Five Finalist Startups to Compete in First Pitch at SBC Summit 2026

The five finalist startups for First Pitch have been confirmed by SBC for its 2026 edition in partnership with BettingStartups. Each will present their technological proposals and growth plans to investors, operators, and industry decision-makers on October 1 during the SBC Summit in Lisbon. The presentations follow a strict format: three minutes for the pitch and another three for jury questions. The winning company will receive a prize package valued at €139,400, designed to support its next stage of development.

Finalists and Their Technological Proposals

This edition stands out for the variety of problems addressed by the startups, ranging from social engagement in betting to competitive intelligence and loss prevention. The five finalists are:

• Betsy: A social prediction platform that turns betting and predictions into easily shareable content, aiming to make participation part of the entertainment experience.
• Gmonitor: An AI-based competitive intelligence platform that tracks market activity, promotions, games, advertising, rankings, and regulation. It aims to help operators understand where competitors are advancing and how to adjust their strategies.
• InsightPlay.ai: An autonomous AI agents system for acquisition, retention, reactivation, and customer support, focused on enhancing player experience.
• Safefy: AI-driven transactional monitoring technology to prevent suspicious activities and economic losses.
• Whizgen AI (Whizdom AI): A suite of three interconnected AI tools aimed at iGaming operators, covering customer support, personalized game recommendations, and user dropout detection.

“What makes a difference this year is the variety of problems they aim to solve, from player retention to transaction monitoring and competitive intelligence. Each startup faces a real industry challenge, but from an entirely different perspective.” — Paul Mills, Senior Event Director, SBC

Structure and Process of the First Pitch Competition

First Pitch will take place on Thursday, October 1, on the Product Innovation Showcase stage, dedicated on that day exclusively to startups. Each finalist will have three minutes to pitch and three additional minutes for questions from the jury panel. First Pitch is also part of the expanded Startup Hub at the SBC Summit, where emerging companies can access exhibitions, networking, and specialized content to connect with potential business partners and investors.

Jesse Learmonth, founder of BettingStartups and host of First Pitch, emphasized:

“First Pitch offers a unique opportunity for founders to showcase what they have built to those who can help them move forward. The pitch may last a few minutes, but the feedback and connections made have lasting impact.”

Prizes for the Winning Startup of First Pitch

The prize package for the 2026 winner is valued at over €100,000 and includes centralized services for data, marketing, legal, infrastructure, and media exposure aimed at the growth and visibility of the startup. It includes:

• Are You Watching This?! & MetaBet: One year of API access to sports data, betting, and engagement (€42,000).
• SBC Events: 3x3m stand, turnkey setup, sponsor mention, and four passes for SBC Summit 2027 (€15,000).
• SBC Media: Advertising and promotional editorials for six months on platforms and newsletters (€11,000).
• AWS: €10,000 in promotional credits for eligible services and infrastructure.
• CertiIQ: One year access to the technical compliance management platform plus one additional tool (€7,400).
• Square in the Air: Winning video package, promotion on social media, social media audit, competitive analysis, and strategic guide (€5,000).
• Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC: €4,000 in credit for legal services related to gaming.
• Vegas Kings: Exclusive branding or web design package (€3,000).
• GameOn: Two press releases, interview in a trade medium with a US focus, short video interview, and promotion in newsletters (€2,750).

The Jury and Its Impact on the iGaming Startup Landscape

The selection of the winner will be overseen by a panel with direct experience in sports betting, iGaming, venture capital, and startup development. The 2026 jury includes names such as Rob Duboff (Velo Partners), Willy Joseph (Amazon Web Services), Paris Smith (Defy the Odds), Tom Waterhouse (Waterhouse VC), and David Williams (Discerning Capital). Their insights range from investment to operations and technological innovation.

The SBC Summit 2026 expects to gather over 40,000 industry professionals from September 29 to October 1 at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa and the MEO Arena. Access to both the Product Innovation Showcase stage and First Pitch is included in Conference, Business, and VIP passes. Operating units, affiliates, and regulators may also qualify for courtesy passes, pending approval.

In the event's agenda, the focus on innovation and emerging talent is reflected not only in First Pitch but throughout the Startup Hub, which aims to encourage collaboration between new tech companies and established operators. For more details about passes and access conditions, interested parties may consult the official SBC Summit website or visit the events section.

Context: Startups and New Technologies in Current iGaming

The 2026 edition of First Pitch showcases how startups in the segment are seeking advanced solutions in artificial intelligence, transactional security, personalized user experiences, and new forms of social interaction in betting. The finalists represent key trends in the sector's technological development, but the competition also provides a precise evaluation by operators and investors, who prioritize long-term viability over mere novelty. It remains to be seen which of these tools will achieve mass adoption or whether their utility will be limited to market niches.