world, who will visit the H20 campus for bootcamps organised by SEG Esports.
--------------------------------------- Note to editors:
For more information on H20 esports or Sports Entertainment Group, visit www.h20.gg or www.seg.gg or contact Dirk Tuip at dirk@h20.gg or on 06-34656537. About H20 esports:
H20 is the platform for 'Developing the Next Generation through gaming, esports and creative tech'. Esports is a strong growth market with which youth and young adults feel strongly connected. The H20 Campus brings worlds together and explicitly connects with personal development, competition and education. Gamers, esporters and influencers are the developers of the future. About Sports Entertainment Group (SEG):
Since its founding in 2000, SEG has become a top 3 global talent agency in football (according to Forbes Magazine). Hundreds of top footballers, cyclists and esports players use the services of more than 100 SEG agents every day. SEG can draw on a large international network with activities in 22 countries on 4 continents. SEG takes care of its clients in every aspect of their professional career, 'your talent, our profession'.
Mobile esports games generated $15.3 billion in revenue last year
Mobile will grow strongly in the next five years. This is evident from a new 45-page report by Niko Partners. This report states that mobile esports games are about to become a cornerstone of the global gaming industry. In terms of gross revenue, mobile esports games are on track to surpass PC esports games, which produced 16.1 billion in revenue last year...
Due to the use of mobile devices, gaming and esports will become more accessible to everyone. The mechanisms of revenue models for mobile games will make it much easier to participate in esports.
Revenues from mobile gaming already exceed those from PC and console gaming. The development of the markets for mobile gaming will further tip this balance worldwide.
Market stabilisation sets the stage for mobile esports
The market research agency Niko Partners predicted that mobile will grow the fastest in the esports industry. Due to the fact that esports games on mobile already account for 25% of revenues.
Competitive games that are accessible to the mass market at the amateur level are creating the next wave of global esports development. The first wave of this is setting up the platforms for participation. This is made possible by the popularity of esports in general. That popularity in turn has a direct impact on the development of mobile esports. "Mobile esports tournaments will engage consumers not only as spectators but also as participants," says Lisa Hanson managing partner of Niko Partners.
"This will lead to mass market participation and engagement. This will grow a much larger audience for esports and create new opportunities for revenue. We will see the transition from fewer large tournaments to large numbers of smaller tournaments open to anyone who wants to participate". However, there are four PC esports titles that generated more than one billion dollars last year. As opposed to just two in the mobile titles. League of Legends remains the most important game in PC esports, generating 1.9 billion last year.
Gamers First moves with production team and esports competitions to Rabo Esports Stadium Amsterdam
Esports Competition Operator & Broadcast Producer Gamers First will move into the Rabo Esports Stadium Amsterdam before the end of 2019. H20 esports and Gamers First will enter into a strategic partnership. The productions Dutch College League, Benelux Premier League and the Mijndomein Masters will in any case have a fantastic new location. Gamers will be able to get used to playing in a professional stadium.
H20 looking for esports knowledge
Dirk Tuip of H20: "In recent months we have spoken to many parties in the Netherlands that have been active in the world of esports for some time. Especially because we don't have the specific knowledge of this world ourselves. We are therefore looking for parties that can bring in this knowledge in different areas. We have also noticed that the Dutch esports and gaming world has good initiatives, but that it is difficult to bring this to a higher level and ensure continuity at the same time."
Dutch Counterstrike and League of Legends fans and players next year in Rabo esports stadium
Experience in esports productions
Joost has experienced this with Gamers First. Matthijs Vink (H20): "In recent years, Gamers First has had several locations that had potential but were not designed for esports, or where esports and gaming were central. This has put a brake on growth, although the potential is definitely there. With this partnership we hope to offer (semi-) professional esports competitions a location they deserve, and expect to be able to make a big leap forward due to the production value of the broadcasts. The joint (media-) exploitation brings the unique esports event location of H20 together with the highest echelon in the field of esports competitions and TV- and broadcast productions of Gamers First. Hopefully this will benefit the entire industry. It will also allow Gamers First to focus on what they do best. H20 will add to this its long experience in top sports, marketing and commerce." Gamers First and H20 look forward to the first joint productions."
Working with everyone
The cooperation with Gamers First brings together two unique strengths. Tuip: "We don't believe in a closed system, and we are happy to have a partner on board who believes in it. Rabo Esports Stadium Amsterdam wants to facilitate and become an ecosystem for everyone with an interest in esports, gaming and creative tech. We hope other parties will follow. This way we can get a real training institute and permanent stadium in The Netherlands that is suitable for national and international tournaments. This is only possible by working together. Joost has already helped us enormously in recent months with his knowledge of broadcasting and productions."
Joost Roset of Gamers First and Matthijs Vink of H20 shake hands at Gamescom 2019
Dutch College League and Benelux Premier League
The move to Purmerend means in any case that the Mijndomein Masters (Counterstrike: Global Offensive), the Dutch College League and the Benelux Premier League (both League of Legends, the latter in a partnership with the game developer Riot Games) will be organised and broadcasted from the Rabo Esports Stadium from 2020. Joost Roset: "We have been looking for professionalisation for a long time, especially in the field of location, marketing and commerce. With Matthijs and Dirk, and with this step, we expect to bring our complete organisation and the productions we organise in all facets to a more professional level." Roset continues: "This is a new development that also takes time. The market in the Netherlands is of course smaller than in America or Asia. We have had quite a few discussions recently, but I am very happy with this cooperation and hope that we can now continue to grow."
Rabobank and H20 unite youth in first esports stadium in the Netherlands
The Netherlands will soon have its first esports stadium. Rabobank and H20 will join forces in the coming three years to bring young people together in the Rabo Esports Stadium Amsterdam. In addition, the parties want to encourage innovation in creative tech startups and businesses. Rabobank Waterland en Omstreken and H20 esports announced this news today in Cologne during Gamescom 2019, the largest game fair in the world.
Connecting young people and entrepreneurs together
Eric Zwart, Chairman of the Board of Rabobank Waterland en Omstreken: "The world of the future lies open for young people at the Rabo Esports Stadium Amsterdam. The great thing is that we can connect young people here in real life. And in addition to gaming, H20 is strongly committed to education. Together we can teach the youth to game responsibly. In addition, the esports stadium will provide business space for game- and tech-related companies. Because they can easily meet each other, it offers opportunities for entrepreneurs to come up with innovative plans together. For the Waterland region, as an important part of the Amsterdam metropolitan area, it can be a catalyst for economic growth. This, together with the strong support from the municipality and the education sector, makes us enthusiastic about our collaboration with H20. As our mission states, here we are really building a better world together for young people and entrepreneurs."
Esports to the next level in the Netherlands
Founder Dirk Tuip of H20 esports: "Internationally, esports has grown into a billion-dollar industry with professional teams, matches in sold-out stadiums, millions in prize money and also gaming clubs where visitors pay to play. We have great ambitions to make the Netherlands part of this industry. We are therefore very proud that Rabobank dares to take this step with us. This is one of the first structural esports sponsoring deals. Hopefully it's a start and more large parties in The Netherlands will follow and embrace esports and gaming structurally. The next generation is waiting for it. More and more companies want to connect with this new generation, which is often also very tech-minded."
Rabo esports stadium Amsterdam
What is there to do in the esports stadium? Dirk Tuip: "We want all kinds of esports matches, tournaments and gaming events to be organised in the Rabo Esports Stadium Amsterdam. All necessary facilities are available, think of: broadcasting, a place for shoutcasters, a stage with players desks, play areas, etc. There is also a gaming club. This is comparable to a sports club, where you can improve your gaming skills individually or as a team with high-quality gaming gear, such as PCs and accessories. For more information, please visit www.h20.gg.
Frits Dix gets into esports and gaming and with that the financing of H20 esports is complete
Purmerend entrepreneur Frits Dix (Director of NMT Shipping) enters the world of gaming and esports through a participation in H20 esports BV. The ambitious plans of H20 esports thus become reality. The investment completes the financing of the first esports stadium in The Netherlands. The demolition of the current sports hall De Koogmolen at the Spinnekop 1-2 in Purmerend has been completed. The rebuilding is about to start.
A new world, a new market
Frits Dix: "When I was approached by Matthijs Vink, one of the initiators, my interest was aroused immediately. Every day I see young people around me only on their mobile phones, on social media or for gaming. When I heard the plans, it was clear to me that this is not just a market that is growing fast. H20 (www.h20.gg) also offers great opportunities for young people in and around Purmerend and Waterland, which I also find very important. I also enjoy helping young entrepreneurs with the experience that I have gained as an entrepreneur.
Esports Stadium Amsterdam
Matthijs Vink (H20): 'Initially, we only focused on the campus next to the sports hall. On the ground floor of this campus we wanted to use esports and gaming elements as part of the campus. However, after a number of trips abroad, we saw several large gaming clubs and also stadiums where people come to watch competitive gaming (esports). From that moment on, we raised our ambitions and the sports hall fitted in perfectly. However, this was a big challenge financially. We then approached Frits Dix. He immediately reacted positively and that gave us the right move to continue.
Developing the next generation
Matthijs continues: 'As time went on, the plans became better and more professional. Partly due to the input and experience of Frits. The beginning is always difficult. Certainly in this new world that still has to grow in the Netherlands. With the investment of Frits the financing of the esports stadium is now complete. In phase two of our business plan we will tackle the campus in the coming months. The focus is now on starting up the esports activities. Our mission is 'developing the next generation through gaming and esports'.
TechConnect partner of H20 Esports
H20 Esports and the tech-talent programme TechConnect of the Amsterdam Economic Board have joined forces in a strategic partnership. Both parties will help each other to achieve their goals. H20 Esports is in line with the goals and ambitions of TechConnect to reach young people and show them the opportunities of training and jobs in technology.
H20 Esports Amsterdam reaches 10,000 young people
Founder Dirk Tuip of H20: "We see H20 Esports Gaming as part of the tech and startup hub in Amsterdam. We contacted Amsterdam at an early stage and are delighted that they are now promoting us as the place to be for esports and gaming in the Amsterdam metropolitan region. Purmerend is only 15 minutes from Amsterdam central and 20 minutes from Schiphol, so has an ideal location, especially internationally."
Tuip continued: "The gaming industry is fascinating because it acts as a catalyst for the tech and creative media. It also has a huge appeal for young people. Gaming is driven by technological and creative innovation (3D, VR, digital networks, new media, etc.) and it has scalability and distribution channels comparable to software companies. H20 is therefore also going to reach at least 10,000 young people over the next 2 years.
If people do this out of passion for something they love and they want to get good at it, we hope to become the place where the ultimate combination of esports, gaming and creative tech can be found on a daily basis.
TechConnect focuses on homegrown tech talent and equality of opportunity
Viktor Bos, TechConnect program director at Amsterdam Economic Board: TechConnect is going to ensure equity of opportunity and increase diversity in the tech labor market in the Amsterdam region. By making tech training and jobs accessible to everyone, 50,000 people from underrepresented groups will storm the tech labor market over the next four years.
Tech is also everywhere and cuts across all sectors and levels of education. It affects everyone. And we need everyone to fill the IT jobs. H20 Esports and TechConnect aim to give as many people as possible who are reached through Esport the chance to go into a tech education and/or enter a tech job. This can be as game development, drones, virtual reality, but also as a designer or growth hacker. We also believe that a diverse group of 'tekkies' are both economically and socially very much needed in the coming years to make tech for everyone again.
In short, H20 Esports in cooperation with TechConnect will be the platform for everyone who wants to make a difference.
----------------------------------
Note to editors:
For more information about H20, the campus or the esports gaming stadium, go to www.h20.gg or contact Dirk Tuip at dirk@h20.gg or via 06-34656537.
About H20 esports:
H20 will be a platform for Developing the Next Generation through gaming, esports and creative tech. Esports is a strong growth market with which youth and young adults feel strongly connected. The H20 Campus brings worlds together and explicitly connects with personal development, competition and education. Gamers, esporters and influencers are the developers of the future.
About TechConnect:
On the initiative of the Amsterdam Economic Board, Booking.com, Rabobank, TomTom and the training fund CA-ICT, dozens of companies, educational institutions and governmental organisations from the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area are participating in increasing diversity in the tech sector and creating an inclusive labour market of tech jobs, spread across the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. For more information visit: www.techconnect.city
H20 Esports present at PET event Purmerend
Last Thursday, 20 June, around 900 group 6 pupils from the entire region were introduced to the possibilities of technique during the PET event Purmerend. The promotional event for technology (PET) is a wonderful opportunity to bring children from primary school into contact with technology in the broadest sense. The events are organised for pupils in group 6, 7 or 8 and take place at various locations in North Holland. The PET event was this time in Purmerend where H20 Esports was present with racing seats. These were very much appreciated by the young students. Besides that, the youngsters were asked what their wishes are concerning the H20 gaming centre.
About PET-events
PET events are organised for young children. However, they are not the only target group. For teachers, there is information and inspiration about activities at school/in the classroom. The organisation tries to get companies to cooperate with the education sector in order to improve engineering and science education.
H20 in the news
Wednesday 29 May was the official launch of H20. After years of preparation, the world finally got to know about H20's great ambitions. Under the watchful eye of local, regional and national media, initiators Dirk Tuip and Matthijs Vink talked about the plans on behalf of Stichting H20. After the launch, the initiative was picked up by several media, including the AD. Below is an overview of the media items about H20 esports.
AD.nl
This is what the future 'game arena' for e-sports looks like A former sports hall in Purmerend will be converted into a 'game arena' and will open its doors in the autumn for what is to become 'the Papendal for Esports & Gaming'.
BNR Radio
BNR Radio interviewed Matthijs Vink.
Esports Club
Dutch esports campus H20 announced An esports campus is coming to Purmerend. The former school building and the accompanying sports hall Regio College and De Koogmolen will be transformed into the H20 Campus, a project that should put The Netherlands on the map in terms of esports. Besides offering gamers the opportunity to develop themselves as professional players, the location also offers the possibility for large-scale events thanks to an arena. H20 also wants to help young people's passion to flourish in future work, whether in esports or any other field. Read more >>
Family sheet
Purmerend on the map of the gaming industry Dirk Tuip, Matthijs Vink and Johan de Punder prepare for the future. The future of H20, the future of Purmerend and the future of our next generation. H20 will be the largest (10,000 m2) permanent gaming centre, tech campus and esports stadium in Europe. A place where students, startups and companies interact daily, learn from each other and get inspired. And before the end of the year, the doors of H20 will be opened. Read more >>
Greater Waterland
Largest permanent esports gaming centre of Europe 10.000m2 in Amsterdam Waterland Europe's largest permanent gaming centre and esports stadium (10.000 m2) will be located in Purmerend (Amsterdam Waterland). After years of preparation the world may finally know about H20's big ambitions. Under the watchful eye of local, regional and national media, initiators Dirk Tuip and Matthijs Vink talked about the plans on behalf of Stichting H20. Read more >>
Leidsch Dagblad
*Click on the article to enlarge the image.
Noordhollands Dagblad
New e-sports campus of H20 in Purmerend should attract around 100,000 visitors by 2020 Spinnekop H20 foundation cannot be denied ambition. The initiators want to open a centre for gaming, e-sports and creative tech in Purmerend and are counting on 100,000 visitors next year. Read more >>
Noordhollands Dagblad
Largest permanent esports and gaming centre in Europe coming to Purmerend Big tournaments with lots of fans in the stands cheering on the fanatical gamers who in turn compete for fat prize pools. That is the world of gamers and esports. And Purmerend must become the esports and gaming Walhalla of Europe. Read more >> Or download the article as PDF here.
RTV Purmerend
Purmerend gets accommodation for online gaming and international game competitions The renovation of sports hall De Koogmolen, the site of the new gaming accommodation, will start in June and open its doors in October. The hall will offer Purmerend space for eSports; a place for online gaming and international game competitions combined with traditional sports such as table tennis, pool and air hockey. The hall will be the showpiece of Stichting H20, which will be opening an ICT campus in the adjacent school building on Spinnekop in January 2020. Read more >>
RTV Purmerend
Presentation H20 in sports hall the Koogmolen (video)
New Volendam
The weekly magazine in the municipality of Edam/Volendam could not stay behind either. Here the piece by Eddy Veerman about esports and gaming stadium in Edam / Volendam.
piece in NIVO Edam / Volendam about Esports and Gaming Centre
H20 unveils plans for largest permanent esports & gaming centre in Europe (10,000 m2)
The largest permanent gaming centre and esports stadium in Europe (10,000 m2) is coming to Purmerend (Amsterdam Waterland). After years of preparation the world can finally know about H20's big ambitions. Under the watchful eye of local, regional and national media, initiators Dirk Tuip and Matthijs Vink talked about the plans on behalf of Stichting H20. Alderman Mario Hegger on behalf of the Municipality of Purmerend and Koen Schobbers, the first professional esporter in the Netherlands, played a match against each other in the virtual world. In the autumn of 2019, H20 will open its doors in Purmerend: a sports hall and school building totalling 10,000 m2 will be converted into Europe's largest centre for gaming, esports and creative tech.
Announcement event took place in the hall where the renovation will start on Monday 3 June.
Dirk Tuip about H20
Tech-entrepreneur and inventor Dirk Tuip already wanted an IT/tech campus in the centre of Purmerend five years ago, where students, startups and companies would interact daily in one building. "This failed for all sorts of reasons, but we have taken the experiences of the past three years of preparation for this project on board. It may well be that we are too early for something this big in the Netherlands, but we would rather be too early than too late."
Municipality of Purmerend no longer a sleeping town
Mario Hegger, Alderman for Economic Affairs of the Municipality of Purmerend, was a very happy man. Not only because he was allowed to compete via Virtual Reality Gaming with former professional esporter Koen Schobbers. "Last week, there was very broad support for this project from the Town Council. A large majority approved a budget of €300,000 for the maintenance of this sports hall. H20 will also receive a rent reduction for the first two years to give them time to get their concept off the ground.
Councilman Mario Hegger and Koen Schobbers after a match in the virtual world.
With the advent of the H20 Campus, Purmerend, as a centrally located town within the Amsterdam metropolitan region, will become the magnet for gaming and the technology of the future. This will open doors to major economic opportunities and tap into new markets and talents. I also think it is important that H20 starts a dialogue with young people about responsible online behaviour. It is also good to see that attention is being paid to the new trend of combining gaming and physical exercise. From all these social and economic angles, we see great opportunities and that is why we are happy to support H20," said Mario Hegger.
Esports is top-class sport
Co-founder Matthijs Vink talked about the comparisons between his experiences as a top handball player in Spain - where he was a professional for more than ten years - and what he sees now among esports players. "In the end, it's about passion, ambition and inspiration. Where I used to be sceptical about gaming, in the last two years I have seen more and more that they have exactly the same passion and ambition as I once had when I went abroad. That is what H20 is all about. Offering opportunities to talent so they can discover how good they can become in esports. I see a lot of similarities between top-level sports and esports. I think both worlds can learn a lot from each other. Not everyone will make it to become a top athlete, but that's exactly why we want to guide young people in their social career," says Matthijs Vink.
H20 wants to offer future talents the chance of a career in esports or the jobs of the future.
Matthijs Vink spoke about top-class sport versus esports
Opening H20 esports before the end of the year
The rebuilding of Sporthal de Koogmolen on Spinnekop will start on Monday 3 June. The school building will follow in two months. This will be renovated to become the campus. With offices and workplaces for students, startups and companies in the field of gaming, esports and creative tech. Dirk Tuip: "Our website www.h20.gg is now live with visuals and backgrounds about our plans. The completion of the hall and thus the opening of the esports gaming stadium will follow later this year. The completion of the campus will take place early next year. But we cannot do this alone. We are actively looking for partners to help us build this permanent venue into something unique in Europe. We are happy that we can now at least really get started."
----------------------------------------
Note to editors:
For more information about H20, the campus or the esports gaming stadium, visit www.h20.gg or contact Dirk Tuip at dirk@h20.gg or via 06-34656537.
About H20 esports:
H20 will be a platform for Developing the Next Generation through gaming, esports and creative tech. Esports is a strong growth market with which youth and young adults feel strongly connected. The H20 Campus brings worlds together and explicitly connects with personal development, competition and education. Gamers, esporters and influencers are the developers of the future. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitch and Discord via H20 esports.
