Latest News
Five Startup Finalists Announced For The Second Edition of SBC First Pitch Barcelona
Five innovative industry start-ups have been selected as finalists for the second edition of SBC First Pitch Barcelona at this month’s SBC Summit Barcelona. The finalists will compete for an exclusive prize package valued at over €60,000, to aid in the growth and development of the winning company.
The competition, powered by Yolo Investments, will serve as a platform for the five aspiring companies to present their products and business plans in front of a live audience of industry leaders. The winner will be chosen by a judging panel consisting of venture capital and investment experts.
The First Pitch Competition will be hosted at the Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc, on Wednesday 20th September, and will feature as part of the ‘Future of Technology’ conference track.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, said: “As event organizers, we believe that SBC First Pitch Barcelona occupies a central role in facilitating innovation in the industry. Competitions like this serve as a platform for emerging talents to showcase their groundbreaking products and services, whilst also gaining invaluable experience presenting in a public space and networking with industry elite.”
“SBC First Pitch is essentially about innovation meeting opportunity, ultimately encouraging the industry to grow, welcome new ways of thinking and foster an environment that nurtures innovation and collaboration.”
The five finalists of the SBC First Pitch Barcelona are:
- We are the Bookie: an online B2C sports betting platform with a 50% monthly Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) rebate for losing customers.
- Rdentify: a platform that identifies vulnerable customers during customer conversations in real-time and flags them to the safer gambling team and triggers customisable interventions as soon as behavioural risk has been flagged
- Snap Screen: Leveraging the user’s mobile camera to recognise live events on TV and streaming, Snap Screen is akin to a ‘Shazam for sports betting,’ allowing operators and affiliates to integrate SnapOdds into their websites.
- SQR Group: simplifies compliance and reduces fraud by enabling seamless identity verification without storing sensitive documents, using Secure QR Code® technology.
- Sport Exchange Market: a web app platform where fans can trade virtual shares of football teams, experiencing the same adrenaline as when they are betting or playing fantasy sports games
The First Pitch competition will be hosted by Anton Kaszubowski, (Managing Director, SBC Advisory Partners) and feature a star-studded judging panel of industry experts. The panel consists of Adam Rosenberg (Senior Advisor, Gaming & Leisure. Blackstone), Evert Einroos (Partner, Yolo Investments), Peter Heneghen (Senior Associate, Bettor Capital), Hilary Stewart-Jones (Independent Consultant, Harris Hagan) and Claudia de la Riva (Angel Investor, Various), who will each cast their vote to determine the winner.
The winning start-up will receive a prize package comprised of:
- A two-day workshop trip to Tallinn with Yolo Investments Founder Tim Heath, including flights, hotel, and covered expenses – valued at €25,000.
- An SBC Media promotional package including a magazine ad in SBC Leaders Magazine, two featured editorials promoting the business and a guest appearance on the iGaming Daily Podcast – valued at €7,000.
- A prize pack from Receptional, in which a dedicated team will collaborate with the winning company to provide a tailored digital marketing package – valued at €10,000.
- A Square in the Air press pack that includes a corporate video filmed on-site at the event, two press releases distributed on the Square in the Air social channels, a free social media audit, competitor analysis and a strategy guide to help build the company’s profile – valued at £5,000.
- An exclusive brand or web design package from Vegas Kings, the leading iGaming design and development agency – valued at €2,500.
- A 3x3m booth, including a turnkey standbuild, sponsorship mention, and 4 complimentary tickets for the SBC Summit 2024 – Valued at €15,000.
Last year’s edition of SBC First Pitch Barcelona saw Kero Gaming, an in-game micro-betting and interactive social platform, crowned the winner. Paradox, a parimutuel betting protocol where all the commission charged is distributed proportionally to the people who bet before you, was the runner-up.
Latest News
LEONBET Shares a New Campaign with Tanzanian Ambassador Simon Msuva
With the release of a dynamic promotional video starring its ambassador, Simon Msuva, LEONBET continues a new chapter in its partnership with the Tanzanian national team forward.
Filmed in Tanzania, the campaign captures the energy of local football culture and highlights Msuva’s personality both on and off the pitch. One of the key moments of the video features the famous “Msuva Flip”- the player’s signature goal celebration, a backflip that fans immediately recognise whenever he scores.
The video is fast-paced and vibrant, reflecting the passion of Tanzanian football fans.The campaign also features Baraka Mpenja, a well-known sports commentator and voice of Tanzanian football, who brings additional authenticity and connection to the local audience.
Simon Msuva is known not only for his performances on the field but also for his strong charisma. According to the production team, he quickly immersed himself in the filming process and brought the same vibrant energy and character that fans associate with his game.
During the recent season, Msuva has scored several memorable goals that drew attention from fans and sports media alike. That excitement and emotion became the foundation for the new campaign.
“This campaign is part of our broader strategy to get closer to sports fans and build a stronger emotional connection with our audience. Working with talents like Simon Msuva allows us to speak the same language as the fans and be present where their passion is.” said Jérôme J. D., Regional Director of Operations.
The video continues the collaboration between LEONBET and Tanzanian national team captain Simon Msuva and supports the brand’s ongoing engagement with football fans in Tanzania.
Affiliate Succes
Gamblers Connect Marks Its Fifth Anniversary
Gamblers Connect, the acclaimed iGaming media and affiliate platform, is marking its fifth anniversary and currently ranks as one of the most prominent affiliate media brands in the iGaming sector.
Gamblers Connect was established with a distinct purpose: to create a transparent, player-centric platform. What started as a simple idea rapidly transformed into something much more important. In its inaugural year, the company had already obtained its initial industry accolade. Since that time, Gamblers Connect has kept broadening its services by introducing new sections, tools, and features, while consistently achieving significant milestones and enhancing its visibility at prominent industry events, conferences, and speaking engagements.
The launch of the Responsible Gambling Index enhanced the platform’s offerings, serving as a unique assessment tool that has become a key aspect, encompassing both game providers and casino operators.
This advancement has been evident in industry accolades, featuring several awards and nominations at major events, such as Casino Affiliate of the Year, News Affiliate of the Year, Crypto Affiliate of the Year, and Best Affiliate of the Year.
In the last five years, Gamblers Connect has transformed past the conventional affiliate framework. The platform currently functions as a comprehensive iGaming media brand, generating a wide variety of editorial content, industry news, interviews, and B2B-related coverage, catering to both players and industry stakeholders.
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: “2026 marks not just an anniversary, but a clear step forward. The launch of the GC Contributors Program, the introduction of the iHub, and an entirely new platform currently in development signal where Gamblers Connect is headed — deeper into the industry, more ambitious in scope, and built for what the next five years demand.”
The post Gamblers Connect Marks Its Fifth Anniversary appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Highlight Games
HIGHLIGHT GAMES EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH STANLEYBET GROUP
London-based video virtuals and instant win games specialist Highlight Games Limited today announces that it has extended and expanded its partnership with the Stanleybet Group, one of Europe’s most established betting operators.
In addition to its longstanding online content agreement, the expanded deal will include the deployment of Highlight’s premium video virtual sports portfolio to Stanleybet’s retail estate for the first time. Content will include Highlight’s flagship SOCCERBET games, featuring genuine archive footage from some of the biggest football leagues in the world.
Steven Holmes, CEO, Highlight Games said: “I’m delighted to extend and broaden our partnership with the Stanleybet Group, which shows a clear endorsement of the strength of our content and the trust Stanleybet places in our products. We look forward to bringing our award-winning video virtuals to an even wider audience.”
Nicola Allinson, IT Director, Stanleybet Group added: “Our partnership with Highlight Games continues to go from strength to strength, and this retail expansion is a testament to the quality of their content and the level of engagement it inspires in players. We are confident that Highlight’s products will perform as strongly in our European retail venues as they have online, and we look forward to continuing to work together.”
The post HIGHLIGHT GAMES EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH STANLEYBET GROUP appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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