Jens Hilgers is a German serial entrepreneur, known for his work in the esports industry. He was the founding CEO of the Electronic Sports League —one of the oldest and largest esports organizations— and is a co-founder and the CEO of Dojo Madness, an esports data company based in Berlin. In 2014, he co-founded G2 Esports together with Carlos "ocelote" Rodriguez, and currently serves as its chairman. In the same year, he launched BITKRAFT Esports Ventures, the first venture capital fund dedicated to esports. He is credited by some as an early pioneer of the esports industry.
Background
Hilgers completed his studies in software development in 1998. Then he founded and managed multiple startups in the tech and games/esports business. Hilgers receiving first Amiga 500 computer in 1988 was a defining moment in his life around computers, online games and hacking that turned into a professional career. Hilgers thinks that his childhood obsession with Lego games has something to do with his love for building products.
Career
Hilgers began his esports career in 1997. While in college, he built Gamers.de, a news portal for online PC games; launched the first German Clan League and created Gamers Gathering, a European Lan-Party. Then in 2000, Hilgers founded Turtle Entertainment GmbH based in Cologne, Germany. Turtle Entertainment is the parent company of ESL, and Hilgers served as its CEO until 2010, when he transitioned to Chairman of the Board. The company operates online platforms and TV studios broadcasting tournaments in the gaming industry. During his ten-year tenure as CEO, Hilgers grew the company into a notable brand and made significant contributions to the esports industry. Modern Times Group bought a majority stake of $86 million in ESL when Hilgers was its Chairman in 2015. He also served as CEO at GIGA Digital Television GmbH and co-owns G2 Esports, a team based in Madrid, Spain. Hilgers founded in 2014, Dojo Madness, an esports startup based in Berlin, Germany. The company harnesses the power of big data to build tools and services that help players master esports games. In 2017, under the leadership of Raine Ventures and participation from Kakao's K Cube Ventures and investors, Dojo's raised a total of $12.75 million in another round of funding. In 2016, Hilgers launched BITKRAFT Esports Ventures, a venture capital fund that raised $18.5 million, including $11.5 million from its founders. Now, he serves as the VC founding partner.
