FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2021
Contact: Michael Fiez
(608) 310-7547 – media@thefsga.org
FSGA’s Virtual Pitch Day capped by
Champions Round win in premiere event
MIDDLETON, Wis. – The Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association’s “Ignite Series” continued Feb. 25 with its inaugural Virtual Pitch Day.
The day’s biggest prize went to Champions Round, innovators of a micro-fantasy sports platform. Champions Round won the Funded Pitch Competition (and a cash award) in an event designed for companies that have raised over $500,000.
Champions Round was joined by BettorEdge and BookIt Sports in the event. Each company delivered a pitch to a panel of esteemed judges — Chris Grove (Eilers & Krejcik Gaming), Tim Hayden (Stadia Ventures), Sarah Holmes (Unshackled Ventures) — from sports-tech focused venture capital firms.
“The very first pitch I ever gave was on the stage of FSGA Summer Conference 2019 NYC,” said Carter Russ, CEO & Co-Founder of Champions Round. “Hundreds of pitches later, and some VC funding, it really means a lot to me to be selected as The FSGA Funded Founder’s Pitch Competition winner. The FSGA is really the mecca for our industry, and we at Champions Round can’t wait to make micro fantasy sports an integral part of the future of sports entertainment.”
Earlier in the day, Hedge, Inc., represented by CEO Jackson Fitzgerald, beat out five other contenders (Altruity, Cloud9 Favors, OneTo11, Sports Gambling Podcast Network and World High Stakes Golf) to win the Quick Pitch, an elevator-pitch-style competition designed for seed-stage companies in the space. Attendees from all over North America voted for the best pitch with Hedge receiving a Founders Package from sponsor Vela Wood.
As a bridge between the two pitch competitions, the Ignite event also featured a Funded Founder’s Panel in which Matthew Holt (US Integrity), Jason Jaramillo (StatHero) and Matt Walsh (TrophySmack) — each of whose company has raised over $500,000 for their respective startup — shared their experiences and tips for getting funded.
“Congrats to Champions Round, Hedge, Inc. and to all of the participants in our first-ever Virtual Pitch Day,” said FSGA Chair Stacie Stern. “This type of event truly adds value to our members and gets right to the heart of the FSGA’s mission.”
Added FSGA Board member and event organizer Kevin Vela, “We were thrilled with the quality of pitches during both sessions, and the interest from investors. Sports betting and fantasy sports continue to be red-hot industries in the venture world and we’re proud to support these companies through the FSGA.”
The next event in the Ignite Series will take place Thursday, March 4 at 5 ET. Ignite your network and make valuable connections with FSGA Speed Networking. Powered by Meetaway, enjoy virtual speed networking where you’ll be able to talk with execs from DraftKings, FanDuel, NFL, NHL, Yahoo Sports, Rotowire, Monkey Knife Fight and many more. Register here to make sure you guarantee your spot: https://fantasysportsnadgamingassociation.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/vrADXVNL. You can also rewatch all the Virtual Pitch Day pitches by registering at the same location.
About FSGA
The Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association is the only national organization representing the interests of fantasy sports and gaming companies. We are the voice for more than nearly 60 million fantasy sports players in the United States and Canada, and for the companies that provide services, news, information and competition to support these growing industries. Our members are sports and gaming enthusiasts, with companies that range from small startups to large media corporations. Our mission is to provide our members with essential research and data, networking opportunities and collective action to help them reach their potential. For more information, visit https://thefsga.org/.