First Pitch returning to Lisbon this September during SBC Summit 2025

The news: SBC has announced that submissions are now open for First Pitch—the industry’s live pitch competition for startups. The next edition of First Pitch will take place during SBC Summit 2025 between September 16-18 in Lisbon, Portugal. Once again hosted by BettingStartups’ Jesse Learmonth, five startups will present their big idea to a panel of industry leaders and investors for a prize package valued at over $100,000.

Zoom in: First Pitch has become a must-watch for anyone tracking fresh ideas and founder talent in the real-money gaming space. For startups, the competition is a way to pressure test your thesis, meet like-minded founders—and, if you’re able to take home first place, access to marketing, design, and data offerings.

Wager Games took the top prize at SBC Americas earlier this year by leaning into a clear consumer trend: snackable, short-form video content embedded directly in sportsbook and DFS apps. Founder Kelson Quan clinched the win with what judge Paris Smith called a “crisp and engaging” pitch, and credited the experience for helping him and his team sharpen the company’s story.

Why it matters: First Pitch is where startups find out if their idea really holds up—or get a wake-up call to tighten up the story and roadmap. For everyone in the room, it’s a peek at who and what’s coming next in the industry. Last time, it was clear AI is top of mind, with fresh takes on both consumer and enterprise products.

Think you’re next? Get your pitch in by July 25. Full details here