Jonathan Lopes

Finding Financing for Content Creators

In 2022, the video game industry was valued at $347 billion. Twitch, a streaming service that specializes in video game content, paid out over $1 billion to their streamers that same year. Jonathan Lopes, BS ’16, plays an integral role in how those content creators get paid. 

Lopes graduated from Saint Joseph’s with a double major in finance and actuarial science and a minor in mathematics. This unique blend of coursework provided Lopes with a skill set that prepared him for life after college. 

“I learned how to approach complex problems, work effectively in teams and adapt to changing circumstances,” says Lopes. “The combination of hands-on projects, collaboration with peers and guidance from experienced professors helped me in my transition from student to professional.”

Upon graduating, Lopes landed a position with JPMorgan Chase as a financial analyst building a robust foundation in banking and corporate finance. He later joined Morgan Stanley, further enhancing his financial expertise. 

Using the skills he learned in the workplace, Lopes jumped on the opportunity to move to San Francisco to begin his journey as a content finance manager at Twitch. His current role consists of structuring financial deals with business partners and content leaders for content creators in the gaming and music space. 

“Seeing creators excel in these areas, as well as the growth of niche content, has been fascinating,” says Lopes. “It's a reflection of the dynamic nature of the content landscape and the exciting directions it’s taking.”

Attending last year’s TwitchCon event in Las Vegas, which brought all digital content creators together in one setting, allowed Lopes to see the impact his work has on the business and the community being created. 

“It drove home the realization that they had found a sense of community on Twitch and that our users are at the core of everything we do. This experience underscored the real impact we’re making,” says Lopes.

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