North American esports powerhouse Cloud9 is making waves with its latest strategic move. A fresh partnership has been sealed with JetBrains, the Czech software development tool innovator, marking a significant step in intertwining technology with the gaming world.
Introducing JetBrains to Esports
This collaboration designates JetBrains as Cloud9’s official AI-powered coding partner. The alliance aims to enhance the visibility of gaming-focused developers while embedding deeper relevance in the esports realm. This move is not merely a sponsorship, but a dynamic collaboration intended to fuse technology with esports to ignite innovation and creativity.
JetBrains will also aid Cloud9 in numerous initiatives, including content creation and the launch of a Hackathon to foster new projects and solutions. Throughout 2026, expect a content series illustrating how JetBrains’ AI-driven tools support Cloud9’s operations across its League of Legends, VALORANT, Rainbow Six, and Call of Duty teams.
Cloud9’s Strategy and Expansion
Cloud9’s venture with JetBrains is part of a broader strategy that has witnessed the organization embracing AI on several fronts. In May, the organization partnered with Theta Network to introduce Nimbus, a Cloud9-branded AI chatbot aimed at engaging fans on its Discord server and website.
As the organization gears up for the upcoming 2026 season, strategic changes are underway. October saw Nick ‘Inero’ Smith take the helm as Head Coach for Cloud9’s League of Legends division. Concurrently, VALORANT player Michael ‘neT’ Bernet is exploring new opportunities following Cloud9’s failure to qualify for the VALORANT Champions event in Paris.