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Five Startup Finalists Announced For The Second Edition of SBC First Pitch Barcelona

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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.

Diego Van Meerbeke

Diego Van Meerbeke Named Commercial Director at InsightPlay.ai

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InsightPlay.ai has named Diego Van Meerbeke as Commercial Director as the firm speeds up its growth in Latin America and important regulated markets.

InsightPlay.ai is an AI-driven engagement platform that assists businesses in handling real-time customer interactions on a large scale, with significant momentum in the iGaming sector.

Van Meerbeke arrives from Better Collective, where he spearheaded commercial initiatives in Spanish-speaking LATAM, collaborating closely with operators and boosting revenue in a highly competitive affiliate landscape. He has held positions at The Walt Disney Company and ESPN, developing a solid foundation in media sales and collaborations.

His appointment coincides with InsightPlay’s transition from initial traction to commercial scale after its recent seed funding and implementation of AI-powered engagement solutions in various markets.

“Diego understands how this industry actually works, from both the media and operator side,” said Javier Troncoso, CEO of InsightPlay.ai. “We’re building the layer that manages real-time interaction between brands and their customers.”

InsightPlay’s platform allows operators to connect with users through voice, messaging, and digital channels, managing thousands of interactions each day and creating significant effects in reactivation, onboarding, and retention.

Although the company’s early expansion has been fueled by iGaming, the existing framework is currently being investigated in various sectors where immediate customer engagement directly influences earnings.

Most of the industry is still focused on acquisition,” said Diego Van Meerbeke. “The real opportunity is what happens after that.”

The post Diego Van Meerbeke Named Commercial Director at InsightPlay.ai appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Alea

Alea Returns to SiGMA South America as Brazil’s iGaming Market Enters a More Demanding Stage

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Alea, the leading aggregator with the largest portfolio of certified games in Brazil, is returning to SiGMA South America 2026, held from April 7–10 in São Paulo, as the country’s regulated landscape continues to settle into a more structured and competitive phase.

After the initial excitement of market entry, operators are now focusing on the everyday realities of running in a formalized environment: keeping systems stable, ensuring games and platforms are certified, and meeting the expectations of a maturing player base. The conversation has shifted from launch milestones toward long-term growth and sustainable operations.

Alea CEO Jordi Sendra is attending the event alongside teams from partnerships, account management, business development, and marketing. The group will be based at Booth N145 throughout the week, meeting with operators and studios to discuss ongoing projects and the practical challenges they are facing in Brazil.

Bridging the Gap: The Future of Land-Based and Digital Gaming

On Wednesday, 8 April at 12:45, Jordi Sendra will join the panel “Physical or Digital? Between Boundaries and Convergences in the Casino Industry.” Alongside representatives from ANCASSINOS, Sportradar, Zitro Digital, Amusnet, and Maia Yoshiyasu Advogados, the session explores how operators can stay competitive as the lines between land-based and online gaming continue to blur.

Oxygen Bar and Award Recognition

Alea will once again host its signature oxygen bar on the exhibition floor, offering a space to recharge and have focused conversations. The event also marks a milestone for the company, as Alea is shortlisted for Best Aggregator at the SiGMA South America Awards on 6 April.

“Being nominated in Brazil this year carries a lot of weight for us,” says Jordi Sendra. “The market has raised the bar for everyone. It’s pushed us to be more disciplined, more present, and more focused on what the local player actually needs. For our team, this is a great recognition of the miles we’ve put in on the ground and the relationships we’ve built with our partners across the region.”

Supporting Growth in a Maturing Landscape

Between the panel session and the meetings at the booth, the week is centered on providing the practical guidance and technical support that operators now need to grow with confidence. As the aggregator with the largest portfolio of certified games and game providers in the territory, Alea’s focus remains on helping its partners navigate the complexities of a more structured environment, ensuring both studios and operators stay competitive as the landscape continues to mature.

The post Alea Returns to SiGMA South America as Brazil’s iGaming Market Enters a More Demanding Stage appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Diamond King Gorilla

R. Franco Digital claims the jungle crown with Diamond King Gorilla

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R. Franco Digital, the Spanish iGaming provider, has launched its latest high-energy slot, Diamond King Gorilla, taking players deep into the jungle for a thrilling adventure.

This 5×3, 243-ways-to-win slot features a sophisticated collect mechanic and progressive multiplier system designed for big rewards. Players can trigger the Free Spins round by landing three or more Scatter symbols, where the Wild symbol collects values from Direct Prize and Special Prize symbols.

The Level Indicator enhances the action by tracking every Wild, awarding extra spins and increasing multipliers at key milestones. For those seeking immediate excitement, a direct purchase option lets players jump straight into the bonus round.

Certified for eight regulated markets, including Spain and Portugal, Diamond King Gorilla also offers four jackpots — Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand, which pays up to 1000x the stake.

Javier Sacristán Franco, International Business Director at R. Franco Digital, said:
“With Diamond King Gorilla, we’ve focused on creating a high-velocity experience where every Wild symbol carries the potential for a massive payout. It captures the raw energy of the jungle while providing the sophisticated features our partners and players expect.”

With its fast-paced mechanics, multiplier-driven gameplay, and jackpot potential, Diamond King Gorilla delivers an immersive jungle adventure with every spin.

The post R. Franco Digital claims the jungle crown with Diamond King Gorilla appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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