#271: Connecting People Through Gaming and Revolutionizing Esports with Patrick Cronin, USMA ‘13

Service Academy Business Mastermind

“Esports can turn something that could be very negative…180 degrees into a very positive experience for a child’s life.” -Patrick Cronin, USMA ‘13

Patrick Cronin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Vanta, an esports company that provides a curriculum, a platform, and leagues to help kids from 8-18 grow into the best version of themselves. The company integrates the lessons and life skills gained from traditional sports—being part of a team, learning how to win and lose well, and showing up for each other—into esports, allowing kids to become inspiring athletes and model citizens who can positively impact the gaming world and become future leaders. Pat earned his BS in Systems Management from the United States Military Academy at West Point and his Master of Business Administration from the Boston College Carroll School of Management.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The inspiration for starting Vanta
• How the program works at schools across the country and the positive impact it is having on kids
• The growth Vanta has experienced so far and Pat’s goals for this year
• How Pat and his team partner with large name brands in unique ways
• The challenges Vanta is facing as it continues to grow

90 percent of kids identify as a gamer, meaning they spend 10 hours a week or more gaming. Pat shares that the team at Vanta is making an impact on this demographic of kids by providing an after-school activity of interest to them that allows for social and emotional development, mentorship, and a sense of community. Not only is it rewarding for Pat to provide kids with an opportunity they wouldn’t have had otherwise, but it is also rewarding for Vanta as a company, which will be cash-flow positive starting this month. We enjoyed hearing from Pat about the very popular esports industry and how Vanta is creating community in the space. Congratulations on all of your success so far, Pat, and we look forward to seeing Vanta continue to grow!

Connect with Pat:

• LinkedIn
• vanta.gg
• [e-mail]

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.

Subscribe and help out the show:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher
• Leave us a 5-star review!

Special thanks to Pat for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA ’01