“The esports demographic is tech-savvy and is looking for data-driven experiences”

With over 20 years of experience in tech startups, what inspired you to venture into the esports industry with Bayes Esports?

Whether I was playing chess or exploring different computer games, I have always had an interest in competitive gaming. My favorite being League of Legends which I even competed in at a very casual level. I always knew the esports industry was exciting but as my career progressed, I recognized the huge opportunities it presented as well. It was unmarked territory that hadn’t been explored yet. I wanted to be part of shaping the industry and bringing something new to the landscape.

Esports also requires a multidisciplinary approach. On one hand, it encompasses the esports sector, and on the other side it requires a deep knowledge of the betting and media industry. Navigating the technological advancements and market shifts presents a very dynamic and exciting industry to work in.

How has your role as CTO of Delivery Hero and VP for Click & Buy influenced your approach to leadership and innovation at Bayes Esports?

When I set out on my career, I did not have the sole goal of becoming a CEO. I went into it on the technical side of things and with a lot of curiosity. From there, I developed into a leadership position, learning a lot along the way. At Click & Buy I gained experience in the payment industry and Delivery Hero I discovered a lot about the marketing and networking businesses.

But the underlining thing I have always been interested in is how we can apply theoretical and scientific concepts to reality. I wanted to bring new technology to real economic problems. With an interest in esports and a desire in developing my own product ideas, the step into Bayes Esports was a natural fit. Over time, I learned how important it is to empower people by giving them the opportunity to try things out and potentially make mistakes. This is what ultimately shaped my leadership style.

Can you share more about the strategic partnerships and product developments Bayes Esports is looking to double in the near future?

The Bayes Esports vision is to build an ecosystem around esports. We do not necessarily create everything ourselves, but rather create the products and services that connect the solutions together.

For example, not every betting operator will have their own data models and trading team. Bayes Esports can help fill this gap and provide the tools to build a successful betting portfolio from the ground up. By accessing our Live Odds marketplace, these types of betting operators will have access to a range of odds providers for optimal margins and uptime. We are expanding on this marketplace even further by onboarding new partners to our network.

In another case, we are partnering with tournament organizers, helping them monetize their official data, and connecting them to our wide distribution network.

With our products and services powered by highly granular data, we are the central hub to many aspects of the industry. Bayes Esports has always been at the forefront of innovation within esports and we continue to push boundaries to what is possible.

With the continuous growth of esports, how do you see data playing a role in the evolution of the industry and the fan experience?

The esports demographic is tech-savvy and is looking for data-driven experiences. Think of all the data we follow in F1 racing, from tyre stats, fastest lap, and even unique camera angles. This creates a user experience that is more immersive and engaging. Data can play a similar role in esports due to the hundreds of data points available each second. However, unlike traditional sports, esports data cannot be followed by simply watching. By using the right tools, like Bayes Esports’ advanced machine learning models, the complex data can be collected and used in the most efficient way.

With detailed, real-time data, operators and sportsbooks can offer diverse in-play betting markets that keeps players engaged longer. Markets can be more creative and mirror the visual intensity of the games themselves. As the industry evolves, and more companies put a focus on the opportunities data can offer, we can elevate the fan experience even further.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in professionalizing the esports industry, and how have you addressed them?

The esports industry lacks standardization, especially compared to traditional sports. There is no central governing organization like FIFA is to football, but instead a variety of independent tournament organizers creating their own rules. With a fragmented landscape, changes can occur at the last minute. This makes it challenging for the various industries that follow esports, like betting, media, and fantasy platforms, as well as the esports teams and wider community.

There is also an interesting conversation around the monetization of esports. More and more tournament organizers have the goal of building premium international content, all competing for the same sponsorships and partners. I believe there needs to be more of a push to develop regional and national tournaments which will in turn expand monetization opportunities. But, we must allow that space to expand. Besides, no one would be interested in watching the Bundesliga, if Germany was playing in the World Cup at the same time.

From the Bayes Esport perspective, we work to professionalize the industry by helping our partners and customers engage with the esports community with our data-driven services. Our innovations build a more engaging and immersive experience, helping attract more casual gamers to the esports space. By monetizing the official data from the IP rights holders, we are also funneling additional revenue back into the ecosystem. These things help grow and develop the industry. The challenges beyond these are down to the other key players working together.

How do you envision the future of esports data and analytics, and what role will Bayes Esports play in shaping that future?

Bayes Esports is at the center of the esports data ecosystem. As a central hub, we are connected to many of the key players instrumental in the development of this industry. We have acquired the official live data, built an unmatched product and tech stack, and grown a distribution network that allows us to reach customers at scale. Together with our strong network of partners, we have built a solution that serves a customer at any stage of their esports journey.

Data plays an integral role within the esports experience and the right data strategy can unlock unlimited opportunities. By teaming up with the right data providers, the fan and bettor experience is only going to get better and better.