Defy the Odds & BettingStartups Announce Partnership

Defy the Odds (DTO) and BettingStartups have announced a strategic partnership aimed at elevating the role of startups across the iGaming and sports betting industry. The partnership brings together two organisations that share a common belief: that startups are essential to the future of this industry — and that they deserve better access to the community, collaboration and capital they need to succeed.

Defy the Odds, a startup launchpad advising early-stage founders in iGaming , sports betting, sportstech and fintech, and BettingStartups, the connective tissue for real money gaming’s early stage ecosystem, will work together to bridge the gap between emerging companies and the wider industry.

The iGaming and sports betting industry is evolving fast. New markets are opening, regulation is shifting, and the demand for fresh thinking has never been higher. But for startups trying to break in, the barriers are real. There is limited visibility, fragmented networks, and a funding landscape that doesn’t always understand the space. This partnership is designed to change that.

By combining DTO’s advisory expertise and community of founders, investors and industry experts with BettingStartups’ reach and depth across the global gaming startup landscape, the goal is to create more pathways for startups to be seen, supported and funded. Investors looking for the next wave of innovation in the space will benefit from better deal flow and deeper insight into what’s being built. Operators and established businesses will gain earlier access to the products, platforms and ideas that could shape the next generation of the industry.

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.

The first visible collaboration between DTO and BettingStartups will take place at SBC Summit Americas** (June 9–11, Fort Lauderdale), where both organisations will support startup-focused programming and help connect early-stage companies with the broader industry.More joint initiatives will follow throughout 2026.

Kelly Kehn, Co-Founder of Defy the Odds said of the partnership, “Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens when founders connect, share ideas and push each other forward. That’s what community does. This partnership with BettingStartups is about bringing more startups together and making sure the wider industry pays attention to what they’re building. Because the future of our industry is being shaped by these founders.”

Jesse Learmonth, founder of BettingStartups, adds “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.”