SBC Summit Americas has teamed up with BettingStartups to strengthen its support for early-stage companies, with a clear focus on helping founders connect with investors and bringing fresh ideas to the forefront of the Americas market.
As part of the strategic partnership, BettingStartups will take on the role of the official host oftheStartup Zone at SBC Summit Americas 2026. The space will feature 13 exhibition booths and a dedicated lounge, giving startups a strong presence on the show floor and direct access to key decision-makers, with 51% of last year’s attendees holding budget responsibility.
Known as a key player in the early-stage gaming ecosystem, BettingStartups has built a reputation for supporting founders through its media platform, podcast, newsletter, events, and investment arm. By tapping into this network, the partnership will bring a curated group of high-quality startups to the event, giving attendees the chance to discover and engage with the next wave of innovation shaping the industry.
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
Applications for the First Pitch Competition are currently open, with a submission deadline of 17 April, and selected participants to be notified by 4 May. 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, no-nonsense 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 unique, startup-focused content.
Through curated participation, targeted marketing campaigns, and dedicated programming, BettingStartups will also support delegate growth, with a goal of driving significant 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.”
About SBC Summit Americas
SBC Summit Americas is a leading industry event bringing together key stakeholders from across the North and Latin American gaming and sports betting markets.
Taking place from June 9-11 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, the event continues to evolve its offering with a strong focus on business outcomes. This year, SBC introduces the SBC Connections networking program, featuring eight new ways for attendees to connect, alongside a new five-tier ticketing system designed to give participants greater control over their experience based on their business priorities.
Startups and industry professionals are invited to secure their place at SBC Summit Americas 2026.
