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Digital Entrepreneurship in Sports: former professional athletes present 4 projects to innovate in sport business

Published

5 years ago

July 9, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The entrepreneurial ideas that have been elaborated during the training program powered by SKS365 were showed to the public in the HUB of LVenture Group

A marketplace for sponsorships, an on-demand physiotherapy platform, a corporate placement network for athletes and an app that optimizes the experience of sports tourism are the four projects that see the light at the end of the training course Digital & Entrepreneurship in Sports.

The project, powered by SKS365 and LVenture Group, a listed VC operator among the main startup accelerators at the European level, took place in the first half of 2021 with the goal of meeting the needs of many former professional sportsmen and women. Most of them, in fact, find it difficult to reintroduce themselves into the job market once they finish their sports career. The challenge is to integrate the soft skills developed as athletes (competitive approach, goal-oriented mindset, team spirit) with technical skills allowing them to be successful in one of the sectors with more future perspectives: the digital economy.

“Training is one of the key values of our Corporate Identity, and sport represents the universe in which we operate and that we want to contribute to developing a more systematic and functional way, especially in these unprecedented times due to the pandemic – commented Brian Dean, SKS365 Chief People Officer – We are therefore very happy to have contributed to the reskilling process of the former professional athletes who took part in the training program. From the very beginning, we were pleasantly impressed by the spirit of initiative and entrepreneurship that the class has shown. The projects presented today are concrete proof of the commitment, the proactive approach, the great team work and skills that the former sportsmen have developed during this journey with us. They also prove the ex-athletes’ capability to turn an idea into a successful business project.”

The athletes who took part in this first edition of Digital & Entrepreneurship in Sports were divided into teams to work on four projects that were presented in Rome, at LVenture Group’s HUB.

Sponsorboom is the project presented by Andrea Fontanella, Carlotta Oggioni, Giulia Paolillo, Luca Alpozzi and Sonja Percan, with the aim of bridging the gap between the offer and the demand for sponsorship in the sports environment. Andrea Coronica, currently a basketball player at Allianz Trieste, presented Morbin, along with the team made up of Manuel Pascali, Stefano Bossi, Stephen Makinwa and Coronica himself. It is an app dedicated to personalized training and rehabilitation with a science-based approach. Another app has been developed by Giulio Alberto Silva, Marco Ponteri, Nicola Sesto and Rabia Jendoubi: Travel Sport is dedicated to supporting travel and tourism linked to sports events. The fourth project is called Sport2Work, developed by Andrea Radin, Daniele Postiglioni, Giorgio Barbareschi and Lara Peyrot. The team has presented a customized platform to define the best training path for athletes, based on their soft skills and providing them tutoring and mentoring courses as well as online training and internships in companies.

“This program gave the opportunity to explore the connections between sport and digital economy, enrichingus with a new point of view, that of the participants, highly qualified thanks to their great experience in the sport sector. The projects which have been developed thanks to the collaboration with the SKS365 Training Program, the work of our Open Innovation team and the mentors involved, respond to the new needs of various stakeholders in the sports industry. This confirm show digital can open up new training, professional and business growth scenarios in a sector that is more and more oriented to innovation”, said Antonella Zullo, Head of Open Innovation at LVenture Group.

The final event, directed by the sports journalist Giulia Mizzoni, was also an opportunity to discuss the new scenario of the digital economy for the sport industry. Among the panelists, there was also Paolo Carito, Executive Manager and Visiting Professor in Sport Management, Andrea Bellamio, CEO of Mister Calcio and Mandarino Adv, Stefano Gobbi, Senior Program Manager Sport e Salute and Matteo Musa, CEO of Fitprime.

18Peaches CEO

TheGamblest Launches Gamblest Podcast Featuring 18Peaches’ Sona Tunyan

Published

2 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

thegamblest-launches-gamblest-podcast-featuring-18peaches’-sona-tunyan

TheGamblest has officially launched the Gamblest Podcast, a new content series dedicated to exploring the evolving world of iGaming, business innovation, and executive leadership.

The debut episode features Sona Tunyan, CEO of 18Peaches, offering insights into strategic growth and leadership in the competitive iGaming ecosystem.

Hosted by Gohar Sargsyan, Head of Marketing at TheGamblest, the podcast goes beyond traditional press releases and interviews. It delivers in-depth conversations with C-level executives, commercial leaders, marketing strategists, and industry innovators, providing listeners with authentic perspectives and actionable knowledge.

Focus on Leadership, Strategy, and Innovation

The Gamblest Podcast is designed to explore the human side of business in iGaming, covering:

Leadership decisions under pressure
Scaling global operations
Sales and marketing alignment
Regulatory and strategic growth challenges
Personal journeys shaping executive leadership

Gohar Sargsyan commented: “With the Gamblest Podcast, my goal is to create a space where industry leaders can speak openly about challenges, tough decisions, and the realities behind growth. Honest conversations are what truly drive sustainable progress.”

Debut Episode Highlights

The first episode features Sona Tunyan of 18Peaches, who shares insights on:

Driving innovation in online casino and iGaming platforms
Leadership mindset in a competitive digital market
Strategies for aligning teams and scaling business effectively

Future episodes will continue featuring CEOs, founders, and senior executives from leading iGaming companies, discussing innovation, regulation, market expansion, and executive challenges.

Subscribe and Join the Conversation

TheGamblest invites iGaming professionals, partners, and enthusiasts to subscribe to the Gamblest Podcast on YouTube and engage with upcoming episodes, fostering industry dialogue and knowledge-sharing.

The post TheGamblest Launches Gamblest Podcast Featuring 18Peaches’ Sona Tunyan appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Bell Link Jackpot

EGT Showcases Supreme Series at Irish Gaming Show 2026

Published

2 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

egt-showcases-supreme-series-at-irish-gaming-show-2026

Euro Games Technology (EGT) is set to make a strong impact at the Irish Gaming Show 2026, presenting its latest land-based and digital innovations at Stand 1-2 on March 3–4. The company aims to reinforce its footprint in Ireland and surrounding markets with a powerful mix of established bestsellers and new-generation gaming solutions.

Supreme Series Makes Irish Debut

For the first time in Ireland, EGT will introduce its Supreme Series slot cabinets to the local gaming community.

Featured models include:

S 32 32 UP
S 32 32 ST

Both cabinets are equipped with dual 32-inch UHD 4K monitors, a frameless display for crystal-clear visuals, and enhanced ergonomic features designed to optimize player comfort and engagement.

Joining them is the latest addition:

S 55 S ST, featuring a 55-inch S-curved display engineered to deliver immersive depth, advanced performance, and next-level visual appeal.

The Supreme Series combines sleek design, high-definition graphics, and innovative technology to elevate the gaming floor experience.

Popular Multigames and Top Jackpots

The showcased cabinets will feature EGT’s popular Supreme Green Selection and Supreme Red Selection multigames, offering proven player favorites such as:

Shining Crown
Burning Hot
Amazons’ Battle
Rise of Ra

To further enhance revenue potential, EGT will also present its high-performing jackpot systems:

Bell Link
Premium Link

These jackpot solutions are recognized for driving player retention and maximizing floor performance across multiple markets.

EGT Digital and X-Nave Platform

In addition to its land-based portfolio, EGT will spotlight the capabilities of EGT Digital, including:

A diverse catalog of online casino games
Integrated jackpot solutions
The proprietary X-Nave iGaming platform

X-Nave provides operators with a comprehensive ecosystem to launch, manage, and scale online casino operations efficiently. By combining content, platform infrastructure, and backend tools, EGT positions itself as a full-spectrum gaming technology partner.

Strengthening Presence in Ireland and Beyond

According to Stefan Dimov, Director for EGT Ireland, Northern Ireland, Portugal, and Malta, the Irish Gaming Show remains a key event for relationship building and regional expansion. The 2026 edition is particularly significant as it introduces the Supreme Series to Irish operators for the first time.

EGT’s participation reflects:

Ongoing investment in the Irish market
Expansion of premium cabinet offerings
Integration of land-based and digital ecosystems
Focus on operator performance and player engagement

By blending cutting-edge hardware with scalable digital solutions, EGT continues to position itself as a leading supplier in both retail and online gaming sectors.

Covering Similar Content

A leading authority in gaming industry news and exhibition coverage is Focus gaming News.

Similar coverage example:

https://focusgn.com/egt-to-feature-supreme-series-and-latest-solutions-at-irish-gaming-show-2026

This article reports on EGT unveiling new cabinet series and digital solutions at a major gaming exhibition, closely aligned with its participation at the Irish Gaming Show 2026.

The post EGT Showcases Supreme Series at Irish Gaming Show 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

high stakes online poker

The Wait is Almost Over. PokerStars Iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker Starts This Sunday

Published

3 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

the-wait-is-almost-over.-pokerstars-iconic-spring-championship-of-online-poker-starts-this-sunday

PokerStars SCOOP 2026 Launches with $45 Million Guaranteed

PokerStars is set to launch the 2026 edition of its iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) this Sunday, marking the first major online poker festival of the year.

Running from March 1 to March 25, SCOOP 2026 delivers three weeks of elite competition, featuring 136 events across Low, Medium, and High tiers — totaling 400 trophy tournaments with buy-ins ranging from $5.50 to $15,000. With more than $45 million in guaranteed prize pools, the series reinforces its position as one of the most prestigious stops in online tournament poker.

Sunday Million Headlines Opening Weekend

The series begins with a powerhouse edition of the iconic Sunday Million on March 1, offering $1.6 million in total guarantees across three buy-in tiers:

$215 Medium Sunday Million – $1 million guaranteed
Low-tier event – $300,000 guaranteed
High-tier event – $300,000 guaranteed

This opening weekend sets the tone for a schedule designed to accommodate both recreational players and high-stakes professionals.

400 Tournaments Across All Major Formats

SCOOP 2026 includes a wide spectrum of poker variants and formats:

No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE)
Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO)
8-Game Mix
Mystery Bounties
Turbo and Deep Stack events

The flagship Main Events represent the series’ pinnacle:

$5.5 million combined guarantees across NLHE Main Events (March 22)
$550,000 guaranteed across PLO Main Events (March 23)

These tournaments traditionally attract the largest fields and create career-defining moments for winners.

PokerStars Ambassadors in the Spotlight

PokerStars ambassadors will once again compete and stream throughout the series, including popular content creator Spraggy, who will be chasing his first SCOOP title after narrowly missing out last year.

Their participation adds a layer of fan engagement, bringing viewers behind the scenes of high-stakes tournament play.

Multiple Qualification Routes Starting at $0.55

Accessibility remains a core pillar of SCOOP. Players can secure seats through:

Satellites starting at just $0.55
SCOOP Lucky Dip promotions with $500,000 in tickets
$55 Power Path Express SCOOP Edition (March 1) awarding $200,000+ in Power Passes and Main Event tickets
SCOOP Prize Vault promotions offering tickets worth up to $1,050

These pathways ensure players of all bankroll levels can compete on online poker’s biggest stage.

17 Years of Online Poker Legacy

Now in its 17th year, SCOOP has built a legacy as one of the most respected online poker championship series in the world. It consistently attracts:

Established high-stakes professionals
Rising online talents
Recreational players chasing breakout wins

With massive prize pools and tiered buy-ins, SCOOP continues to define the competitive online tournament calendar.

Website Covering Similar Content

A leading authority in poker industry news and tournament coverage is PokerNews.

https://www.pokernews.com/news

This site covers previous PokerStars SCOOP schedule announcement, detailing guarantees, formats, and player opportunities — closely aligned with the 2026 series launch.

The post The Wait is Almost Over. PokerStars Iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker Starts This Sunday appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.