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SBC Summit Americas has formed a strategic partnership with BettingStartups to bolster its focus on early-stage companies within the Americas iGaming sector. The collaboration is designed to facilitate connections between founders and investors, while promoting innovation and growth in the region.
Under the partnership, BettingStartups will act as the official host of the Startup Zone at SBC Summit Americas 2026. This dedicated space will include 13 exhibition booths and a lounge, offering startups a prime location to engage with key industry decision-makers. Notably, 51% of last year’s attendees held budget responsibility, highlighting the zone’s potential impact.
BettingStartups, recognized for its support of early-stage companies through media, events, and investment initiatives, will curate a selection of high-potential startups for the event. This partnership aims to attract innovative companies and create pre-event buzz.
A major attraction of the Startup Zone will be the First Pitch Americas Competition, hosted by Jesse Learmonth, founder of BettingStartups. Scheduled for Thursday, 11 June (14:00 – 14:40), the competition will feature five standout startups pitching to a panel of investors and executives. The winning startup will receive a grand prize package valued at $108,900, including a booth at SBC Summit Americas 2027 and contributions from partners like Are You Watching This?!, MetaBet, and AWS.
The judging panel comprises industry leaders, including Paris Smith of Defy the Odds, Javier Altamirano from Sportradar, Evan Meyer of Astralus Capital Management, Scott Secord from Cardinal Sports Capital, and Meredith McPherson of DRIVE by DraftKings.
Applications for the competition are open until 17 April, with finalists notified by 4 May. Last year’s winner, Wager Games, a B2B social sports betting software provider, secured the top prize.
Attendees will also have access to the “Fundraising 101: Win Your First Round” workshop, led by Shaun Gold, Chief Evangelist at OpenVC. This session will provide founders with actionable strategies for securing early-stage investment.
“This partnership strengthens our commitment to innovation and to supporting the next generation of companies shaping the future of gaming in the Americas,” said Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC. “BettingStartups brings a highly engaged community and deep understanding of the startup ecosystem, which will elevate both the quality of exhibitors and the overall experience for attendees.”
“SBC Summit Americas is a key meeting point for the industry in the region, and we’re excited to play a central role in building out its startup offering,” added Jesse Learmonth, Founder of BettingStartups. “Our focus is on bringing the most exciting early-stage companies to the event and giving founders a platform to be seen, heard, and funded.”
SBC Summit Americas will be held from June 9-11 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale. The event introduces new features, including the SBC Connections networking program and a five-tier ticketing system, tailored to attendees’ business priorities.
