Enthusiast Gaming

Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc. operates as a digital media company focused on the video game and esports industries. The company was founded in 2014 by Menashe Kestenbaum, an avid gamer who translated his passion into a business. Kestenbaum's journey began in 2011 with a blog called "Nintendo Enthusiast," which he started while studying to become a Rabbi. This blog's success in building a community laid the groundwork for the broader vision of Enthusiast Gaming. The company was incorporated in Toronto in 2014.

The firm's business model is structured around three core pillars: Media, Entertainment, and Esports. It generates revenue through a combination of advertising, subscriptions, and sponsorships. The company's primary focus is on uniting niche gaming communities by acquiring and aggregating various gaming websites and online forums. This strategy creates a large, monetizable network that connects advertisers with a coveted Gen Z and Millennial audience. Over the years, Enthusiast Gaming has acquired numerous digital properties, including The Sims Resource, Icy Veins, and Addicting Games, to expand its reach. In recent years, the company has strategically shifted its focus towards higher-margin revenue streams and away from lower-margin video platform revenue to improve profitability.

The company's media platform is extensive, comprising a network of over 100 gaming-related websites and more than 1,000 YouTube channels. This integrated ecosystem provides gamers with news, reviews, and community forums, catering to specific interests ranging from Nintendo fans to Pokémon players. Beyond digital media, the company has a significant presence in the competitive gaming scene through its esports division, Luminosity Gaming. This division manages professional esports teams across various popular games like Apex Legends and League of Legends. Additionally, Enthusiast Gaming's entertainment arm, EG Live, has operated events such as EGLX, billed as Canada's largest video game convention, and Pocket Gamer Connects, a mobile gaming event series in Europe.

A significant milestone was the company going public on the TSX Venture Exchange in October 2018, later moving to the Toronto Stock Exchange in January 2020 and also trading on the Nasdaq for a period. Adrian Montgomery, who previously served as President and CEO of Aquilini Sports and Entertainment, has been a key figure, leading the company as CEO and currently serving as interim CEO and Chairman of the Board. Founder Menashe Kestenbaum is no longer with the company.

Keywords: digital media, video game journalism, esports, gaming communities, online media, Luminosity Gaming, content platform, Gen Z marketing, Millennial audience, ad-supported media, gaming websites, esports teams, fan engagement, digital advertising, content creation, brand partnerships, mobile gaming events, The Sims Resource, Icy Veins, Addicting Games, video game content, influencer marketing, online entertainment, EGLX, Pocket Gamer Connects