How This Under 30 Is Capitalizing On The $100 Billion Video Gaming Boom

"The video games industry isn't just growing-it's exploding. Between 2017 and 2021, global revenues in gaming surged by more than $100 billion, according to Boston Consulting Group. And 2026 Under 30 honoree Jordan Lazarus saw the shift early."

"Today, he runs Xen Gaming, an esports team and talent agency representing 35 gaming creators, who compete under the Xen banner in major tournaments while Lazarus secures brand deals with partners like Amazon and Walmart. "The best way to understand that concept is to think of any sports team. I own a team in gaming like the Knicks, and we have players that play for us," Lazarus explains."

""And instead of letting these players join an agency, we represent them, run their emails, do their legal. We're a one-stop shop for talent." It's a relatively new model, but one that's paying off: Xen's roster boasts a combined following of 45 million, with creators posting daily across games like Fortnite and Call of Duty, alongside lifestyle content on platforms like YouTube."

""My job is helping these creators monetize, scale, do merchandise, production, everything they possibly need," Lazarus says. Now 27, Lazarus began laying the groundwork while he was still in high school. He launched an Instagram account called @Fortnite.clips, betting that users would search for exactly that. The account quickly grew to 50,000 followers, giving him leverage to reach out to streamers he was already watching and offering to help expand their audiences."

Gaming revenues grew rapidly, increasing by more than $100 billion globally between 2017 and 2021. Jordan Lazarus recognized that Fortnite helped turn players into influencers and built a business around that shift. He runs Xen Gaming, which combines an esports team with a talent agency representing 35 gaming creators. Creators compete under the Xen banner in major tournaments while Lazarus handles brand deals with partners such as Amazon and Walmart. Xen’s roster includes creators producing daily content across games like Fortnite and Call of Duty, plus lifestyle content on YouTube. Lazarus started early by launching an Instagram account focused on Fortnite clips, then used its growth to connect with streamers and expand audiences.

Read at Forbes