Six startups to compete at SiGMA Asia Pitch 2025 in Manila as iGaming innovation takes center stage

The SiGMA Asia summit will return to the Philippines in 2025 with a renewed focus on early-stage innovation, as six startups prepare to compete in the highly anticipated SiGMA Asia Pitch. Scheduled for June 3 at 15:15 on the SiGMA Stage at the SMX Convention Center in Manila, the competition will serve as a platform for founders to pitch their solutions to a panel of seasoned industry leaders and global investors.

Trudy Kerr will serve as host of the event, which offers participants the opportunity to secure visibility, mentorship, and investor backing. Startups will compete for a wide array of support packages that include marketing, cloud infrastructure, recruitment, branding, and blockchain-focused growth resources.

This year’s judging panel features a diverse group of experts, including Carla Maree Vella, CEO of Neatplay; Oliver De Bono, CEO of Quantum Gaming; Joe Pisano, CEO of Jade Entertainment Technology; Eoin Kirwan, Founding Partner of Ionic Group; and Dan Ciobanu, CEO of Remote2All. The panel brings together extensive experience across gaming technology, venture capital, esports, fintech, and remote innovation.

The six finalists represent a cross-section of the global gaming industry, from esports wagering to AI-powered back-end platforms. Among them is OneZero (USA), an esports betting startup where users place real-time wagers on their in-game performance, using AI for achievement verification.

Germany’s SavageTech GmbH delivers gamified engagement through avatar-based adventures for sportsbooks and casinos. Meanwhile, Singapore-Philippines-based LIKED connects iGaming operators with local influencers through a zero-upfront, performance-based affiliate model tailored to the Philippine market.

Also competing is UK-based Deuce, a VR/XR casino platform focused on immersive gaming environments for Asian audiences. For its part, Fabulous Gaming, headquartered in the Union of Comoros, offers a comprehensive iGaming ecosystem with a focus on crypto casinos and game aggregation.

Lastly, India’s TECPINION provides AI-driven gaming infrastructure and player account management solutions, aiming to support both B2B and B2C operators with scalable tools and deep analytics.

Prize packages include over €400,000 ($453,309) worth of technology infrastructure and cloud credits, including from Nvidia, DigitalOcean, Notion, and DocSend, aimed at supporting advanced scaling efforts.

Other awards include the €21,300 ($24,138) Startup Marketing Package, a €100,000 ($113,327) Blockchain Growth Package via ZBX, and industry-specific education and talent acquisition packages, offering recipients hands-on support for branding, recruitment, and regulatory compliance.