Team management platform Esport-Management has rebranded to nicecactus.gg following the closure of its Series A round.
Raising €5 million (£4.3 million) from private investors, the company has also launched its Nicecactus Grassroots Esports Fund.
RELATED: Magic Gaming partners with Esport-Management
The €1 million (£861,270) fund has been launched to help amateur and semi-professional players to get further in the scene. The fund will accept applications for grants, which can be used towards travel and accommodation at events, booking bootcamps, upgrading equipment, and other costs associated with competing.
Nic van ‘t Schip, Marketing Director at nicecactus.gg commented on the launch in a release: “Our promise to the grassroots community is that nicecactus.gg helps players realize their true potential within competitive gaming. We do this by offering regular cash prize tournaments, providing access to pro esports guides and – in the near future – offering unique training games for our players to train and assess their progress.
“We are proud to provide a platform for everyone to level up their game. And now, with our Nicecactus Grassroots Esports Fund, we’re excited to provide a new service to help the best-of-the-best reach the next rank in their esports careers.”
RELATED: AS Monaco Esports adds Esport-Management as main partner
Registrations for the Nicecactus Grassroots Esports Fund open on October 22nd, with the ‘Road to Sponsorship’ following on December 20th. The fund application process will open to those who are eligible on January 27th and the first grants will be issued a month later.
Alexandre Amoukteh, Co-founder of nicecactus.gg also discussed the fund: “We deeply believe that if esports wants to enter the next stage of growth, it must be catered to and fostered at the grassroots level. By starting the Nicecactus Grassroots Esports Fund and raising additional capital to help unleash the full potential of every esports athlete, we further solidify our commitment to finding and raising the next generation of esports athletes.”
“Our new name, nicecactus, reflects our love for Nice, France — the bright, beautiful and sharp birthplace of our company. We want to create a place where everyone can forge their own path to pro by improving their skills and connecting amateur players with the pro world. Armed with our new name, funding and a new product, we’re one step closer to achieving that dream.”
RELATED: DreamHack enters partnership with Esport-Management for 2019
Applicants who show consistent performances in tournaments and nicecactus.gg’s training game programmes will be offered the grants. The first offers are due to be issued on the 27th of February 2020.
Esports Insider says: Scholarships and grants are an excellent way to support the organic growth of the amateur scene. Athletes showing promise get access to funding that enables their attendance at otherwise out of reach tournaments. Attending amateur events gives players a platform to start a professional career. A strong amateur scene feeds into a strong professional scene, which we all like to see.
ESI Autumn Forum – Find out more
