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Start.gg
What Does Start.gg Do?
Start.gg, originally founded as Smash.gg in 2015, is a comprehensive esports tournament platform and community hub. It provides tools for tournament organizers to create, manage, and run events for a wide variety of games. Players use Start.gg to find, register for, and compete in tournaments, track their progress, and connect with other gamers. Following its acquisition by Microsoft in December 2020, Start.gg continues to expand its features and support for the global esports ecosystem, empowering both grassroots and professional-level competitions.
Where Is Start.gg's Headquarters?
HQ Function
Core development, operations, and strategic direction for the Start.gg platform, integrated within Microsoft's gaming ecosystem.
Notable Features:
Access to Microsoft's global infrastructure, technology stack, and cross-functional teams.
Work Culture:
Collaborative and innovative, reflecting Microsoft's broader culture, with a focus on empowering esports communities and remote/hybrid work flexibility.
HQ Significance:
Serves as the central nervous system for a globally recognized esports platform, benefiting from Microsoft's scale and resources to drive future growth and support for the esports community.
Values Reflected in HQ: Community focus, competitive integrity, innovation, and global accessibility, amplified by Microsoft's commitment to gaming and empowering creators.
Location:
Start.gg supports esports tournaments and communities worldwide. The platform is utilized by organizers and players across North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Oceania, and other regions. Its services facilitate international competition and grassroots event organization globally, supported by Microsoft's robust cloud infrastructure for reliable worldwide access and scalability.
Street Address:
N/A (Operates under Microsoft; primary team often associated with Redmond or distributed)
City:
Redmond (aligned with Microsoft HQ and gaming divisions)
State/Province:
WA
Country:
USA
Where Else Does Start.gg Operate Around the World?
Global / Remote
Address: N/A (Distributed team within Microsoft's global network)
To provide localized support, platform access, and community engagement for tournament organizers and participants across different regions worldwide.
Buying Intent Signals for Start.gg
Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.
Who's Leading Start.gg? Meet the Executive Team
As of April 2025, Start.gg' leadership includes:
Who's Investing in Start.gg?
Start.gg has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:
What Leadership Changes Has Start.gg Seen Recently?
Specific executive-level (e.g., VP and above, dedicated solely to Start.gg as a distinct unit) hires or exits for the Start.gg team within Microsoft are not typically publicized as standalone announcements. Leadership roles and team composition are managed internally within Microsoft's broader gaming and platform divisions. No major public announcements of dedicated Start.gg executive changes have been made in the last 12 months.
What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byStart.gg?
Discover the tools Start.gg uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.
Start.gg Email Formats and Examples
While Start.gg was Smash.gg, common email formats might have included [first].[last]@smash.gg or [first_initial][last]@smash.gg. Since its acquisition by Microsoft, team members involved with Start.gg typically use Microsoft's standard email format, which is often [alias]@microsoft.com or [first].[last]@microsoft.com. For general inquiries or support, users are directed to official support channels on the Start.gg website.
[alias]@microsoft.com (for team members); historically: [first].[last]@smash.gg
Format
firstname.lastname@microsoft.com
Example
70%
Success rate
What's the Latest News About Start.gg?
Esports Insider • May 1, 2024
Start.gg Launches Beta for Tournament Organizer Payments
Start.gg has announced the beta launch of Organizer Payouts, a new feature enabling tournament organizers to receive payments directly through the platform, simplifying financial management for esports events....more
Esports Insider • November 16, 2023
Start.gg Rolls Out Achievements Feature to Gamify Tournament Participation
Esports tournament platform Start.gg has introduced a new 'Achievements' feature, allowing organizers to award digital badges to participants for various accomplishments, aiming to enhance engagement and player recognition....more
TechCrunch • December 2, 2020
Microsoft Acquires Esports Platform Smash.gg
Microsoft announced its acquisition of Smash.gg, a leading esports tournament organization platform, to integrate its services and bolster support for online gaming communities, later rebranding it to Start.gg....more
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