Weeks 45 & 46, 2023

Hey hey, the world’s most niche newsletter is back!

We took last week off as we didn’t want to steal any of ESPN’s thunder (ha), but we’re back with an extra large helping of updates from the industry’s early-stage ecosystem.

This issue is brought to you by InPlay.ai, who are using AI to fully automate in-game micro-markets, correlation pricing, and advanced risk management.

Let’s dive in… ⤵️

📰 Headline news

• HappyHour invested in AI-based digital wallet solution Fluid to revolutionize payments in iGaming. (Link)

• ALT Sports Data secured exclusive global sports betting data rights agreement with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. (Link)

• Tallysight partnered with soccerbetusa.io to enhance the American soccer fan experience. (Link)

• nVenue and U.S. Integrity partnered to design betting integrity guidelines for the micro-betting category. (Link)

• Future Anthem releases new AI product in partnership with Betsson Group. (Link)

• Gamification platform Lucra partners with TennisONE to facilitate real-money gamification for tennis fans. (Link)

• Pro League Network launched the Pro Carrom Tour, with an eye towards getting it approved for betting in 2024. (Link)

• Sporttrade takes first six-figure bet in US exchange history:

Are you an industry startup with news to share? Send us your PR for inclusion here.

💬 Ink & airwaves

The best of what we read and listened to last week:

• 🎙️ Ep. 89 of The Betting Startups Podcast featured TJ Ross from Splash Sports, which is the leading sports gaming platform for peer-to-peer contests. Hear the insane story of how they came to market in stealth mode using an M&A strategy. Listen now (33:59): Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Web

• 🎙️ Ep. 90 of The Betting Startups Podcast featured Malcolm Wilkinson and Steve Steck from We The Bookie, which is Ireland’s only truly socially-responsible bookmaker. Can’t help but root for these guys. Listen now (31:06): Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Web

• 🎙️ Next.io dropped its latest instalment of the Vested Interest podcast, featuring regular appearances from industry investors Lloyd Danzig and Benjie Cherniak, along with a guest appearance from Roger Ehrenberg. Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• 🎙️ Our friend Ryan Knuppel welcomed Rithmm CEO Megan Lanham to the Knup Sports Show. They discussed predictive analytics, data modeling, and of course company building. Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• 📚 The always excellent Earnings & More newsletter published its ‘Startup Month’ issue, which highlighted current funding woes, and the nasty reality of down rounds. (Link)

• 📚 Rourke Struthers, CEO of GameBlazers, explains how he’s forging a new path in daily fantasy sports. (Link)

• 📚 Kind of a cool deep dive into building PunterGPT. (Link)

Are you reading (or writing) something that you think belongs here? Hit reply and send it to us for inclusion

This issue is brought to you by InPlay.ai, the frontrunner in AI-powered sports gaming technology. We're using advanced AI to build the ultimate second screen experience.

Learn more about the only full-stack solution for micro-SGPs and uninterrupted in-play markets at www.inplay.ai

💼 Great gigs

3 of the top jobs we saw last week with awesome growth-stage companies:

• New DFS platform Units is on the hunt for a Founding Product Designer. (Link)

• Prime Sports is looking for a Sportsbook Support Host in its NJ offices. (Link)

• Hölle Games is searching for a Senior Game Developer. (Link)

🗓️ Industry event calendar

Upcoming events relevant to early-stage companies in the space:

• ICE makes its swan song appearance in London February 6-8, 2024 before relocating to Barcelona in 2025. Get your free expo hall pass now and put it on the calendar! Register now.

• The Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association (aka FSGA) is hosting its annual winter conference February 13-14 in Las Vegas. Early bird pricing available if you book by January 15. Register now.

• NEXT Summit New York returns March 6-7, 2024 in a new state-of the-art venue in Manhattans financial district. The summit is focused on connecting startups with investors and operators with suppliers, which makes it THE conference where serious business gets done. Ticket info.

🤝 Deal corner

2 new deals hit our inbox this week. Take a look 👇

(Psst, founders: want to get your deal in an upcoming issue? Submit details here)

• 🆕 Raising: Company owns and operates a portfolio of niche sports leagues for a wagering audience. 600k social media followers and 18 state-based approvals for wagering. Content available on major sportsbook operators and company has inked large sponsorship and content deals as well as partnerships with major sports creators and athletes. Low six figure investment minimum.

• 🆕 Raising: B2C app using gamification to generate retention and vitality with Gen Z audiences. Mid six-figure TTM revenue with incredible ability to scale. Raising $400k, reasonable valuation, round over 50% committed.

Existing deals that are still open:

• Raising: Early-stage startup transforming season-long fantasy sports seeks $1.5m strategic investment as it looks to scale in 2024. Product went live in September and is seeing strong week-over-week growth and retention.

• Raising: US-based slot distributor that holds a contract with a top 5 operator in Michigan where it has received a provisional gaming license. Seeking $250,000 for a 4.9% equity share and a 10% royalty until fully repaid to expand into New Jersey, Ontario, and Pennsylvania, aiming for significant growth in the online casino industry.

• For Sale: Owner of domains draftpick-com and draftpicks-com selling both domains as package deal. Cash and/or equity in a future development project would be considered. Owned media assets with 21m subscribers could be made available to drive traffic to site.

Are you an investor that wants more details on these opportunities? Hit Reply and we’ll tee up an intro.

(also: our lawyers told us to say that none of this is investment advice, and we have not vetted the opportunities presented here. DYOR.)

C’est fin for this issue! Happy Thanksgiving to all that will be indulging, and thanks for being a subscriber 🙏