Nerd Street Gamers Named to Fast Company’s Annual List of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2020

Nerd Street Gamers honored as one of the world’s 10 Most Innovative Companies in gaming on Fast Company’s global list

MARCH 10, 2020 – Nerd Street Gamers, the national esports infrastructure company dedicated to powering competitive opportunities for gamers, has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2020.

The list honors the businesses making the most profound impact on both industry and culture, showcasing a variety of ways to thrive in today’s fast-changing world. This year’s MIC list features 434 businesses from 39 countries. Nerd Street Gamers is listed among other industry leaders such as Microsoft, Apple, 100 Thieves, and Epic Games.

“Being recognized as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in gaming is truly humbling because we know the amazing work other companies in the space are doing,” said John Fazio, Founder and CEO. “This award is a validation of our commitment to the development of public esports infrastructure that empowers inclusive, social, and ultimately positive gaming communities.”

The award is the latest milestone for the fast-growing Philadelphia esports infrastructure company, which made tremendous strides in 2019. Highlights of the year include a Series A fundraising round that included plans with retailer Five Below to build as many as 70 of its esports hubs, dubbed Localhost, attached to Five Below stores.

The company also partnered with multiple universities to create competitive and academic esports programs, produced professional and amateur esports events for tens of thousands of fans, built the world’s first public esports facility inside a major sports stadium, and hosted its annual summer camps for kids to promote healthy gaming habits.

Fast Company’s editors and writers sought out the most groundbreaking businesses on the planet and across myriad industries. They also judged nominations received through their application process.

The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s signature franchise and one of its most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. It provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy.

“At a time of increasing global volatility, this year’s list showcases the resilience and optimism of businesses across the world. These companies are applying creativity to solve challenges within their industries and far beyond,” said Fast Company senior editor Amy Farley, who oversaw the issue with deputy editor David Lidsky.

Fast Company’sMost Innovative Companies issue (March/April 2020) is now available online at fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/2020, as well as in app form via iTunes and on newsstands beginning March 17, 2020. The hashtag is #FCMostInnovative.

About Nerd Street Gamers

Nerd Street Gamers (NSG), formerly known as N3rd Street Gamers, is a national network of esports facilities and events dedicated to powering competitive opportunities for gamers. The company promotes greater access to the esports industry, laying a national framework for esports talent development and high-quality gaming tournaments. NSG has received backing from Five Below, Comcast, SeventySix Capital, Elevate Ventures, and angel investor George Miller. For more information, follow @nerdstgamers on Twitter or visit nerdstgamers.com

About Fast Company

Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Since 2011, Fast Company has received some of the most prestigious editorial and design accolades, including the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) National Magazine Award for “Magazine of the Year,” Adweek’s Hot List for “Hottest Business Publication,” and six gold medals and 10 silver medals from the Society of Publication Designers. The editor-in-chief is Stephanie Mehta and the publisher is Amanda Smith. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com.