ProGuides Will Shut Down at the End of May

ProGuides, an esports coaching platform, is set to cease operations at the end of May 2024. The platform, which was acquired by the performance training company Statespace in November 2022, provided users with one-on-one coaching services and masterclasses for major competitive titles such as Valorant, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike. While the parent company has not provided an official statement regarding the closure, the move marks the end of a service that had been a fixture in the esports training sector since its founding in 2015.

Throughout its history, ProGuides raised approximately $7.4 million across three funding rounds. At its peak, the platform served as a marketplace connecting gamers with professional coaches, having facilitated roughly $2 million in payouts to those instructors by April 2021. Following its acquisition by Statespace, the platform was intended to integrate with the Aim Lab product to create a comprehensive performance training ecosystem. However, the planned wind-down reflects broader instability within the esports industry, which has faced a significant increase in layoffs and business closures throughout 2024.

The closure highlights the ongoing challenges faced by specialized esports service providers in a shifting market. As the industry pivots toward alternative revenue streams like betting and government-backed initiatives, many legacy platforms have struggled to maintain viability. The decision to shutter ProGuides concludes nearly a decade of operations for the brand, leaving a gap in the market for dedicated, on-demand professional coaching services.