Interactive
US – GiGse organisers announce LaunchPad shortlist of five
By Phil - 29 May 2018
“A true reflection of the growing impact technology is having across all sectors in US gaming,” is how Clarion Gaming has described the shortlist of start-up businesses for the forthcoming annual GiGse LaunchPad competition taking place at The Biltmore, Miami (May 31 to June 1). The GiGse LaunchPad provides start-ups with a once in a life time opportunity to pitch in front of investor judges and an audience of senior executives from the US land-based and interactive gaming sectors.
The 2018 GiGse LaunchPad finalists comprise:
Bookee, a B2C mobile sports betting app using a uniquely simple interface, think ‘Tinder’ for betting. Presented by Co-founder of the app, Adam Kalmanson.
Inside Injuries, an injury risk analysis of professional athletes enabling consumers to make better decisions for sports betting and playing fantasy sports. Presented by Tracy Hankin, CEO.
Play the Field, a B2B solution blending the locative magic and AR experience of Pokémon Go with casino rewards to engage and activate a new kind of customer at the destination. Presented by their Founder and CEO, Kara Holm.
Racetrack Casino, a social casino with a new twist, introducing integrated online gambling rewards for real money. Presented by Walter Hessert, CEO.
Skilup Poker, a Mobile Texas Holdem with legal cash out in the US. Presented by the company’s founder Christian Gomez.
Ewa Bakun, who has been central to the development of LaunchPad, said: “For this year’s LaunchPad we wanted companies who are beyond the ‘concept phase’ and who demonstrated great ideas, great energy and the great dedication that’s required to transform ideas into reality, and our five finalists don’t disappoint. The shortlist, which covers mobile gaming, social casino, DFS and sports betting, reflects the forward thinking aspects of GiGse this year, with key focus on the real-money expansion of mobile products, attracting millennial customers and of course, a dedicated emphasis on the lucrative game-changer in North America in 2018, Sports Betting.”
Discussing the opportunities that exist for the eventual winner of the GiGse LaunchPad, who will follow in the footsteps of previous winners including BlueBat Games, NumberFire and nQube, which triumphed in 2017, she added: “The GiGse LaunchPad is a great opportunity for new companies to promote their innovations and to get some traction by pitching to GiGse’s mainly C-Level delegate profile. Last year’s winners have told us that winning GiGse LaunchPad was ‘pivotal’ for them as a company and we look forward to providing a similar platform for this year’s start-up to get noticed by both investors and business partners in Miami.”
Judging the start-ups and commenting on the pitches will be key figures from the North American gaming industry, including: Harmen Brenninkmeijer, Managing Partner, Dynamic Partners International; Kent Young, CEO, Angel Investor; Seth A. Schachner, Managing Director, Strat Americas; Brent Saiontz, Angel Investor; and, Melissa Blau, Director, iGaming Capital.
Caption: Ewa Bakun
