Enable Gaming CIC aims to make the world of online gaming open to all

A social enterprise which aims to make the world of online gaming more accessible has been awarded funding.

Enable Gaming CIC, a social enterprise that is making eSport gaming events available to those with disabilities, has secured £5,000 in Firstport’s most recent Start It awards round.

Enable Gaming CIC co-founder Rob Flannigan was one of eight social entrepreneurs to receive a share of £36,696 funding in the latest round of Start It awards. Delivered by social enterprise agency Firstport, Start It awards are focused on piloting new ideas that are yet to get off the ground. Budding entrepreneurs can apply for up to £5000 to cover essential start-up costs. The grant was awarded from the Scottish Government’s Social Entrepreneurs Fund.

West Lothian based Enable Gaming CIC aims to create a fully accessible gaming community, bringing eSports to more rural areas across Scotland as well as to those affected by disabilities. Co-founder Flannigan first became aware of how inaccessible eSports events were four years ago and wanted to challenge this inequality by starting his own social enterprise.

The enterprise works to assist individuals with disabilities, mental health needs and people who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. It works closely with local communities by hosting small eSports tournaments, which are accessible to all, regardless of gaming experience. With added support from ebuyer.com, Enable Gaming aims to highlight how manufacturers could incorporate more inclusive technologies into their gaming events.

Flannigan said: "We aim for Enable Gaming to be Scotland’s number one for eSports not just for the communities that we support but for the full gaming community, coming together to promote inclusion."

Josiah Lockhart, chief executive of Firstport, said: “Enable Gaming CIC is an exciting social enterprise that we haven’t seen the likes of before bringing social impact to an emerging sector. By assisting individuals with disabilities, mental health needs and people who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and engaging a wider audience on the accessibility of gaming events across the UK, Enable Gaming CIC is creating local impact whilst calling for a national change.

“Demand and competition for seed funds from the Social Entrepreneurs Fund is growing each, with success rates currently now below 25%. I want to congratulate each of the eight entrepreneurs who secured funding in a very competitive round. I look forward to seeing how their ideas develop and grow.”