Gamblers Connect is excited to inform you that we had an exclusive interview with Vladimir Malakchi, CEO & Managing Partner of the cutting-edge Xanada Investments, one of the largest and most reputable investment companies in iGaming!
During the interview, Vladimir discussed a plethora of gripping topics from the progressive realm of iGaming investments, including intricate details behind the success of Xanada, how important are startups in this industry, advice for young entrepreneurs, details from his personal life, and many other captivating subjects!
Make sure to tune in and dive deep with us as we learn everything there is about one of the most dedicated and creative investment brands in the business!
Vladimir, let us start by saying that we are stoked to have you as our guest. We have been looking forward to this interview for quite some time, and we are grateful you found the time in your busy schedule to talk to us!
Vladimir, you are the CEO & Managing Partner at Xanada Investments, one of the largest and most versatile private investment companies in the business. Tell us, how did the idea to launch Xanada was born? What was the motivation and the driving force behind this groundbreaking project?
Vladimir: It came from what I saw firsthand in the market – the same problems repeating themselves year after year. On one side, you have ambitious founders with strong ideas but no real access to investors who actually understand this industry. On the other, you have investors playing it safe, unwilling to support projects outside the standard formulas. It left a huge gap between potential and reality.
After years of growing companies from the inside and watching promising projects stall simply because they didn’t have the right support, it was clear: that someone had to build a bridge between capital and execution. And not just with money – with real involvement, guidance, and operational expertise.
That’s exactly why we created Xanada Investments. It’s an ecosystem built around founders who are ready to move fast, take risks, and create businesses that last. We work with them side by side – because when you know exactly where startups fail, you can actually prevent it. And in the end, that’s the discipline. Not just to write checks, but to prove that the right structure, network, and strategy can turn ambitious projects into market leaders.
Interestingly enough, prior to the launch of Xanada Investments, you were Chief Commercial Officer at Evoplay, a leading iGaming software provider. What was the reason to leave such an esteemed position in an even more esteemed company and risk it all? Given that most people would be happy to work as the CCO of such a company pretty much for the rest of their lives.
Vladimir: Evoplay was an incredible experience and gave me the foundation to understand the industry from a high-level perspective – building partnerships, driving growth, and scaling globally. But at some point, I realized that my passion wasn’t just in growing a single company; it was in enabling an entire industry to evolve.
The decision to transition wasn’t about leaving behind stability; it was about expanding my impact. At Evoplay, I was responsible for one company’s growth. At Xanada Investments, I get to work with multiple startups, guiding them through critical stages, helping them avoid pitfalls, and positioning them for success. Taking the leap was a risk, but one that aligned perfectly with my long-term vision.
Xanada Investments launched the Xanada Startup Contest almost half a year ago, an amazing $2 million opportunity for creative startups who have ideas that can truly redefine the industry. Could you tell us a bit more about the success of the contest? How satisfied were you with the applicants, and more importantly, their ideas?
Vladimir: The response exceeded expectations – over 250 applications from startups worldwide, spanning different verticals within iGaming, fintech, and AI-driven engagement solutions. What stood out was the level of innovation and market readiness of many of these companies. The quality of ideas was impressive, but even more so, the resilience and strategic thinking of the teams behind them.
The contest was about identifying projects with long-term potential. We structured our evaluation around a rigorous multi-stage process, including ‘Crash Testing’, where we put each startup’s strategy, budget, and execution plan through real-world scrutiny. And yes, we definitely found a winner worth backing. FTDx proved exactly the kind of project we launched the contest to find: experienced founders, clear business logic, and a product ready for global growth. It was the kind of decision you feel confident about not just for today, but for the next few years.
Looking back, this contest became more than we expected – it was a test run for something bigger. Now we see it as the launchpad for an even more ambitious and global version – the Xanada Pitch Contest.
Given that we are living in an era where AI reigns supreme, it is no surprise that this latest tech has slowly but surely integrated itself into pretty much every facet of our society. Tell us, Vladimir, what is your opinion on AI? Do you see it as something helpful and necessary, or do you foresee a dark future if humanity relies too much on this technology?
Vladimir: AI is a powerful tool, but let’s be honest – many companies treat it as pure hype. Startups slap “AI-powered” on their pitch decks just to attract investors, but when you look under the hood, it’s either barely functional or doesn’t solve any real business problems. And worst of all, these pointless integrations burn through budgets without bringing actual value.
The key isn’t just using AI for the sake of it but integrating it where it makes sense. I’ve seen companies fail because they bet everything on AI without a solid product or strategy behind it. But I’ve also seen businesses that implemented AI the right way – enhancing internal processes, improving partnerships, and delivering real analytics-driven insights.
In iGaming, AI is a game-changer when applied correctly. It helps in player behaviour analysis, fraud detection, and responsible gaming measures. It’s not just about automating tasks; it’s about making data-driven decisions that improve both business operations and the player experience. The ones who get this right will lead the industry. The ones who don’t will waste time and money chasing a trend that won’t save them.
Over the past 2 years, the number of investment funds and opportunities in our industry has significantly increased. Is it possible to build a successful business without external investments and with your own accumulated capital, or is it still worth finding an investor?
Vladimir: Let’s be honest – yes, you can build a business without external investments. But you need to understand what you’re choosing: slower growth, limited scalability, and constant trade-offs. You’ll always be balancing between product improvements, marketing, and basic survival.
In iGaming, this becomes even harder. The competition here doesn’t wait around, and neither do regulations. Without strategic investment, it’s nearly impossible to build long-term traction. But funding alone isn’t the golden ticket – network and recommendations play just as big of a role. The right investor isn’t just bringing money; they’re bringing access. Their connections open doors to partnerships, market expansions, and key industry players that would otherwise take years to reach.
That’s the real difference between “surviving” and actually leading the market. A strong network can accelerate growth just as much as capital, and when both align, that’s when businesses scale at a whole different level.
How does the relationship between an investor and a startup work in the iGaming industry specifically? What should entrepreneurs do to prepare for a meeting with an investor?
Vladimir: iGaming is not an easy market. It’s one of the most complex and fast-moving industries out there. Investors here are looking at your numbers and they’re looking at how deeply you understand the mechanics of the business. Because this industry is not only about attracting users and keeping them engaged. It’s about navigating regulatory chaos, managing compliance across jurisdictions, understanding regional specifics, and staying ahead while everything around you shifts constantly.
And that’s exactly where a lot of founders lose the plot. They prepare beautiful pitch decks full of ambition and future dreams, but when it comes to the core questions – how the business works, how it scales, how it survives regulation shocks – things fall apart.
So, how do you prepare? Brutal self-checking. Before you sit down with any investor, ask yourself the questions we’re definitely going to ask: Where’s your market fit? What are your real risks? How do you plan to scale sustainably? What happens when regulations change overnight? And why should anyone believe this will work?
The founders who impress are the ones who come prepared with strategic thinking behind those answers. The ones who have already stress-tested their own model identified weak spots, and aren’t afraid to pivot fast. Because in iGaming, confidence comes from knowing you can execute in an unpredictable environment – and proving it.
Are there any specific types of businesses in our industry that are easier or more profitable to build, that young entrepreneurs should consider?
Vladimir: The type of business doesn’t matter as much as how well you execute. Even the most profitable business model can fail if the execution is weak. Too many founders focus on trends – thinking, “This is the hot thing right now, let’s build something around it.” That’s a mistake. The real success comes when you build in a space where you have deep expertise. If you don’t understand the mechanics of an industry, it doesn’t matter how big the opportunity is – you won’t be able to compete long-term.
Instead of chasing trends, focus on identifying gaps in the market, solving real problems, and creating something that delivers actual value. The market will reward that, not just another “me-too” project jumping on the latest bandwagon.
As someone who communicates with startup founders on a daily basis, what challenges do young entrepreneurs most often face, excluding the capital factor?
Vladimir: Execution. Always execution. Most founders think their problem is money. But after working with hundreds of teams, I can say with confidence: that funding doesn’t fix weak foundations.
The same mistakes repeat daily – incomplete go-to-market strategies, overestimated growth potential, ignoring compliance risks, and the classic one: falling so deeply in love with their own idea that they stop listening to the market. And the worst part? Many founders delay the pivot, thinking they can push through with the same plan that’s already not working. But the market doesn’t care how passionate you are. It only responds to what delivers results.
It’s simple: great ideas will always exist. But the ones that survive belong to those who know how to build, test, adapt, and repeat – fast.
If you could give one piece of advice to all entrepreneurs, what would it be?
Vladimir: Stop focusing on getting funded. Focus on building something that deserves funding. Investors are not rescuers. We don’t show up to save ideas – we show up when execution proves the idea works.
I’ve seen plenty of incredible concepts die on the table because the founders thought the story was enough. It never is. The difference between success and failure is how well you execute when things stop going according to plan- and trust me, they always do. Traction, adaptability, understanding your market inside out, a solid business model, and the courage to make hard decisions fast – that’s what gets real attention.
Lastly, we usually tend to end every interview on a more personal note, as we would love to learn more about our guests. What do you like to do in your spare time when you are not at the helm of a leading investment company? Are there any particular hobbies, aspirations, sports clubs, movies, etc., you would like to share with us and our readers?
Vladimir: When I’m not deep in business, I like to recharge through extreme sports. It’s my way of pushing limits and clearing my head. But at the same time, nothing beats spending quality time with family and close friends – it’s the best way to reset.
I also love video games, especially FIFA – it’s probably the one competition outside of business where I don’t hold back. On top of that, I dedicate a lot of time to self-development, constantly learning about the evolving world of business and technology beyond iGaming. Understanding industries outside your own often gives the best insights into where the next opportunities will come from.
Thank you for finding the time to sit down and talk to us Vladimir, we had a blast!
