# Youth-Benefiting Esports Platforms Valhallan Acquires Youth Esports Platform NXT UP Esports By Kanesa D | Published 2022-10-28 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nxt-up-esports References: [esportsinsider](https://esportsinsider.com/2022/10/valhallan-acquires-youth-esports-platform-nxt-up-esports) & [valhallan](https://valhallan.com/)  North American esports organization Valhallan has recently acquired the [youth esports platform](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/british-esports-3) NXT UP Esports, allowing Valhallan to foster an environment for youth to compete in games and develop “valuable life skills.” NXT UP’s platform has always placed a special emphasis on developing young players' transferable talents. Additionally, the business established the NXT UP Scholarship program to aid young players in further developing their academic and professional careers in esports and gaming. As a result of the acquisition, Valhallan can now host [virtual programs for students](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/psel) and youth who are not located near its physical locations, allowing them to enroll in courses and further their skills. Matt Phillips, brand president at Valhallan, commented on the acquisition: “NXT UP Esports is the perfect addition to add virtual programs in areas where we don’t have Valhallan arenas – youth players and teams everywhere will be able to join, train and compete with us.” Image Credit: Valhallan ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.2/10 - Popularity: 3% | Activity: 20% | Freshness: 13% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Education](https://www.trendhunter.com/education) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Youth Esports Education:** Esports organizations can adopt the NXT UP model and create education programs that prioritize the development of transferable skills for young players. - **Virtual Esports Programs:** Esports organizations can expand their reach by offering virtual programs that allow young players to enroll in courses and competitions remotely. - **Esports Scholarships:** Esports organizations can establish scholarship programs that aid young players in further developing their academic and professional careers in esports and gaming. ### Who This Affects Most - **Esports:** Esports organizations can adopt the NXT UP model and expand their initiatives and offerings to cater to young players. - **Education:** Educators can investigate the potential for esports to teach transferable skills to young populations. - **Scholarships:** Scholarship organizations can explore the potential of esports scholarships to support young players in further developing their academic and professional careers in esports and gaming. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Collegiate Esports Brand Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playvs-acquisitions.md) - [Youth Esports Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/navi-visa-academy.md) - [Amateur Esports Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parabellum-esports.md) - [Student-Focused Esports Leagues](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minnesota-varsity-league.md) - [Marketing-Focused Esports Deals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/og-esports.md) - [Expansive Esports Training Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/team-singularity-academy.md) - [Esports Tournament Acquisitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meta-high-school-esports.md) - [Educational Esports Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/belong-gaming-arenas-1.md) - [International Esports Acquisitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyperlive-entertainment.md)