Betting Startups News for week of February 24, 2025

Greetings, loyal subscriber! 👋

So look, we’ve been on a short hiatus with the newsletter as we’ve been a bit busy with a little something called The Starties (more on that below) - but we’re back in your inbox with the latest and greatest from the industry’s early-stage ecosystem ✨

Let’s get into it ⤵️

📰 Headline news

Last week’s big headlines that caught our attention:

• The Starties finalists were announced across 9 award categories. (Link)

• LiveDuel won the “Best Startup” award at SiGMA Dubai. (Link)

• Applications opened for SBC First Pitch, with $100k prize package to be won. (Link)

• ALT Sports Data named Official Betting Data Supplier of Formula 1. (Link)

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

💬 Ink & airwaves

The best of what we’ve read, watched, and listened to the last few weeks:

• 🎙️ Ep. 154 of The Betting Startups Podcast featured Travis Geiger from WagerWire, and co-founder of The Starties. In this one, Travis and Jesse reveal the finalists for the upcoming Starties awards show on March 12 in NYC. Watch or listen now (28:41): YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• 🎙️ Ep. 153 of The Betting Startups Podcast featured Tyler Amirault and James White from HotTakes, which is the ultimate free-to-play sports betting simulator. Hear the guys explain how HotTakes is onboarding new bettors, launching their new app into the US market, the current state of affiliates, and plans to raise $3m this spring. Watch or listen now (35:28): YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• 🎙️ Ep. 152 of The Betting Startups Podcast featured Tiffany Santisteban Lagos from EmpowerYourPlay, which transforms gaming rewards by integrating micro-giving to charities of players’ choice. Hear Tiffany explain charitable giving as a retention tactic, her recent win at the Pitch ICE competition, and why running a startup is "like drinking water from a firehose". Watch or listen now (32:44): YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• 📚 Focus on First Pitch, and how past winners benefitted from winning the industry’s marquee startup pitch competition. Read it here.

• 📚 Feature on props.cash founder Pete Smaluck. The math-teacher-turned-company-founder reflects on the four year journey bootstrapping his betting research tool into a category leader. Read it here.

• 📚 Waterhouse VC’s February focuses on the genesis of prediction market Kalshi. Read it here.

🗓️ Industry event calendar

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

• NEXT NYC Summit is next week 🥳! Join 1,000+ executives at this premier conference in lower Manhattan. It’s an amazing opportunity for startups to meet some of the leading investors in the space. Use discount code SB2NYC52 for $200 off your Full Event Pass. Event Info | Buy Your Ticket

• The Starties awards show for startups, by startups is next week in Manhattan! Come celebrate the industry’s disruptors and innovators in a unique and memorable venue. March 12, 7:30-11:00. Tickets are now available, but quantities are very limited so jump on it! Buy Your Ticket

• SBC Summit Americas returns in May in its new home of Fort Lauderdale. More than 10,000 industry professionals will gather for unparalleled networking, knowledge exchange, and growth opportunities from May 13-15. And did we mention First Pitch? Use our exclusive discount code BETTINGSTARTUPSVIP for 50% off your Full Event Pass ($350 value!). Event Info | Buy Ticket

💼 Great gigs

Big opportunities with awesome growth-stage companies:

• 🆕 ALT Sports Data is looking for a Trading Manager. (Link)

• 🆕 Novig is on the hunt for a VP of Growth Marketing. (Link)

• 🆕 HotTakes is adding a Sports Content Writer to its team. (Link)

🤝 Deal corner

1 new deal for your consideration in this week’s issue ⤵️