Blackburn entrepreneur launches esports studio on World Esports Day

By IN4.0 Group

22 Oct 2021

2c2a2390-pic-10-fav-16-9.jpg

A Blackburn entrepreneur is launching a first of its kind esports studio in MediaCity on World Esports Day on 23 October to offer a dedicated training space for local esports teams and bootcamps, focused on fostering future gaming talent and supporting the development of the esports and XR immersive community in the North West. 

Mo Isap, founder and CEO of IN4 Group, hopes the HOST Esports Studio will offer a training ground for esports, sporting local tournaments and act as a central gateway for stimulating skills and employment routes for young people to get into this emerging sector.

The esports industry is continuing to increase in popularity as global market revenue is predicted to grow to $1.62 billion in the next three years, and according to a study by Hitmarker, the number of jobs available in esports globally grew by 87 per cent from 5,896 in 2018 to 11,027 in 2019. 

Lancashire-based IN4 Group operates HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology, and is working with industry partners across the region to create an accessible, multi-disciplinary studio, to advocate esports related skills to prepare the next generation for tomorrow’s jobs, today.

It is building on its existing technology pedigree to establish an esports academy as part of its Skills City bootcamps, committed to providing fair access to digital skills training and breaking the barriers faced by those from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds, with links to its immersive labs and the UK Unity Centre of Excellence, a world leader in real-time 3D (RT3D) content.

Mo is partnering with Vexed Gaming, one of the UK's leading esports organisations, to support local talent at the HOST Esports Studio alongside education partners the University of Salford, to engage with young people interested in the digital and media-related skillsets esports offers in formal education. 

Blackburn-born Mo, said: “The incredible explosion of the esports market is continuing at a global scale, and we are excited to be leading on this accessible esports skills programme with our partners Salford City Council. Our ambition is for the North West to be a beacon for esports talent and to provide the industry with its next generation of pro gaming talent. Being part of the innovation ecosystem allows us to nurture local talent with the digital skills they need and support them into esports related careers, creating the most diverse, industry-ready talent that will help to drive prosperity in the region.”

Dr Maria Stukoff, co-chair Esport industry partnerships at the University of Salford, added: “This is really very powerful. This unique collaboration brings together local businesses and councils, esports professionals and educational giants all working together to develop a dynamic platform to engage with our local esports community and to connect talent straight into the industry.”

Mark Weller, chief gaming officer of Vexed Gaming said: “I am delighted to come on board and to secure a training ground for our professional teams here at Vexed Gaming and to support a local opportunity for young people to foster their passion for esports. Esports has provided me with a rewarding career, and we’re keen to invest back into our local community to build an esports ecosystem for everyone.”

World Esports Day is a joint initiative set up by the British Esports Association, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes and supports grassroots esports, along with streaming platform Twitch, the Singapore Esports Association (SGEA) and the Global Esports Federation.

Latest news

1

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector Mo Isap Chair Of The Lancashire Business Board Nick Miles National Cyber Force Deputy Director For Samlesbury Annette Weekes Representative Of The NWRDSC

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector

03 Jul 2025

2

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire BAE Systems Radar

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire

02 Jul 2025

3

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

4

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

5

Training 2000 celebrates 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrates 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin