Winners named at inaugural Esports Leaders Honours

The inaugural Esports Leaders Honours took place on 19 June in Cologne, held across the Hyatt Regency and Cologne City Hall during Global Esports Industry Week. The event recognised individuals, organisations and initiatives across leadership, product innovation, commercial campaigns and grassroots development in esports.

Team Vitality co-founder Fabien ‘neo’ Devide received the Esports Leader award and accepted a second prize when Team Vitality won the Standout Esports Advertising Campaign for its work with sponsor Stake. The advertising category included an honourable mention for DHL’s collaboration with ESL and Chew Productions on The Dispatch.

EVA, the operator of virtual reality esports arenas, won Best Product Innovation in Esports. Judges cited the company’s expansion strategy, recent fundraising and the launch of structured competitive VR leagues that involve several major European esports organisations.

NOVO Esports co-founder and chief executive Emanuele Acerbis was named Rising Star in Esports. The launch of the Esports Nations Cup received Industry Development of the Year. Leipzig eSports received the Local Hero award, a category selected in partnership with the German federation E-Sport-Bund Deutschland.

Ole Martin Gjestad of KRED Norge won the Access and Grassroots Champion prize, with an honourable mention for Mags Byrne of EStars. Shortlisted nominees across categories included club executives, event organisers and industry figures.

The awards were produced with participation from The Esports Radar, part of The Insights Group, and were presented during the wider Global Esports Industry Week programme. The organisers created the honours to recognise work that supports the esports industry beyond competitive play.