Women-led Queens Gaming Collective launches following $1.5m seed round
Following a $1.5m (£1.13m) seed round led by esports venture capital fund BITKRAFT Ventures, female-led gaming lifestyle company Queens Gaming Collective (QGC) has officially announced its launch.
Poised to help “level the playing field” in a male-dominated industry, the organisation will provide female competitors, content creators, and streamers with the tools they need to build sustainable careers in gaming and esports.
Other strategic investors included the likes of Assia Grazioli-Venier and Rachel Springate (founding partners of seed-stage fund, Muse Capital), Rosie O’Neill (Sugarfina co-founder), Amy Finnerty (former MTV, Sony Music, and Maker Studios executive), Dre Hayes (President of Kappa USA, Co-Founder of The Foundation), and among other women business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Additionally, the firm’s strategic advisers include women leaders from the likes of Amazon, TikTok, Twitch and more. According to the release, this group will be looking to provide its expertise in order to help establish opportunities within the industry for women.
NBA All-Star Baron Davis has been revealed as an ambassador for Queens as has Karen Civil. They are the first to join what has been called the ‘Queens Court’, an ambassador network ‘committed to introducing the collective to broader audiences across their areas of expertise’. Other individuals involved include O’Neill, Finnerty, and Hayes.
Alisa Jacobs, co-Founder and CEO of Queens Gaming Collective, spoke on the launch: “Queens is changing the game. Gaming is a lifestyle, and Queens is a global movement built for and led by diverse women dedicated to radical representation, economic inclusion, and collaboration over competition. Beyond a lifestyle brand, we’re building a community that celebrates the successes and advancement of our creators.”
Partner and Head of Talent Taylor Heitzig-Rhodes has also joined Queens from talent agency Evolved. As an agent, Heitzig-Rhodes worked closely with teams, players, influencers, and brands including Chica, Alexandra Botez, and Athena. Now she’s identifying, signing, and managing rising talent for the Queens.
At launch, a total of 18 content creators, players, and streamers were hand-picked to represent the organisation. The list includes 2017 WNBA champion Alexis Jones, gamer and recording artist bunnymightgameeu, cosplayer and content creator Kiera Please, and DJs Coco and Breezy, influencer Ava.gg, and singer Cray among others.
It has also been confirmed that gaming peripherals manufacturer Razer will be the official peripheral and equipment partner of Queens.
