SBC has announced the five start-ups selected to compete in the 2025 edition of First Pitch, an initiative presented by Soft2Bet Invest and supported by Xanada Investments.
A staple of SBC Events, the contest shines a spotlight on emerging companies with investor-ready projects, giving them the opportunity to impress a panel of independent industry experts.
The finalists will go head-to-head on Thursday, September 18, on the Technology Stage at SBC Summit, where they will pitch their vision for a chance to win a prize package worth over €90,000 to accelerate their growth.
This year’s five finalists are:
- AIstats: A live football scores app powered by AI, offering predictions, real-time updates, and data-driven insights.
- Betpass: A company redefining how iGaming operators work with affiliates, using smart technology to connect, monitor, and scale partnerships from start to finish.
- ChatBet: An AI-driven platform that allows users to place bets directly via WhatsApp or Telegram, without needing to visit a website or app.
- LiveDuel: A live sports prediction platform where fans make real-time picks during matches. Using blockchain, it connects global prize pools and enables creators to build communities and share rewards.
- Nandemo Draft Co.: A social sports prediction and fantasy sports service that helps international betting partners enter the Japanese market.
The judging panel will feature industry experts including Martin Collins (Chief Business Development Officer, Soft2Bet), Lloyd Danzig (Managing Partner, Sharp Alpha), Dee Maher (La Royale Group), Mark Phillip (CEO, Metabet), and Andrew Reader (Partner, Velo Capital Partners). The competition will be hosted by Jesse Learmonth, founder of The Betting Startups Podcast.
Speaking about the competition, Martin Collins said:
“SBC First Pitch is an exceptional platform to spotlight the next generation of innovators who are transforming the future of betting, gaming, and entertainment. At Soft2Bet Invest, we are committed to supporting bold founders with disruptive ideas and scalable vision. This competition is about more than just capital—it’s about strategic partnership, expert product support, and the backing needed to take the winning company to its next stage of growth.”
The winner will receive a prize package valued at more than €90,000, including:
- Are You Watching This? – One year of API access to sports data and betting insights from MetaBet, worth €42,000.
- SBC Events – A 3x3m booth, sponsorship mention, and four passes to SBC Summit 2026, worth €15,000.
- SBC Media – Six months of advertising across industry media, newsletter placements, and two editorial features, worth €11,000.
- AWS – €10,000 in AWS credits to support technological development.
- Square in the Air – One month of bespoke brand design support, worth €9,500.
- Vegas Kings – An exclusive website redesign, worth €3,000.
- Game On – Drafting and distribution of two press releases, an interview with a U.S. trade publication, a video interview for social media, and newsletter coverage, worth €2,700.
Attendees will be able to watch the First Pitch competition on Thursday, September 18, from 15:00 to 16:00, at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL).
