On October 17th from 15:00-17:00, EiG will host its fifth annual “LaunchPad” session at the Fira Barcelona. The purpose of this session is to provide opportunities to innovative start-ups within the online gambling industry, everything from exposure to raising capital to advice from the experts.
Up to five start-up companies will be chosen to present to a panel of experts, investors and EiG attendees during the LaunchPad session.
Moderated by Melissa Blau, Director of iGaming Capital and 20 year media, technology and finance sector veteran, this session promises to be one of the best at EiG. CalvinAyre.com spoke with Blau to find out why this EiG session truly is one of the best.
“The LaunchPad is a great opportunity for start-up iGaming companies to pitch their ideas not only to a great group of serious investors but a large number of industry insiders as well. Investors include both financial and strategic investors”. Blau added, “Several winners and other LaunchPad participants closed their next round of financing just months after pitching ideas on stage”.
Prior to pitching their innovative ideas on October 17th to the masses, the chosen start-ups will receive tailored guidance from the EiG panel of experts so they make the most of their presentations.
“The training in advance of their presentation will help entrepreneurs fine tune their pitch to ensure their presentation speaks more effectively to the investment community”, Blau explained. “This has proven really valuable in the past years and its taken seriously by those who are involved in the process”.
At the conclusion of the LaunchPad session, the audience will provide real time feedback in the form a poll so the start-ups can get a feel for how the industry will respond to their concept.
Blau appreciates the value of instant audience feedback and told CalvinAyre.com we can expect the crowd to consist of bookmakers, casino, bingo, and poker operators, software providers and a wide range of other service providers.
“The real time polling by the audience at the end of the session also lets those entrepreneurs get a sense of how they rank by industry insiders. Not only do entrepreneurs get great exposure to potential strategic partners in the audience but also the polling will help entrepreneurs get a sense how appealing their product is to these potential partners”, explained Blau.
In addition to the exposure the chosen start-ups will receive at EiG 2012, winning the EiG Launch pad title is the gift that keeps on giving. Blau comments, “Actually the biggest reason to enter the launch pad is to win! The winner not only gets great bragging rights which goes far in meetings especially with investors but also wins free exhibition space to next year’s EIG expo!”
For any start-up company that is interested in submitting an application for the LaunchPad session your deadline is Friday, September 7th 17:00 GMT. Visit the EiG LaunchPad & Start-Up Zone page for all guidelines and instructions and CalvinAyre.com looks forward to reporting on this session and wishes you the best of luck!
