SBC Summit Americas partners with BettingStartups to expand startup focus

SBC Summit Americas has teamed up with BettingStartups to strengthen its support for early-stage companies, with a focus on helping founders connect with investors and bringing ideas to the forefront of the Americas market.

As part of the strategic partnership, BettingStartups will take on the role of the official host of the Startup Zone at SBC Summit Americas 2026. The space will feature 13 exhibition booths and a dedicated lounge, giving startups a presence on the show floor and direct access to key decision-makers, with 51% of last year's attendees holding budget responsibility.

Operating in the early-stage gaming ecosystem, BettingStartups supports founders through its media platform, podcast, newsletter, events, and investment arm. By tapping into this network, the partnership will bring a selection of startups to the event, giving attendees the chance to discover and engage with them.

A central highlight of the Startup Zone programming will be the First Pitch Americas Competition, taking place on Thursday, 11 June (14:00 – 14:40) on the Leaders Stage. Hosted by BettingStartups founder Jesse Learmonth, the competition will see five standout startups pitch live to a panel of leading investors and executives.

Participants will compete for a grand prize package valued at $108,900, designed to accelerate their growth and industry visibility. The prize includes a 3x3m exhibition booth at SBC Summit Americas 2027, alongside additional contributions from Are You Watching This?!, MetaBet, AWS, GameOn, Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC, Square in the Air, and Vegas Kings.

The judging panel includes:

• Paris Smith, Founder and CEO, Defy the Odds
• Javier Altamirano, Global Head of Startup, Sportradar
• Evan Meyer, Managing Partner, Astralus Capital Management
• Scott Secord, Partner, Cardinal Sports Capital
• Meredith McPherson, CEO and Managing Partner, DRIVE by DraftKings

The 2025 edition saw B2B social sports betting software provider Wager Games take home the top prize.

Complementing the competition, attendees will also benefit from dedicated educational content, including the Fundraising 101: Win Your First Round workshop, taking place on Thursday, 11 June (11:00-12:00). Led by Shaun Gold, Chief Evangelist at OpenVC, the session will provide founders with a practical roadmap to securing early-stage investment.

The partnership is designed to position SBC Summit Americas as a "must-attend" event for startups, investors, and operators active in the region. By combining SBC's global reach with BettingStartups' specialised ecosystem, the collaboration aims to attract high-potential companies, generate pre-event momentum, and deliver startup-focused content.

Through curated participation, targeted marketing campaigns, and dedicated programming, BettingStartups will also support delegate growth, with a goal of driving new registrations from its engaged community.

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, said: "This partnership strengthens our commitment to innovation and to supporting the next generation of companies shaping the future of gaming in the Americas. 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."

Jesse Learmonth, Founder of BettingStartups, added: "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. 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."