Defy the Odds (DTO) and BettingStartups have announced a strategic partnership aimed at revolutionizing the support ecosystem for iGaming and sports betting startups.
The alliance seeks to dismantle the traditional barriers to entry for early-stage founders by providing a unified gateway to Community, Collaboration, and Capital.
At the heart of this partnership are three things both organisations believe every startup needs:
- Community: A network of people who understand the industry, share knowledge openly and show up for each other.
- Collaboration: Real introductions, shared resources and joint initiatives that create value beyond what either organisation could deliver on its own.
- Capital: Helping startups become investor-ready and connecting them with the right people at the right time. From pitch prep and financial modelling to introductions with active investors in the space, both teams are focused on giving founders a better shot.
Bridging the Visibility Gap
While the global betting industry is evolving rapidly, many startups struggle with fragmented networks and a lack of investor understanding. DTO, an advisory launchpad, will combine its expertise with BettingStartups’ massive reach to create a high-signal infrastructure for scaling.
The partnership is designed to give investors better deal flow while providing operators with early access to the disruptive platforms that will shape the next generation of wagering.
A Mission of Innovation
The collaboration will make its first major public appearance at the SBC Summit Americas (June 9–11) in the designated “Startup Zone.”
Kelly Kehn, Co-Founder of Defy the Odds, highlighted the power of shared knowledge:
“Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens when founders connect, share ideas and push each other forward. This partnership with BettingStartups is about bringing more startups together and making sure the wider industry pays attention to what they’re building.”
Jesse Learmonth, founder of BettingStartups, added that the goal is to provide a “direct, affordable line” to the operators and investors who define the industry.
“We’ve always been about providing high-signal infrastructure for founders to scale. This partnership with DTO doubles down on that mission, linking our audience with a community that actually opens doors. Starting with the Startup Zone at SBC Americas, we’re giving founders a direct, affordable line to the operators and investors who define this industry.”
Throughout 2026, the two organizations plan to launch joint initiatives focused on pitch preparation, financial modeling, and high-value industry introductions to ensure that fresh thinking remains at the heart of the sector’s evolution.
