Marcus "Esports" Howard

Gold Standard Gaming

Need Customers? Want to reach the 18-34 demographic daily? We can help. 

Gold Standard Gaming an Esports consulting agency at the forefront of a new era of esports and gaming. In an industry where authenticity is everything, we help brands turn their audience into a tangible community. 

Our focus is on helping our clients deliver better, more effective advertising and event programming with more engaging content and clear messaging to Millennials and Gen Z.

Cut directly through the noise by allowing your consumers to get hands-on with your brand. Provide your audience with an experience they can’t forget and they’ll do all the talking for you.

Director of Business Development

OVR Technology

OVR is a company that focuses on advancing the human experience through intersection of our most advanced technology and the art and science of olfaction. Creating new technologies to allow people to experience scent in a digital landscape. 

We're attending GDC later this month, to demo the prototype for our technology.  Let me know if you'll be there, and we'll find time for you to demo digital scents. We've launched a new program, to help innovators get early access to our tech! 10 game developers will get free dev kits, plus our team's implementation support. If your team wants to create more immersion in its games, let's chat.

Business Development Strategist

Self Employed

90% of customers polled on LinkedIn are interested in their favorite product/service brands engaging them with video games. Over 90% of employees polled on LinkedIn are interested in their employers engaging them with video games, too. Sign up for my free training, to help your brand learn how to use video games to level up its brand engagement: https://bit.ly/gamedrivenbrandgrowth

Game-Driven, Sustainable Brand Growth Coach

Gamers Home

Gamers Home empowers people to turn their passion for video games into a career. We host career webinars for gamers and streamers, so they can learn from industry experts. We also provide specialized training, so gamers and streamers can get hands-on practice in a variety of domains including voice acting, narrative design, and game marketing. Soon, we're launching a platform for premium freelancing in the gaming industry, so gamers and streamers around the world can use their vetted skills to work with awesome gaming studios. In the meantime, you can visit our Gamers Home Store for gaming-inspired comfort clothing and home decor for gamers and streamers of all ages.

I lead business development for Gamers Home, creating meaningful value for our game studios and other strategic partners. I also host Gamers Home's career insights webinars, helping our featured guests share priceless career advice.

At Gamers Home, we're on a mission to close the PayScale gap. If you work in the gaming industry, and you'd like to help us close the PayScale gap, please take a couple of minutes to share your perspective in our PayScale gap survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QNBGG96

Founder & COO

Emotional Ideas, Inc.

The future of sports, esports, and family entertainment.

Gaming & Esports Advisor

Vessel Creative Solutions

We're redefining education and workforce development with esports. We offer end-to-end services clients needs to create a truly wow factor esports gaming space or large scale arena. We recently completed the world's largest investment in the high school education esports space. Reach out to us if you have any projects or questions that we could help you with.

www.vesselxr.com

Chief Growth Officer

Johnson C. Smith University - JCSU

I'm leveraging my decade of gaming industry experience to teach the virtual course "Esports Business & Trends". I've designed a unique course that challenges students to learn esports through direct experience and professional development, rather than just memorizing specific names/dates/info for tests. My goal is that my students will have the specific tools and knowledge to successfully start their professional careers in esports when they graduate college.

Esports and Gaming Management Adjunct Instructor

UKnightedXP, Inc.

Senior Strategic Advisor

Blockchain Game Alliance

The Blockchain Game Alliance is an organization committed to promoting blockchain within the game industry. Its goal is to spread awareness about blockchain technologies and encourage adoption by highlighting their potential to foster new ways to create, publish, play, and build strong communities around games.

The BGA also provides an open forum for individuals and companies to share knowledge and collaborate, create common standards, establish best practices, and network.

Member

MetArena

Two thirds of Americans play video games, and gamers make up nearly half of the world's population. It's highly likely that you brand has gamers as employees and customers. MetArena provides your brand with the insights and technology to authentically engage your entire community, so you can use video games to achieve your brand's goals. Some great examples include selling products or services, recruiting incoming freshman to your school, or raising funds for your nonprofit.

I have 15 consecutive years of strategic/tactical experience with building startups in various industries, including gaming, news media and restaurants. I specialize in identifying exponential growth opportunities and converging trends in consumer markets. Also, I excel at creating/executing blue ocean business strategies. Growth Hacker. Innovator. Techie. Leader.

Dylan Liu's not wrong; with the state of esports, how do you justify that degree?

I MAKE ESPORTS SUSTAINABLE • Lifelong Gamer • Published Author • Professor • Featured Speaker • Indie Game Advocate • Blockchain Enthusiast • International Startup Advisor • Growth Hacker

Innovation+

At Innovation+, I've spearheaded the creation of a curated global community dedicated to empowering and connecting entrepreneurs and innovators worldwide. Our mission is multifaceted:

Nurturing and enhancing entrepreneurial ecosystems: 
We foster environments where innovation thrives, supporting the growth of startups and the evolution of established organizations.

Strengthening and diversifying the entrepreneurial workforce: 
We believe in the power of diversity and inclusion to drive innovation, ensuring that our community reflects a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives.

Assembling and highlighting innovative leaders: 
We showcase the trailblazers and visionaries who are driving change and shaping the future across various industries.

Cultivating and coordinating collaboration: 
We facilitate meaningful partnerships between large organizations and startups, fostering innovation through collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Connecting and empowering relationships: 
We bring together stakeholders from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors to address society's most pressing challenges, leveraging the collective expertise and resources of our community.

Innovation+ serves as a catalyst for positive change, empowering individuals and organizations to make a lasting impact on the world. Join us as we continue to innovate, collaborate, and drive progress together.

https://innovationplus.us/

Founder and CEO

Tech Council Ventures

As an Advisor at Tech Council Ventures, I work closely with early-stage companies, offering strategic guidance in innovation, growth, and investment. I also help connect new ventures as well as strategic partners and institutional investors with the firm.

My role involves leveraging years of industry expertise to help startups navigate complex challenges and scale effectively in a competitive marketplace.

Through collaboration with founders and investors, I focus on identifying and capitalizing on opportunities within high-growth sectors, particularly in technology, healthtech, and sustainable business models. I support venture-building initiatives, help refine business strategies, and assist in creating pathways for long-term success.

Being part of Tech Council Ventures allows me to contribute to the thriving innovation ecosystem by bridging the gap between visionary ideas and tangible business outcomes.

Key Contributions:

 - Advising on venture capital strategies for startups across various industries.
 - Supporting portfolio companies in their growth and scaling efforts.
 - Cultivating connections between entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders.

Tech Council Ventures continues to back and mentor startups, making significant investments in companies that are driving innovation forward.

https://techcouncilventures.com/

Advisor

Jumpstart NJ Angel Network

In my role as an Advisor at Jumpstart NJ Angel Network, I play a pivotal role in guiding early-stage startups through the critical stages of their development. 

Jumpstart NJ is a dynamic angel group that connects high-potential entrepreneurs with experienced investors to fuel innovation and business growth across diverse sectors.

In this capacity, I provide strategic insights to help startups secure the funding and support they need to grow. My experience in venture capital, innovation ecosystems, and startup advisory allows me to assist founders in refining their business models, building scalable strategies, and positioning their companies for long-term success.

I work closely with a network of entrepreneurs and investors, evaluating opportunities in technology, healthtech, and other high-impact industries, aiming to foster sustainable business growth in the region and beyond.

New Jersey Tech Council

As head of the Tech Council and a key ambassador of innovation in the regional business community, we nearly doubled membership (2019 was best year since 2006) and accelerated revenue growth by adding dozens of new corporate sponsors.  
 
During my tenure, we engaged over 20,000 tech professionals and business leaders at our events, and raised the Council's profile as the community's lead collaborator by building strong relationships with ecosystem influencers, partner organizations, educational and government institutions.
 
With a focus on partnerships, digital/social media and integrated marketing, under my leadership the Council amplified our activities and brand while providing forums for effective networking and resources to help entrepreneurs and executives grow their companies. 

Our programs have driven connections, funding and opportunities in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia for thousands of companies, both local and national. In addition, with the launch of our $55 million Tech Council Ventures Fund, which I helped fund raise for, we are able to fund and support a more robust and diverse entrepreneurial pipeline.

President and CEO

Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship - FDU

From 2003 to 2014 I led the top ranked entrepreneurship center at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Silberman College of Business. I developed, fundraised for and managed many of the Institute’s innovative academic and outreach programs since 1997. I was active in the regional entrepreneurial and business communities and was recognized as the 2008 Small Business Advocate (NYER) and among the state's 'Forty Under 40 Business Achievers' by NJBIZ business journal. I frequently spoke at regional business events and has appeared on MSNBC, ABC, My9, NJN (Voices of Innovation) and News12. 

I was the editor of the book, Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Global Insights from 24 Leaders and co-author of the book, Lessons from the Great Recession. I sit on several boards, including the NJ State Chamber of Commerce, the R & D Council of New Jersey, US Chamber of Commerce's Center for Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneur Hall of Fame - Induction Committee, Innovation New Jersey, National Association of Corporate Directors-NJ, and the advisory board of a private firm. I was also a member of the Council on Competitiveness, the Business Council of the United Nations, National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance, and the Center for Non-Profits. 

I have been a columnist for NJBIZ, have written articles for Entrepreneur magazine and newspapers/news sites, including BusinessInsider.com and the Star-Ledger, NorthJersey.com, and The Providence Journal, University Business and was widely quoted both regionally and nationally (USA Today). I have a background in small business/family business and the real estate and automobile industries, as well as marketing and e-business expertise.

Executive Director

As a seasoned advisor, I specialize in guiding leaders across startups, growth companies, corporates, higher ed institutions, and nonprofits to foster growth and spearhead innovation.

With 25+ years of experience in nurturing entrepreneurial, innovation, and tech communities, I bring a wealth of expertise to the table. Currently, I lead Innovation+, a curated global community of 10,000+ entrepreneurs and innovators. I also serve as a startup advisor for scaling companies and higher educational institutions.

I also lend my expertise to organizations such as Tech Council Ventures Fund and JumpStart Angel Network.

Acknowledged by NJBIZ in 2024 as among 20 top Tech Leaders and in its prestigious Power 100 List and rROI-NJ's Top 100 Influencer for several years, I actively contribute to the business landscape with advisory services and board membership.

My passion for innovation extends to executive education programs focusing on AI, which I develop and oversee. I am also a respected speaker at regional and global conferences such as TEDx, where I share insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, startup ecosystem development, and tech advancements.

For 5+ years, I led the New Jersey Tech Council (TechUnited), transforming it into one of the largest and most respected membership organizations in the US, representing over 1,000 companies and 500,000+ tech workers.

My podcast, "A Few Things Show," offers a platform for insights from entrepreneurial and innovative leaders, accessible on YouTube, iTunes, and Spotify. Want to be a guest? Then get in touch and let's make it happen.

Are you looking for:

✅ Assistance in growing your company or organization?
✅ Leveraged advantages for your startup community through driving innovation?
✅ Board members or guidance on board formation/strengthening?
✅ Expansion of domestic or global company networks?
✅ A keynote speaker for conferences, corporate events, or podcasts?
✅ A part in the Innovation+ community, a carefully curated network of entrepreneurial leaders?

Then connect with me today! Explore collaboration opportunities or join our vibrant community at Innovation+ right here:

https://innovationplus.us/

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The Battle

Marcus "Esports" Howard

James Barrood

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taplio

The Battle

Marcus "Esports" Howard

James Barrood

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Marcus "Esports" Howard's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreMarcus "Esports" Howard's LinkedIn Performance