New esports and gaming platform EQ launches in London, hoping to help young people develop skills and gain employment

EQ Esports Logo

New esports and gaming venture EQ will this weekend unveil its vision to create opportunities for young people to develop their skills and employment opportunities through esports and gaming education.

EQ says it aims to open up career paths into the industry and to motivate gamers to engage with higher education, vocational courses and apprenticeships in the UK and beyond.

EQ will deliver events and collaborations such as retail partnerships, pop ups, events and online tournaments that will aim to benefit brands, esports teams, players and fans.

More specific details are set to be revealed at the ESI Pop-Up event on Saturday October 9th from 10am. This will take place at retail start-up Sook’s pop-up store at 58 Oxford Street, London.

There will also be activations from Veloce, 3D Aim Trainer, Wanyoo and We Are Nations at the event too, plus UK orgs LDN UTD and Lionscreed among others. 

“‘Where emotional intelligence plays’ is our ethos and we want to use gaming, competitive gaming and esports as a gateway to accelerating youth engagement, education, creativity and enterprise.”

Chris Bird, EQ

The person behind EQ is Chris Bird, who is also CEO at tour operator Sports Tours International, and has held senior positions at the likes of Manchester City (COO). He also runs his own PR firm, The Bird Consultancy.

Sam Cooke, co-founder and MD of Esports Insider (ESI), which is hosting the event, commented: “We continue to be excited to learn more about EQ and its vision. It’s great to see someone like Chris Bird who has been at the heart of JD Sports’ entry into esports and gaming creating a commercial business with a clear vision of social mobility through education and employment. EQ entering the market now is great timing.”

Chris Bird added: “EQ is not just another business to me, it is an extension of me. I wasn’t blessed with a high IQ but I make things happen because I believe emotional intelligence mobilises ideas and inspires people. This is a long-term project for me, there is no quick fix as I am determined to bridge the gap between the commercial focus and the social opportunities and needs and this will take time, investment and determination.

“Where emotional intelligence plays’ is our ethos and we want to use gaming, competitive gaming and esports as a gateway to accelerating youth engagement, education, creativity and enterprise.”

You can register for a free pass to the ESI Oxford Street Pop-Up talks here, and see more on EQ on its website here.

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