BroadcastHER academy funded by Samsung-associates

The 1000 dreams Fund, or 1DF, is a non-profit that provides small grants specifically to support the dreams of talented young girls and women. This week, this fund added to the existing BroadcastHER Academy program. Powered by HARMAN, a Samsung Electronics subsidiary, the 1DF kicks off the BroadcastHER program. This is only the inaugural season – there are already plans to make this a more permanent fixture.

As for what the program actually is – over the next four weeks, 1DF is offering a chance to young women that are pursuing careers in esports and gaming to apply for a $1000 micro-grant towards their gaming-related career goals as well as an all expense paid trip to Allied Esports global flagship venue – HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas.

There, the selected girls will get to work side by side with the production and executive teams there in order to successfully pull off an event. A total of nine talented young women will be selected based on the quality of their entry, which must focus on gaming and demonstrate a need for the grant.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this incredible initiative and welcome the opportunity to provide inspiration and guidance to ambitious female gamers. 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.” said Simon Temperley, CMO of Allied Esports.

1DF Founder and CEO Christie Garton said: “Our BroadcastHER Academy Challenge is certain to change lives thanks to this incredible prize package from our amazing group of strategic partners. 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.”

At the moment, esports still carries a lot of gender bias, so seeing opportunities for young women to establish themselves in the field is a welcome disruption of the male-dominated field. This is far from the only grant of its type, but it’s a considerably high-profile one – HARMAN and 1DF have, so far, granted over $16.000 to inspiring young women in tech.

Specifically for the field of esports and gaming, the BroadcastHER Academy is a new step though, and it’s one in the right direction. Applying is quite simple too – applicants enter via a photo challenge that will showcase their unique talents, commitment and determination to work in the field of video games. You have to be based in the US and you must be aged 18 or above to qualify – the winners are going to be announced at a live event on March 15th at HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas – the very one where the nine lucky winners are going to be working for an event later!