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Xanada Pitch Contest Closes with $50K Winner, Public Choice Winner, 100+ Startups involved, and Global Founder Momentum

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At this year’s NEXT Summit in Valletta, the Xanada Pitch Contest — one of the most talked-about investment events in the industry — reached its finale.

Organized by Xanada Investments, the contest brought together startups, investors, and business leaders for a high-stakes pitch competition that reflects the fund’s mission: to support bold founders building the future.

The finalists — Sweepium, Jurnii, MoneyPools, BetRaze, and StatsDrone — delivered top-tier performances during a high-stakes pitch battle on May 8 in Valetta. Each had undergone an in-depth selection process and an on-stage rehearsal that resulted in one of the highest-quality showcases the industry has seen, judged by:

  • Vladimir Malakchi (CEO & Managing Partner at Xanada Investments)
  • Pierre Lindh (Co-founder & Managing Director at NEXT.io)
  • Dmitry Belianin (CEO & Founder at Belianin)
  • Justin Paul Anastasi (CEO at VentureMax)

For many, the contest’s impact extended beyond the stage:

“The Xanada pitch contest provided our start-up with a platform to not only showcase our business to the four judges, but to the whole industry. Our pitch led to a number of concrete opportunities from investors, advisors and potential clients. It was a huge and rare opportunity to stand side by side on the biggest stage with the best of the industry”.

Fraser Dunk, CEO at Jurnii

“The Xanada Pitch Contest did everything we hoped for and more when it comes to getting investor intros. Not only did we get the attention, the interest from investors is stronger than without. Even for investors knowing we were pitching has opened doors. This event will be a pivotal moment in our growth and journey of our company. We are forever grateful to Xanada Investments and Vladimir Malakchi for putting this together to make our lives easier”.

John Wright, CEO & Co-Founder at StatsDrone

“I was really impressed with the great organisation of the event and the kindness of the team. It is important to give start-ups the stage to present their ideas and get feedback, no matter the stage. That’s exactly what we’ve received. I made so many valuable connections at the event and was contacted by interesting people afterwards. I really loved the experience, and I’m looking for more contests from Xanada Investments.”

Idir Alane, CEO at MoneyPools

The Winners

The Xanada Pitch Contest ended with two standout winners — each recognized for different strengths.

The Grand Winner was selected by a panel of expert judges, who scored each finalist across five key criteria: Idea, Business Model, Team, Market Potential, and Progress & Traction.

Meanwhile, the Public Choice Award was determined by a two-week online vote, drawing over 500 unique submissions from supporters and community members.

Sweepium, a B2B platform and game aggregator aiming to transform the sweepstakes space, took the top spot — earning the $50,000 equity investment and securing a strategic partnership with Xanada Investments.

Jurnii, a UX-focused agency powered by proprietary AI tools that deliver automated insights and design recommendations, won over the public and claimed the Public Choice Award. As part of the prize, they gained access to exclusive partner offerings from NEXT.io, Lilith PR Agency, 15M Mastery, and AffPapa — support designed to help propel their next stage of growth.

“We built Xanada Investments to be the kind of fund we wished existed when we were founders,” said Vladimir Malakchi, CEO & Managing Partner at Xanada Investments.

“This contest is just the beginning. We’re actively looking to back exceptional founders across the iGaming space — and provide them with the resources, network, and capital they need to reach their full potential. If you’ve got a product with traction, a strong team, and a scalable vision — we want to hear from you.”

 

Xanada Is Looking for What’s Next

The contest may be over — but opportunities with Xanada Investments are wide open. The fund continues to review early-stage startups for investment and long-term partnership.

If you’re building or scaling in iGaming, you can still pitch your ventures directly — beyond the contest — by reaching out at [email protected].

Under Xanada’s model, startups get more than just funding — they get active partners, access to a trusted network, and a fast-moving approach to growth.

The post Xanada Pitch Contest Closes with $50K Winner, Public Choice Winner, 100+ Startups involved, and Global Founder Momentum appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Jani Kontturi Head of Games at SkillOnNet

SkillOnNet and Playtech Strengthen Ties Through Multi-Market Games Expansion

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Playtech’s casino and bingo offerings launch in various regulated markets.

SkillOnNet and Playtech have solidified their enduring collaboration with a multi-national launch of Playtech’s top-tier casino and bingo offerings.

The global entertainment brand SkillOnNet has successfully incorporated and unveiled the extensive game collection of the software giant in Portugal and Brazil, with Greece expected to go live soon. A launch in Peru is anticipated shortly as well.

Simultaneously, SkillOnNet has introduced Playtech Bingo through its well-known PlayOJO Bingo brand. Playtech’s advanced iBingo platform is renowned as one of the industry’s most robust and scalable options, providing shared network liquidity, improved player engagement features, and a comprehensive range of bingo variations and progressive jackpots.

The contract encompasses a range of customized, market-oriented marketing initiatives in each region, aimed at showcasing Playtech’s top-rated and most well-known games on SkillOnNet’s premier, TV-promoted brands, including PlayOJO, PlayUZU, and BacanaPlay.

The campaigns aim to boost player acquisition and engagement while enhancing the visibility of Playtech’s leading games in every regulated market. The agreement strengthens the already strong relationship between the two firms, highlighting their mutual emphasis on regulated expansion, high-quality player experiences, and sustainable market growth.

Jani Kontturi, Head of Games at SkillOnNet said: “Portugal, Brazil, Greece and Peru are all strategically important markets for SkillOnNet, and working with Playtech allows us to deliver premium content that resonates with local players while meeting each market’s regulatory requirements.”

Marat Koss, Chief Interactive Gaming Officer at Playtech, commented: “We’re excited to expand our longstanding collaboration with SkillOnNet into new markets and bring our next-gen iBingo platform to new players. The multi-market launch serves as both a strong testament to the quality of our technology and the trust placed in our long-term Bingo strategy. We look forward to continued shared success with a valued partner.”

The post SkillOnNet and Playtech Strengthen Ties Through Multi-Market Games Expansion appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Adam Miles Director of Sales DEGEN Studios

Why the Slot Market Needs to Move Beyond the ‘Safe Middle’

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Check out our latest Q&A w/ Adam Miles, Director of Sales, DEGEN Studios

You’ve joined DEGEN as Director of Sales at a key moment for the studio. What drew you to the role?

DEGEN has a very defined identity. It’s not trying to sit in the safe middle of the market, and it’s not trying to be everything to everyone. The games are high-volatility, identity-led and built with a specific player in mind. That makes the commercial proposition much stronger.

In a saturated industry, differentiation isn’t optional. Operators don’t need more generic content. They need studios that understand their audience and can deliver something with character and intent. DEGEN already had that direction, which made the opportunity compelling.

DEGEN positions itself as bold and disruptive. Does that make the sales conversation easier or more challenging?

It makes it clearer. When you have a defined identity, you’re not trying to convince every operator. You’re engaging with those who understand the value of differentiated content and who have player segments that respond to high-volatility, high-impact experiences.

Safe content will always have a place. But there is a significant audience looking for something more intense, more distinctive. Our job commercially is to ensure DEGEN’s portfolio is positioned where it will resonate most.

Transparency around who you are simplifies the conversation, shifting the focus from volume to value.

What are your immediate priorities in the role?

First, strengthening global distribution in a targeted way. It’s not about placing the portfolio everywhere. It’s about aligning with operators and aggregators who understand our positioning and can give the games the right context in their lobbies.

Second, deepening partnerships. We want operators to see DEGEN as a studio with a defined role in their content mix, particularly for high-volatility segments.

Internally, it’s also about feedback. Sales shouldn’t operate in isolation. Performance data, operator insight and market trends need to feed back into roadmap discussions. That loop between commercial and creative teams is essential if you want consistent growth.

DEGEN recently launched the DEGEN Powered initiative. How does that fit into your commercial strategy?

DEGEN Powered expands the conversation beyond individual releases. By partnering with studios like Spin Lab, who share a similar philosophy around player-first, identity-led design, we’re building a broader ecosystem.

It’s not a funding model or a traditional publishing structure; it is a strategic alignment. The studios maintain independence, but the DEGEN Powered banner signals shared values and a commitment to high-impact gameplay.

Commercially, that adds depth. It shows consistency in approach and reinforces the idea that this isn’t a one-off tone, it’s a growing segment of the market.

In such a competitive market, what gives DEGEN a genuine edge?

Most studios will aim for the broadest possible appeal, for DEGEN it’s about audience focus and being intentional. The portfolio is built around clearly defined player behaviours, particularly those who engage with higher volatility and stronger thematic identity.

When you understand who the game is for, your commercial message becomes sharper. Instead of promising universal appeal, you can demonstrate defined appeal backed by performance logic.

Operators are increasingly data-driven. They segment their player bases carefully. When a studio understands that segmentation and builds accordingly, the commercial discussion becomes more credible.

As your role develops, what does success look like for you?

Success is about expanding the brand sustainably. That means entering key markets with the right partners, strengthening our global footprint and ensuring the portfolio performs consistently across different territories.

It’s also about reputation. I want DEGEN to be recognised not just as a creative studio with attitude, but as a reliable commercial partner. A studio that delivers differentiated content and backs it with structured, strategic growth.

If operators associate DEGEN with bold, high-volatility experiences that perform for specific segments, and they trust us to support that with strong partnerships and execution, then we’re on the right path.

Ultimately for me, the role is about scaling the commercial side of the business while protecting what makes DEGEN different.

The post Why the Slot Market Needs to Move Beyond the ‘Safe Middle’ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Affiliate Succes

Affilka and Gamblers Connect announce media partnership

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Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming media and affiliate platform, has announced an official partnership with Affilka, one of the industry’s most trusted affiliate management platforms.

Affilka powers the software behind some of the best-run operator programs in iGaming, offering near real-time tracking and automated reporting that help affiliates and operators operate efficiently and transparently.

Throughout 2026, the two companies will collaborate on a range of initiatives, including data-driven content and localized market insights, with the shared goal of helping players make informed decisions while supporting operators in building sustainable and trustworthy affiliate relationships.

Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said:

“Our partnership ensures that operators running on Affilka’s platform are recognised across our network for meeting higher operational standards. Prompt payouts, fair tracking, and robust anti-fraud measures aren’t optional extras — they are the baseline we expect from any brand we recommend to our community.”

The post Affilka and Gamblers Connect announce media partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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