Kiel Gaming Port e.V.

What Kiel Gaming Port e.V. does

Kiel Gaming Port e.V. is a non-profit registered association (eingetragener Verein) under German law, headquartered at Werftbahnstraße 8 in Kiel (Kulturschmiede W8 cultural center), that combines a community gaming venue, competitive e-sports event organization, and youth media literacy education. The organization runs four recurring event series: Northern Impact Zone (monthly Super Smash Bros. tournaments, ~30-40 participants each), K-Port (K-Pop and Korean culture events including Random Dance drawing 100+ attendees), Galactic Starport Stellaris (multiplayer Stellaris roleplay), and Maritime Mayhem (Counter-Strike 2 tournaments). It also operates school-based e-sport AGs (after-school programs) at three partner schools (Max-Planck-Schule, Käthe-Kollwitz-Schule, Friedrich-Junge-Gemeinschaftsschule) and delivers media literacy workshops on deceptive patterns in video games. The association was formally registered on January 30, 2024 (operating informally since 2023) and received the "Digitaler Knotenpunkt Schleswig-Holstein" designation from the state in October 2025.

The organization's physical venue is equipped with gaming stations, VR equipment, racing simulators, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and streaming equipment. Technology used in educational programs consists of consumer-grade tools: Scratch for game design workshops, Tinkercad for 3D design (with on-site 3D printing), and Twitch for livestreaming workshops — no proprietary technology platforms are developed. The program portfolio includes a five-day livestreaming workshop (15 participants aged 12-16), game design workshops (12 participants aged 9-16), 3D design and printing workshops, and the "Unsere Spiele, Unsere Regeln!" media literacy project on deceptive patterns, funded by MeKo-Förderung Schleswig-Holstein and delivered to multiple pilot schools including Heinrich-Heine-Schule and Ernst-Barlach-Gymnasium.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix typical for a German gemeinnützig association: tax-deductible donations and supporting memberships (subscription recurring), event ticket sales (EUR 15 for Smash Bros. tournaments, EUR 15-29 for Stellaris events), public grants (MeKo-Förderung Schleswig-Holstein, Stiftung Digitale Spielkultur's "Stärker mit Games" initiative), Betterplace.org crowdfunding, and Amazon affiliate commissions. Most youth workshops are offered free through the City of Kiel's Ferienpass program. The association has approximately 7 paid staff with 15-20 active volunteers, is led by Chairman Max Kreft, Deputy Chair Maja Weiblen, and Treasurer Thorben Kautza, and reported tripled revenue at its 2025 annual meeting. The current venue faces demolition, prompting an active crowdfunding campaign for relocation and 12 months of operating costs.

Name

Kiel Gaming Port e.V.

Legal name

Kiel Gaming Port e.V.

Website

https://kielgamingport.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kiel Gaming Port e.V. is a Kiel-based non-profit registered association that runs e-sports tournaments, K-Pop cultural events, and media literacy workshops for children, youth, and schools across the Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Gaming and E-Sport Services

NAICS

Amusement Arcades (71312), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Amateur/Grassroots Esports Leagues & Community Tournaments (MPAFADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gaming & Virtual World Communities (BPAMABAE), Gaming & Virtual World Social Platforms (MPACAJAG), VR & Immersive Esports/LBE Venues (VR Arenas, Sim Racing Pods) (MPAFALAE)

Keywords

• Community gaming events
• E-sport tournaments
• Media literacy workshops
• Youth gaming education
• Esports school programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Kiel

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership Fees: As a non-profit association, the organization relies on donations and supporting membership fees. Tax-deductible donations available with donation receipts for amounts over 300 EUR.
2. Event Ticket Sales: Revenue from paid events such as Northern Impact Zone tournaments (15 EUR), Galactic Starport Stellaris roleplay events (15-29 EUR), and other gaming events.
3. Crowdfunding: Crowdfunding campaigns to finance specific projects such as relocation costs. Currently running campaign for new venue rental and operating costs for 12 months.
4. Sponsorships and Grants: Funding from institutional partners including MeKo-Förderung Schleswig-Holstein, Stiftung Digitale Spielkultur (Initiative Stärker mit Games), and other grants.
5. Amazon Affiliate: Affiliate commissions from Amazon purchases through their affiliate link.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Kiel Gaming Port e.V. operates a community gaming venue and event space in Kiel, Germany, offering recurring competitive gaming tournaments (Northern Impact Zone Super Smash Bros., Maritime Mayhem Counter-Strike 2), narrative roleplay events (Galactic Starport Stellaris), K-Pop and Korean culture events (K-Port), school-based e-sport after-school programs (E-Sport AGs), media literacy workshops (e.g., on deceptive patterns in video games), and holiday workshop series covering game design, 3D modeling and printing, pen-and-paper RPGs, and livestreaming. The organization targets children, youth, K-Pop enthusiasts, and schools in the Schleswig-Holstein region.

Product overview

Kiel Gaming Port e.V. is a non-profit community organization serving as a gaming venue and event space in Kiel, Germany. Rather than a unified software product, the organization offers a portfolio of programs and event series: core competitive gaming events (Northern Impact Zone Smash Bros. tournaments, Maritime Mayhem CS2 tournaments, Galactic Starport Stellaris roleplay events); cultural programming (K-Port K-Pop and Korean culture events including Random Dance sessions); educational initiatives (school-based E-Sport AGs, media literacy workshops on deceptive patterns, and holiday workshops on topics like game design, 3D printing, and digital creativity). The offerings are event-based community programs rather than software products or platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Northern Impact Zone: Monthly Super Smash Bros. tournament series held in Kiel
• K-Port
• Galactic Starport Stellaris
• Maritime Mayhem
• Unsere Spiele, Unsere Regeln!

Products and services

• Northern Impact Zone Monthly Super Smash Bros. tournament series held in Kiel, attracting approximately 30-40 participants per event; the organization's longest-running and most established event brand, with 8 editions held in 2025.
• K-Port K-Pop and Korean culture event series including Random Dance events, K-Pop flea markets, cultural activities, and community gatherings for K-Pop enthusiasts in Kiel, regularly attracting over 100 dancers from across Schleswig-Holstein.
• Galactic Starport Stellaris Multiplayer Stellaris roleplay event series where participants take control of unique species, form alliances, pursue secret objectives, and compete in galactic politics through a continuous narrative storyline held over multi-day events.
• Maritime Mayhem Counter-Strike 2 tournament series providing a competitive gaming venue for the local Counter-Strike community in Kiel.
• E-Sport AGs an Schulen School-based esports and gaming after-school programs (E-Sport AGs) offered in partnership with local schools and CVJM Kiel, including esports training, team building, and physical activity components, delivered as part of Offener Ganztag (after-school care).
• Unsere Spiele, Unsere Regeln! Media literacy project on deceptive patterns in video games, teaching youth to identify manipulative design tactics through interactive workshops held at schools and the organization's venue.
• Ferienworkshops Holiday workshop series for youth covering topics such as game design (using Scratch), 3D design (using Tinkercad), 3D printing, digital drawing, button/pendant making, pen and paper RPGs, and livestreaming, offered free through Ferienpass Kiel.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8 Northern Impact Zone tournaments held in 2025 with 30-40 participants each
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Offene Kinder- und Jugendarbeit (OKJA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Open child and youth work framework. The organization operates as part of this framework in Schleswig-Holstein.
• Kieler Jugendring e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership organization for youth work in Kiel. Provides institutional support and networking for the organization's youth-focused gaming and media literacy activities.
• Die Pumpe e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth culture organization in Kiel. Recent member addition for potential future collaborations.
• CVJM KielcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian youth work organization. Cooperation partner for E-Sport AG at Friedrich-Junge-Schule, providing framework for after-school gaming programs.
• musiculumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusical learning and experimentation workshop in Kiel. Partnership for livestreaming workshop, providing professional facilities and equipment.
• Elly-Heuss-Knapp-Schule NeumünsterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution for educator training. Partnership for Minecraft-based media pedagogy project teaching future educators to use digital games in pedagogy.
• Offener Kanal KielminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOpen channel organization. Provided tablet lending for media literacy workshop 'Unsere Spiele, Unsere Regeln'.
• Dr. Benjamin StrobelminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPsychologist and media education expert. Conducted team training workshop on deceptive patterns in video games.
• Andreas LangerminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDipl.-Medienpädagoge (media education expert) and youth media culture specialist. Delivered interactive lectures on deceptive patterns for school workshops.
• Initiative Stärker mit Games (Stiftung Digitale Spielkultur)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding provided for 3D design workshop and other workshop offerings through the foundation's gaming initiative program.
• Zukunft Schule im digitalen Zeitalter (Landesprogramm)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState program for digital education. Educational Engineer Kirsten Redlin (Sprachencluster CAU Kiel) served as content cooperation partner for media literacy project.
• NTjD (K-Pop Tanzgruppe)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal K-Pop dance group from Kiel. Supported creation of Random Play Dance event and performed at K-Port events.
• K IdolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor covering costs for Random Play Dance event organization.
• Förde SparkasseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional savings bank. Sponsor for K-Port 2023 event.
• SeoulBapminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKorean restaurant in Kiel. Provided catering (Bibimbap) for K-Port 2023 event.
• Kulturschmiede W8coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural venue management for Werftbahnstraße 8. Provides space for organization's venue and events.
• Kieler Woche PlaygroundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren and youth program during Kieler Woche festival. Organization contributes gaming and K-Pop activities annually.
• Baltic Games FestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional gaming event in Neumünster. Organization participated with booth and workshop offerings.
• Digitale Woche KielminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual digital week event in Kiel. Organization runs Rocket League Firmencup and presents media literacy projects.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ESL FACEIT Group: Cologne-headquartered global esports tournament operator and competitive gaming platform (ESL Gaming). Comparable as a Germany-rooted esports tournament organizer that operates the competitive Smash Bros. and CS2 circuits overlapping with Kiel Gaming Port's Northern Impact Zone and Maritime Mayhem series.
• BIG (Berlin International Gaming): Berlin-based professional esports organization competing across multiple titles including CS2. Comparable as a German-rooted esports tournament and team operator overlapping with Kiel Gaming Port's Maritime Mayhem CS2 community tournaments, though at a much larger professional scale.
• gamescom (Koelnmesse): The world's largest gaming event, held annually in Cologne. Comparable as a major German gaming ecosystem participant with regional festival programming (similar to Kiel Gaming Port's Kieler Woche Playground presence), though operating at vastly larger scale.
• ESBD (Esport-Bund Deutschland): The official German esports federation based in Berlin, representing organized esports clubs and leagues nationwide. Comparable as the institutional umbrella for organized amateur and grassroots esports in Germany, where Kiel Gaming Port operates as a community-level member organization.

Direct peers

• Creative Gaming e.V. Hamburg-based non-profit association focused on game culture and media literacy for youth, offering workshops, educational programs, and community events. Comparable to Kiel Gaming Port as a German registered non-profit combining gaming community building with structured media pedagogy and youth education.
• gamearea e.V. German non-profit gaming and esports community organization offering event series, school programs, and youth workshops. Comparable to Kiel Gaming Port as a peer-sized community e.V. combining grassroots esports events with media literacy and educational programming.

Others

• Stiftung Digitale Spielkultur: Berlin-based German foundation promoting digital gaming culture and funding community gaming projects nationwide through its 'Stärker mit Games' initiative. Comparable as a Germany-wide ecosystem partner/fundholder supporting the same media literacy and youth gaming programs that Kiel Gaming Port delivers regionally.

Regional players

• Eintracht Frankfurt eSports: Esports division of traditional Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt, operating competitive teams and community programs in Hessen. Comparable as a Germany-based organization combining traditional club/community identity with amateur esports programs aimed at youth, though anchored in a different region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@K-Port
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kiel-gaming-port
• Instagraminstagram.com/kielgamingport
• TikToktiktok.com/@kiel.gaming.port

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kiel Gaming Port e.V.