Gaming Beyond Play – China’s Young Esports Entrepreneurs

Profile: Liu Chen (24) – Co-founder of an esports startup merging gaming with education

By: James O’Connor | Esports & Tech Contributor

China’s Esports Generation

At just 24, Liu Chen is part of a wave of young entrepreneurs turning China’s gaming obsession into a structured industry with real social impact. Based in Shanghai, Liu co-founded an esports startup that integrates gaming with education and career development — showing that gaming is not merely play, but also a pathway to skills and opportunity.

China is the largest esports market in the world, with games like Honor of Kings (王者荣耀) and League of Legends filling stadiums. The government’s recognition of esports as an official profession in 2019 gave legitimacy to an industry already embraced by millions of young Chinese.

Blending Education and Gaming

Liu’s startup has developed training programs where esports players learn teamwork, communication, and problem-solving through competitive gaming. Students analyze gameplay using AI tools, develop digital literacy skills, and even explore careers in event management, game design, and streaming.

This model fits into China’s emphasis on skill-building for the digital economy, offering parents and educators a more positive view of gaming.

Platforms and Culture

What makes Liu’s vision effective is his ability to leverage China’s digital ecosystems. His company uses Douyin livestreams to showcase training matches, Bilibili videos for tutorials and analysis, and WeChat mini-programs for course signups.

By rooting esports in platforms already familiar to China’s Gen Z, Liu ensures his model feels natural, not forced. It also highlights how esports culture is deeply tied to China’s online community spirit.

Government Support and Opportunity

China’s Ministry of Education has begun supporting esports programs in universities, reflecting a shift in attitude: gaming is no longer dismissed as idle entertainment but embraced as a strategic cultural industry. Liu has already collaborated with local universities to pilot esports academies, aligning his startup with government-backed initiatives.

This creates a sustainable model: young people pursue their passion while also gaining pathways into China’s growing digital industries.

Outlook

For Liu Chen, esports is more than tournaments and prize money. It is about reshaping how society sees play, learning, and work. His startup shows how China’s youth entrepreneurs are rewriting the rules of both education and entertainment, creating a uniquely Chinese model of esports that blends culture, policy, and innovation.