Tom Horn Gaming, a leading iGaming software supplier, has announced its latest partnership with Aardvark Technologies, a gambling and betting software platform provider.

With South Africa’s regulated market rapidly expanding, this collaboration marks a strategic step in Tom Horn Gaming’s global growth journey. By joining forces with Aardvark Technologies, the supplier reinforces its presence in regulated markets and extends its reach to new audiences –  operators and players alike.

Ondrej Lapides, CEO of Tom Horn Gaming, said: South Africa is a vibrant market with immense potential, and we’re excited to introduce our content to players in the region. Aardvark Technologies is a brand renowned for its excellent platform solutions, and this partnership allows operators to enhance their offerings effortlessly with our high-quality games. We look forward to growing together and building lasting relationships with local partners who share our vision for excellence.

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Arijus Denisovas, Commercial Director at Aardvark Technologies, added: We’re thrilled to bring Tom Horn Gaming’s engaging content to our platform and introduce it to the South African market. Their diverse portfolio aligns perfectly with local player preferences, and we’re confident it will add significant value to operators. This partnership underscores our commitment to offering cutting-edge solutions and delivering top-tier gaming experiences in the region.

Through Aardvark Technologies’ platform, South African operators can now access Tom Horn Gaming’s diverse portfolio, including the blockbuster 243 Crystal Fruits series and The Secret of Ba.

2024 was your debut year with Xanada Investments. Looking back, what are the key highlights or moments that defined this first year for the fund?

2024 marked the beginning of an ambitious journey for Xanada Investments – a year where we laid a strong foundation for what’s to come. While the real work lies ahead, I can confidently say that we’ve set the stage.

The highlight was undoubtedly our successful allocation of $9 million across 8 impactful projects, selected from a pool of 350 submissions. Each startup impressed us with its scalability, strong team, and ability to deliver real results – qualities we value as the cornerstone of every successful partnership.

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Another defining moment was the debut of the Xanada Startup Contest. It was a platform not just to identify potential investments. We actively participated in major industry events like iGB LaunchPad, SiGMA Pitch, and SBC First Pitch – events we couldn’t pass up. As a newcomer, we not only made our presence known but also earned recognition, securing awards and forging valuable connections.

Beyond numbers, the year was about building a community – a network of partners, founders, and investors who believe in driving transformative change.This is just the start of an exciting journey.

What inspired you to launch the Xanada Startup Contest, and how would you evaluate its impact in 2024?

It’s no secret that many startups are in need of investment. But the real question is, do they have the expertise, networks, and strategic foundation to actually make that investment work? This was one of the key insights that led us to create the Xanada Startup Contest. It wasn’t about running a competition with just a single winner; it was about creating a transparent process: a live showcase of how startups grow, pivot, and adapt in real-time.

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Too often, what happens behind the scenes stays hidden, but we wanted to change that. The results speak for themselves. With 250 applications pouring in, representing a diverse range of ideas from around the globe, we witnessed firsthand the depth of creativity within the startup ecosystem. And through a rigorous selection process, we identified and elevated one standout winner – FTDx. The real impact of the contest lies in its ability to challenge founders to think bigger and execute better. That’s what makes the Xanada Startup Contest more than just a competition.

Many associate investment funds with slow decision-making processes. Yet Xanada Investments has been incredibly dynamic. What’s your secret to keeping up this pace in the previous year?

The secret lies in creating frameworks that balance precision with speed. We’ve developed rigorous evaluation processes that combine both quantitative and qualitative metrics to assess startups effectively without losing momentum.

But beyond frameworks, it’s about having a team with the right mindset. At Xanada Investments, we embrace adaptability and foster collaboration. Our team operates with the energy and agility of a startup, and that allows us to move quickly, even in an industry often seen as traditional and slow.

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You partnered with 8 startups this year. What caught your attention in these projects, and what’s your strategy for picking the “perfect match” for Xanada Investments?

At Xanada Investments, our focus has always been on backing projects that bring something unique to the table. What sets us apart is not just what we look for, but how we see it. For us, it starts with the people – the founders. Their vision, resilience, and ability to execute are what capture our attention first. These are individuals who truly understand their markets, are ready to pivot when challenges arise, and have the determination to turn ideas into reality.

Among the projects we’ve backed this year, Promofy is revolutionizing user retention with AI-driven gamification, delivering personalized engagement at scale. Gamixter is helping operators optimize player interaction with real-time engagement tools, creating more immersive gaming experiences. Bettorify, focused on the rapidly growing Asian market, provides localized white-label and turnkey solutions, enabling operators to navigate regional complexities with ease.

These are just a few examples of the startups we support. Each project we invest in plays a role in building a stronger, more dynamic iGaming landscape. And we’re only getting started.

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With 11 award nominations and 2 wins already, success is clearly part of Xanada’s DNA. But how do you define success beyond the numbers?

For us, success isn’t measured by the number of awards. Of course, we are talking about  financial returns, about impact, although we deeply appreciate the recognition – it’s always rewarding to see our efforts acknowledged on such a level. These awards are proof that we’re on the right track, but they are only part of the story.

But are we helping startups achieve their goals? Are we setting new benchmarks in the iGaming industry? The true measure of success lies in the growth of the projects we support and the people behind them. When we see startups flourishing, scaling their businesses, and turning ideas into impactful solutions, that’s the ultimate reward.

Another key indicator of success for us is the relationships we cultivate. When founders and partners come to see Xanada Investments not as just an investor but as a trusted collaborator and ally, we know we’re doing something right. These connections, built on trust and mutual ambition, are the foundation of our ecosystem.

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What does the future hold for Xanada Investments in 2025? Are there any ambitious goals or projects you can share with us?

2025 is about scaling powerful results. We plan to invest in 10–12 new startups, focusing on projects with strong business fundamentals, exceptional teams, and clear strategies for growth. Our approach prioritizes opportunities with a targeted IRR of 25–40% and a MOIC of 3–5x, ensuring every investment aligns with our commitment to sustainable, measurable returns.

We’re taking the Xanada Startup Contest to the next level this year. Xanada Investments is expanding its reach and updating the evaluation process to attract a wider range of participants from diverse industries and markets. To ensure the best selection, we’re involving not only our team but also top industry experts to evaluate the entries. This will help us find and support the most promising ideas out there. With more transparency and live engagement, you’ll have the chance to see and hear these groundbreaking ideas in action. Stay tuned, big things are on the horizon!

Xanada Investments is also focused on strengthening our internal capabilities. A key priority for 2025 is to grow our team by bringing in top talent, including a dedicated analyst, to refine our data-driven approach to startup evaluation. We want to be a partner that equips startups with the tools, mentorship, and connections they need to succeed. The road ahead is ambitious, but we’re ready to seize the opportunities 2025 has in store.

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The top-30 teams from tournament leaderboard will be invited to the San Siro Stadium in Milan for unforgettable experience at final event with Awards Ceremony

Boomerang Partners has launched the second annual traffic tournament Golden Boomerang Awards 2025. This competition for affiliate teams from all over the world will run from February 3 to May 11. The conditions are simple:

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• register, by coming up with a name for the team and adding data to the profile;
• generate quality traffic;
• perform additional tasks;
• get cool prizes for your results;
• take home the Grand Prix’s top prize!

All interested affiliate teams can register on the official Golden Boomerang Awards website, on the Telegram Bot, or through their manager.

After successful registration, participants must drive high-quality traffic to Boomerang brands – betting and casinos. Only FTDs (first deposits) will count towards scoring and monthly prizes. This year, teams will compete on two leaderboards: sports and casino traffic. The organizers also prepared nine additional nominations, giving even more chances to score big!

By participating in Golden Boomerang Awards 2025, teams can have an unparalleled experience. The tournament is divided into three monthly stages. The winners and participants who complete the monthly tasks will receive prizes ranging from the fulfillment of your dream to cash prizes. It will also be possible to get additional points and increase leaderboard positions by leaving reviews, following on social networks, etc. And, of course, special prizes are awarded for winning nominations. The top 30 teams will have an unforgettable time and a special program in Milan. The final will be held at one of the best stadiums in the world, the San Siro. This is possible because Boomerang is the Official Regional Betting Partner of AC Milan in Europe. The team has more than 500 million fans worldwide!

Julia Makarova, Head of Affiliates of Boomerang Partners, said, “The Golden Boomerang Awards is a unique project in our industry. It allows us to motivate our partners and improve communication with them. The tournament brings us closer to affiliates, adding value to our cooperation. This project combines a tournament with motivation in the form of cool prizes and the creation of a unique unmatched community – that’s what makes it special. The Golden Boomerang Awards confirms trust and long-term collaboration between Boomerang and our partners.”

Detailed Golden Boomerang Awards terms and conditions and registration are available on the tournament website: https://goldenboomerangawards.com