<p>Patrick Gobonya is one of the co-founders of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://ovation-esports.com/">Ovation eSports</a>. Ovation was founded in Zurich / Switzerland in February 2020, and is the first sustainable eSports organization. Ovation is "a lit, young &amp; dynamic pioneer which combines professionalism and fun in one team. A network platform of champs and eSports enthusiasts."</p><p>Ovation accompanies and develops athletes on their journey to become leading eSports players. The company is committed to provide their athletes with support to protect their mental and physical well-being and offers an environment to master a successful future following a career in eSports. Ovation eSports AG is a Swiss team consisting of players from the DACH region and with partnerships all over Europe. Ovation is one of the fastest growing and up-and-coming esports teams in Europe and currently competes in the games of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/home">Fortnite</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://playvalorant.com/de-de/">Valorant</a>.</p><p>In March 2021, Ovation announced that it has raised a seed round investment from billionaire twin brothers <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.startupticker.ch/en/news/march-2021/swiss-esports-start-up-attracts-louis-dreyfus-twins-as-investors">Maurice and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus</a>.</p><p><strong>We discuss:</strong></p><ul><li>The origin story of Ovation</li><li>Tips for starting an eSports team &amp; scouting talent</li><li>Sustainability in eSports and gaming as a career track</li><li>Fundraising advice</li></ul><p><strong>Show notes:</strong></p><ul><li>02:23 -- Intro of Patrick Gobonya</li><li>03:12 -- What is eSports and why is it relevant</li><li>05:54 -- Ovation’s fundraise from Maurice und Kyril Louis-Dreyfus</li><li>06:56 -- How the investment from the Dreyfus twins in Ovation came to be</li><li>11:06 -- How Patrick for the first time got the idea to start his own company and the origin story of Ovation</li><li>15:52 -- How Ovation came up with the name for its team</li><li>17:16 -- How to start an eSports team, recruiting players, getting into the community</li><li>19:50 -- How to scout talent in eSports</li><li>22:18 -- Progress of ovation in 2020</li><li>24:55 -- Stats and further info about Ovation</li><li>28:15 -- Revenue streams of Ovation and eSports teams - how the sponsorship model works</li><li>31:48 -- What sustainability means in the context of eSports</li><li>34:01 -- Patrick’s learnings from building an eSports brand</li><li>35:22 -- Trends in the eSports space</li><li>36:58 -- Patrick’s favorite game</li><li>37:42 -- Patrick Gobonya’s advice to younger self</li><li>38:22 -- Open browser tabs</li><li>39:20 -- What courage means to Patrick</li></ul><p>Please follow me on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/leaptakerspodcast/">Instagram</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/TheRemoKyburz">Twitter</a>, and my <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.leaptakers.com/">Website</a>, where I post new episodes and share resources &amp; tips for anyone interested in entrepreneurship in Europe. </p><p>If you're enjoying the podcast, the best way to support the show is by leaving a review on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ch/podcast/the-leap-takers-podcast/id1468975811?l=en">Apple Podcast</a> or in your favorite podcast app.</p>