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Sharp Alpha Closes Fund II With Over $25 Million To Back Sports, Gaming, Entertainment Startups
Sharp Alpha Advisors announced the closing of Sharp Alpha Fund II, an oversubscribed $25 million venture capital fund investing in early-stage sports, gaming, and entertainment businesses.
Existing investments in Fund II include C15 Studio, which recently emerged from stealth mode as the operator and distributor of Formula 1’s new streaming channel. Previous investments include Almost Friday Media, Jackpot.com, and Betcha (acquired by Vivid Seats).
The fund targets seed investments ranging from $1 – 2 million. Sharp Alpha also operates a co-investment vehicle that provides limited partners the ability to invest additional capital in select deals alongside the fund.
Managing Partner Lloyd Danzig was recently named to Business Insider’s Top Venture Capitalists in Sports and ELG’s 40 Under 40. He is frequently featured by CNBC, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.
The fund is backed by public companies, US fnancial institutions, pro sports team owners, family offces, top venture capitalists, and funds of funds, among others.
According to Danzig, there is a signifcant opportunity at the intersection of sports, gaming, media, and technology. “The competitive entertainment category is experiencing exponential growth but at the same time is desperate for innovation that early-stage companies are best positioned to supply.”
The fund has exceeded its $25 million capital raise target and expanded the size of its deal team.
Commenting on current market conditions, Danzig explained, “we are entering the most favorable period in the last 15 years to bet on great founders.”
Sharp Alpha’s advisory board includes Keith Horn, founder of Loring Capital Advisors and former COO of Elliott Management and Global Head of Leveraged Finance at Merrill Lynch; Emanuel Pearlman, the former Chairman of Empire Resorts and board member at several public companies; Daniel Bernard, Founder and Chairman of Redwood International Sports; Roy Behren, the President and Chief Investment Offcer of a $5.2 billion asset manager; and Don Kornstein, the Vice Chairman of Caesars Entertainment and former executive at numerous successful gaming companies.
In addition to investment capital, the frm provides portfolio companies with a suite of resources and opportunities spanning fundraising, revenue generation, brand awareness, commercial strategy, fnancial planning, and product development.
Alistair Johnston CCO at Push Gaming
Push Gaming appoints Jonathan Moretta as Head of Account Management
The iGaming supplier says the hire supports its partnership strategy and 2026 commercial plans.
Push Gaming has appointed Jonathan Moretta as Head of Account Management as it continues to refine its partnership strategy.
The supplier said Moretta brings more than six years’ experience in the iGaming sector, with a track record of managing partnerships across “key global markets.” The company positioned the appointment as part of its strategic goals for 2026, alongside planned expansion of its commercial and operational infrastructure.
Jonathan Moretta, Head of Account Management at Push Gaming, said: “Push Gaming works with a number of quality partners and I can’t wait to continue solidifying those key relationships. The quality of Push Gaming’s products are undeniable and my goal will be to ensure that this quality is reflected in how we communicate with our key accounts; whether that be highlighting existing favourites or presenting new titles from our upcoming roadmap.”
Alistair Johnston, CCO at Push Gaming, added: ”I am thrilled to welcome Jonathan to the team. He will be instrumental in delivering Push Gaming’s commercial strategy, leading from the front with a proven leadership style. Jonathan brings a transcontinental network of key industry players, underpinned by a rare talent for building the kind of great relationships that skyrocket growth.”
The post Push Gaming appoints Jonathan Moretta as Head of Account Management appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
brand-marketing
Midnite runs free coaches for Southampton fans to FA Cup semi-final at Wembley
Midnite is bringing back its “Midnite Express” fan travel initiative, offering free coach transport for Southampton supporters to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City on Saturday, April 25.
The betting brand said three luxury coaches will take more than 100 fans on the round trip from St Mary’s Stadium to Wembley. The company positioned the move as a response to fan requests on social media following Southampton’s FA Cup win over Arsenal.
The trip also coincides with the 50th anniversary of Southampton’s 1976 FA Cup win at Wembley. Midnite said it recently marked that moment with a dedicated TIFO during Southampton’s match with Arsenal, created with a fan-led TIFO committee.
Fans travelling on the coaches will be joined by former Southampton players Shane Long, Franny Benali and Ken Monkou, according to the company.
Andrew Mook, Head of Brand Marketing at Midnite, said: “The response to the Midnite Express this season has been incredible and when fans asked for it to return, we were keen to deliver.
“Supporting Saints fans is central to what we do, whether that is easing the challenges around travel or helping create memorable experiences around the game.
“This is a huge moment for Southampton, especially in such an important anniversary year, and we are proud to help fans get there to support their team.
“We hope this journey will make the match day experience even better.”
The post Midnite runs free coaches for Southampton fans to FA Cup semi-final at Wembley appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
CRM
The Mill Adventure deepens Optimove integration for player engagement
The Mill Adventure (TMA) has strengthened its integration with Optimove to expand player engagement and CRM capabilities for iGaming operators, the companies said.
TMA said the enhanced integration adds deeper audience segmentation, including Optimove’s Target Group Discovery, to help operators build granular player profiles and activate engagement based on player behaviour and preferences.
The update also connects Optimove directly to TMA’s proprietary bonus engine, which TMA said allows operators to trigger and distribute personalised rewards within CRM journeys. Messaging can be orchestrated through Optimove across email, SMS, web and mobile push notifications, as well as inbox messaging.
Bjørnar Heggernes, CCO at The Mill Adventure, said: “We are focused on equipping operators with the right tools they need to deliver meaningful, data-driven engagement at scale. This enhanced integration with Optimove strengthens our ability to support highly personalised player journeys, combining powerful segmentation, real-time communication and seamless reward execution within a unified platform.
“By bringing these capabilities together, we are helping our partners simplify their operations while delivering richer, more relevant experiences that drive long-term value.”
Adi Dagan, Senior Director of Partnership at Optimove, said: “The Mill Adventure’s iGaming operators benefit from its scalable and automated tools for optimising their casino suite. With this integration, The Mill Adventure operators can use real-time data, advanced segmentation and multichannel orchestration to deliver more relevant player experiences and act on them faster.
“Our partnership with The Mill Adventure represents a significant step forward in enabling operators to execute smarter, more effective CRM strategies. We are excited to support TMA’s continued growth as they empower operators to build deeper, more meaningful relationships with their players.”
The post The Mill Adventure deepens Optimove integration for player engagement appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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