WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today the 1,000 Dreams Fund (1DF), a national non-profit that provides micro-grants that support the dreams of talented young women, is excited to announce an expansion of its BroadcastHER Academy – Powered by HARMAN program, which was announced at the E3 Expo in June 2018. In partnership with HARMAN—a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics— premier esports entertainment company Allied Esports, and HyperX, 1DF kicks off its inaugural BroadcastHER Academy Challenge (#BroadcastHERAcademy) today.
Esports, a booming and lucrative industry, is expected to exceed $1.65 billion in global revenue by 2021, according to Newzoo—and Statista reports that about 44% of gamers are women. While women are rising in influence, the challenges they face in what is still considered to be a “male-dominated” world include a substantial pay gap.
Over the next four weeks, 1DF invites young women pursuing careers in esports and gaming—whether in front-of or behind the camera—to enter for a chance to win the ultimate prize: a $1,000 microgrant to use toward their gaming goals, and an all-expense paid trip to Allied Esports’ global flagship venue, HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas, where they will work side-by-side with the production and executive teams to execute an event. A total of nine challenge winners will be announced by 1DF based on the quality of their entry, which focuses on their goals in gaming and demonstrated need.
“We are thrilled to be a part of this incredible initiative and welcome the opportunity to provide inspiration and guidance to ambitious female gamers,” said Simon Temperley, Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer of Allied Esports. “We are proud to work together with our partners HARMAN and HyperX to support 1DF and a movement that we not only deeply believe in, but feel is vital to the growth and success of the industry.”
“The world of esports is capturing the zeitgeist of our time, through the advanced use of technology, and socially, through the many industry advocates that create new pathways for success, independent of gender,” said Dinesh Paliwal, HARMAN President and CEO. “Supporting diversity is a value we share with 1DF, Allied Esports and HyperX, and the microgrant program will continue to empower a bold generation of female leaders in the gaming industry.”
“Our BroadcastHER Academy Challenge is certain to change lives thanks to this incredible prize package from our amazing group of strategic partners,” says 1,000 Dreams Fund Founder and CEO Christie Garton. “In addition to the microgrant from HARMAN, a behind-the-scenes experience with the Allied team at the HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas will open their eyes to new and creative ways to turn their talents into full-time careers.”
HARMAN and 1DF are long-time partners in the quest to support the advancement of young women in the arts and sciences: Through their New Face of Tech Scholarship Program over $16,000 has been granted to inspiring young women in tech.
“We’re blown away daily by the emerging talent in the esports industry and excited to be part of this partnership supporting future female champions—both players, and working behind the scenes,” says Wendy Lecot, head of HyperX strategic alliances. “Aspiring women in this industry today will have the opportunity to share their experiences with future broadcasters and we are proud to be a part of this initiative.”
About the 2019 BroadcastHER Academy Challenge
- How it works: Applicants will enter via a photo challenge that showcases the applicants’ breadth and depth of talent, commitment, and interest in gaming/broadcasting as a career
- How to apply: The Challenge will be accessible on the 1DF microsite – https://1000dreamsfund.org/broadcasther-academy-challenge/ – and dedicated 1DF Facebook tab
- Who can apply: College-aged women 18 years of age and older, who are based in the U.S.
- Key dates: Challenge launches on February 12, 2019, and winners will be selected the weeks of 2/18, 2/25, and 3/4. The three final winners will be announced at a live event on March 15 at HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas.
About the 1,000 Dreams Fund
The 1,000 Dreams Fund (1DF) is a national scholarship fund for American girls in high school and college. 1DF believes that big expenses should never stand in the way of big dreams. Since its launch in November 2015, over $100,000 in funding has been granted to talented young women in need, helping them pay for the "extras" in school like study abroad, tech devices for the classroom and travel to conferences and seminars. 1DF has been featured on Cheddar TV, NBCNews.com, USA Today, MarketWatch, Forbes, Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, Entrepreneur, TODAY and others. To learn more about 1DF, visit http://1000dreamsfund.org/
About HARMAN
HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
About Allied Esports
Allied Esports is a premier esports entertainment company with a global network of dedicated esports properties and content production facilities. Its mission is to connect players, streamers and fans via integrated arenas and mobile esports trucks around the world that serve as both gaming battlegrounds and every day content generation hubs. Allied Esports is a subsidiary of Ourgame International (SEHK:899), owner of WPT Enterprises, Inc., the operator of The World Poker Tour®. Ourgame has entered into an agreement with Black Ridge Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: BRAC) to combine, once all applicable shareholder and regulatory consents have been obtained, Allied Esports and the World Poker Tour to form Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. Through direct operation and affiliate relationships via the Allied Esports Property Network, the first esports venue affiliate program available to partners looking to open new esports facilities around the world, Allied Esports locations currently include 11 properties in the top three esports markets across the globe: North America’s HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas, HyperX Esports Truck, Esports Arena Orange County and Esports Arena Oakland; Europe’s Esports Truck “Big Betty” and Studio in Hamburg, Germany; and China’s Lianmeng Dianjing in Beijing, Lianmeng Dianjing SEG Arena in Shenzhen, Lianmeng Dianjing Tianjin Arena, Lianmeng Dianjing Gui’an Arena and Lianmeng Dianjing LGD Gaming Hangzhou Arena. The Allied Esports Property Network’s 12th property, run by Fortress Esports, is expected to open in Melbourne, Australia in 2019. For more information about Allied Esports and its global network of properties, visit AlliedEsports.gg and follow @AlliedEsports.
About HyperX
HyperX is the gaming division of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the world’s largest independent memory manufacturer, with the goal of providing gamers, PC builders, PC, console and mobile power users with high-performance components. For 16 years, the HyperX mission has been to develop gaming products for all types of gamers – high-speed memory, solid state drives, headsets, keyboards, mice, charging accessories for console players, USB flash drives, and mouse pads – to the gaming community and beyond. The award-winning HyperX brand in known for consistently delivering products that deliver superior comfort, aesthetics, performance, and reliability. HyperX gear is the choice of celebrity ambassadors, pro gamers, tech enthusiasts, and overclockers worldwide because it meets the most stringent product specifications and is built with best-in-class components. HyperX has shipped over 60 million memory modules and seven million gaming headsets worldwide. Join the global #HyperXFamily at facebook.com/hyperxcommunity, learn how HyperX products can enhance your console experience and boost performance for both you and your PC, console or mobile device at hyperxgaming.com. Whatever your skill level, whatever genres you play, we embrace all gaming enthusiasts everywhere with our core belief — We’re All Gamers.
