Matthieu Dallon Interview
Matthieu Dallon has been a driving force in esports for over two decades, from pioneering the Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC) in 2003 to co-founding Toornament and serving as the first president of France Esports. Today, as Founding Partner and CEO of Trust Esport Capital, he leads one of the first venture funds dedicated to esports and gaming innovation. With investments in companies like EVA, Anybrain, Prodigy, and Supercosi, Dallon continues to shape the industry’s future by supporting technologies, platforms, and services that strengthen the global esports ecosystem. His journey reflects a balance of entrepreneurship, governance, and strategic vision, making him one of the most influential voices in competitive gaming and digital entertainment.
A Journey through Esports Evolution
We started the interview by asking, “From ESWC to the VC fund Trust Esport – how would you describe your journey in esports?”
Matthieu Dallon replied, “My career has been a continuous evolution alongside the growth of esports itself. In the early 2000s, I created the Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC), which became the first truly global esports competition designed as a show. I am very proud that this brand still lives on today through the Esports World Cup (EWC) organized every summer in Riyadh. Over the years, I also co-founded Toornament to empower tournament organizers with better tools and later played a key role in institutionalizing esports in France through France Esports. These experiences gave me a 360° view of the industry from grassroots competition to governance and innovation. Transitioning into venture capital with Trust Esport felt like a natural step. It allows me to support entrepreneurs building the next wave of technologies, platforms, and services that will define the future of esports and gaming. My journey has always been about connecting vision, infrastructure, and community to ensure esports grows sustainably worldwide.”
The Birth of Trust Esport Capital
The Worlds Times: What motivated you to launch the VC fund Trust Esport in 2019?
Matthieu Dallon replied, “The motivation came from recognizing that esports was entering a new stage of maturity. By 2019, the industry had demonstrated global reach and cultural impact, but many startups lacked the capital and strategic guidance to scale effectively. With Trust Esport, I wanted to create a specialized venture fund dedicated entirely to esports and gaming innovation. The goal was not just to inject money, but to leverage two decades of experience and a strong network of industry leaders to help founders succeed. We focus on tools, platforms, services, and technologies that strengthen the ecosystem—whether it’s tournament management software, anti-cheat solutions, player agencies, or new forms of gaming entertainment. In essence, Trust Esport was born to bridge the gap between visionary entrepreneurs and the resources they need to thrive in a highly competitive market.”
Challenges Facing Esports Today
The Worlds Times: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the esports industry today?
Matthieu Dallon replied, “Esports is growing fast for years, and faster since the recent investments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but this rapid expansion brings its own set of challenges. One of the main hurdles is building sustainable business models. Many organizations rely heavily on sponsorships and influencing celebrities, but the industry needs to diversify revenue streams through digital products and services, and probably at some point media rights.. Another challenge is maintaining competitive integrity, player well-being, and shared governance at a global level. Esports is highly fragmented, with different publishers controlling their titles, which complicates regulation and innovation. Lastly, while esports has enormous audiences, monetization per fan is still relatively low compared to other forms of entertainment. Overcoming these challenges will require collaboration between investors, publishers, teams, and promoters to build a more stable ecosystem for the long term.”
What Trust Esport Looks for in Startups
The Worlds Times: Trust Esport invests in companies like EVA, Prodigy, Anybrain, and Toornament. What do you look for in startups before investing?
Matthieu Dallon replied, “When evaluating startups, we focus on three key pillars: vision, execution, and ecosystem value. First, the founders must have a clear vision of how their product or service solves a critical problem in esports or gaming. Second, execution is everything having the right team, product-market fit, and adaptability is crucial. Finally, we ask whether this company will contribute positively to the wider ecosystem. For example, Anybrain is tackling issues around online gaming cheating, Prodigy supports professional players with top-tier representation, and EVA is creating a new sport in immersive esports arenas, Toornament provides white-label gaming platforms for publishers. These companies not only innovate but also strengthen the industry’s infrastructure. In short, we invest in entrepreneurs who combine creativity with resilience and who understand the unique dynamics of the esports world.”
Shaping France Esports and Its Legacy
The Worlds Times: Looking back, how significant was your role in creating France Esports?
Matthieu Dallon replied, “France Esports was a milestone, both personally and for the industry. As its founding president, I worked with government officials, publishers, and organizations to gain legal recognition for esports in France. This included defining the professional status of players and setting up frameworks for tournaments. We established a democratic structure representing players, promoters, and IP owners, which helped legitimize esports as a cultural and economic sector. Within 15 months, we grew the association to over 2,500 players and 50 organizations, laying a foundation for future growth. This experience reinforced my belief that esports needs strong institutions and collective governance to thrive. It was about more than just building competitions it was about creating the legal and cultural recognition esports deserves.”
The Future of Esports with AI
The Worlds Times: Esports is now intersecting with Web3, AI, and immersive experiences. Where do you see the future heading?
Matthieu Dallon replied, “The future of esports lies at the intersection of technology and entertainment. AI will enhance training, anti-cheat measures, and fan personalization. Web3 could redefine digital ownership, enabling new forms of fan engagement through NFTs, skins, or community governance. Immersive experiences, like those pioneered by EVA with VR esports arenas, will create entirely new ways for fans to participate rather than just watch. We’re also seeing the lines between gaming and traditional sports blur, with esports influencing training, fitness, and media strategies. Ultimately, esports is becoming a mainstream cultural phenomenon, not just a niche. The next decade will be about building infrastructures that can scale globally, monetize sustainably, and offer fans richer, more interactive experiences.”
Advice for Aspiring Esports Entrepreneurs
Lastly we asked, “What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs looking to enter the esports and gaming industry?”
“My first piece of advice is to deeply understand the ecosystem esports is not just about games, it’s about communities, technology, and entertainment. Spend time learning how publishers, teams, fans, and platforms interact. Second, focus on solving a real problem. The industry is full of enthusiasm, but not every idea addresses a tangible need. Third, resilience is key. The esports industry is very competitive and sometimes unpredictable, so adaptability matters as much as innovation. Finally, surround yourself with the right people mentors, investors, and partners who share your vision but also challenge you to think bigger. Esports is still young, which means there are incredible opportunities for those who can combine passion with strategic execution.” Matthieu Dallon concluded
Connect with Matthieu Dallon on LinkedIn
For more information visit Trust Esport Capital
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