upside

Interview starts: 7:22
Debrief starts: 45:18

Matthew Benson is the founder and CEO of eFuse, a new platform used to connect anyone in or interested in the gaming world to other opportunities, talent, and people in the Esports community. Sort of like a LinkedIn for gamers, eFuse allows members to compile their stats into one portfolio and create connections as they search for professional and collegiate gaming possibilities.

Prior to founding eFuse, Matthew worked for the Ohio Innovation Fund shortly after college. He had the idea for eFuse while in school and is now celebrating the company's two-month beta launch.

We discuss:
- AD: Finding experienced employees for your new business with Integrity Power Search (5:54)
- Matt's background (7:22,11:23)
- Cluster class at OU and idea for eFuse (9:28, 14:52)
- Problems eFuse is solving (18:57)
- Talent scouts for eFuse (21:31)
- Professional vs. collegiate opportunities (23:13)
- Aging gaming demographics (26:20)
- Beta launch (27:46)
- Building relationships (29:25)
- Potential users (31:20)
- Measuring the marketplace and game distribution (36:00)
- Interactions with Twitch, Mixer, and YouTube (40:47)
- Will opportunities in gaming always exist? (42:58)

Learn more about eFuse: https://efuse.gg/
Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm
Advertise with an upside classified: https://upside.fm/classifieds
--

This episode is sponsored by Integrity Power Search, the #1 full stack high growth startup recruiting firm between the coasts. They partner with venture capitalists, private equity groups and CEOs to build amazing teams for the world’s most disrupting companies.

Learn more about or get in touch with Integrity Power Search: https://upside.fm/integrity

Show Notes

Interview starts: 7:22
Debrief starts: 45:18

Matthew Benson is the founder and CEO of eFuse, a new platform used to connect anyone in or interested in the gaming world to other opportunities, talent, and people in the Esports community. Sort of like a LinkedIn for gamers, eFuse allows members to compile their stats into one portfolio and create connections as they search for professional and collegiate gaming possibilities.

Prior to founding eFuse, Matthew worked for the Ohio Innovation Fund shortly after college. He had the idea for eFuse while in school and is now celebrating the company's two-month beta launch.

We discuss:
  • AD: Finding experienced employees for your new business with Integrity Power Search (5:54)
  • Matt's background (7:22,11:23)
  • Cluster class at OU and idea for eFuse (9:28, 14:52)
  • Problems eFuse is solving (18:57)
  • Talent scouts for eFuse (21:31)
  • Professional vs. collegiate opportunities (23:13)
  • Aging gaming demographics (26:20)
  • Beta launch (27:46)
  • Building relationships (29:25)
  • Potential users (31:20)
  • Measuring the marketplace and game distribution (36:00)
  • Interactions with Twitch, Mixer, and YouTube (40:47)
  • Will opportunities in gaming always exist? (42:58)
Learn more about eFuse: https://efuse.gg/
Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm
Advertise with an upside classified: https://upside.fm/classifieds
--

This episode is sponsored by Integrity Power Search, the #1 full stack high growth startup recruiting firm between the coasts. They partner with venture capitalists, private equity groups and CEOs to build amazing teams for the world’s most disrupting companies.

Learn more about or get in touch with Integrity Power Search: https://upside.fm/integrity

What is upside?

Named a top 27 business podcast by Fortune, upside examines startup investing outside of Silicon Valley.

Every Wednesday, we speak with an early stage founder. We interview them as if we are angel investors considering the company as an investment opportunity.

Each show has three segments:

1.) Intro: independent research of the company
2.) Interview: interview with the founder
3.) Debrief: breaking down the opportunity

Sometimes, we share Coffee Chats interviewing venture capitalists, community builders, and later-stage founders.

Subscribe and see why Business Insider called our podcast "Almost as Good as Getting an MBA."