What does Xanada Investments aim to achieve within the iGaming industry?
When I envisioned Xanada Investments, I didn’t want it to be just another source of capital because I believe funding is the basics that any fund provides; otherwise, it wouldn’t be called a fund. Our mission is to be a driving force for growth—not by merely investing money, but by actively engaging in the journey of every business we support. We aim to help transform businesses, not just by backing them financially, but by being a true partner in their development.
We provide more than financial support; our goal is to build a dynamic ecosystem of businesses that work together and support one another. We offer comprehensive resources, from business strategy and sales to marketing and technical advisory, to ensure that our startups can scale and succeed in the highly competitive market.
Our vision is to create a community of interconnected businesses that share common goals and grow together. Through collaboration and mutual support, we believe this ecosystem will drive long-term success and allow our startups to thrive without the need for external resources.
Could you tell us about your investment opportunities and your portrait service.
At Xanada Investments, our investment opportunities are tailored to startups that demonstrate a strong potential for growth and innovation within the iGaming industry. Our team works closely with startups to provide strategic advice and guidance at every stage of their development. Whether it's scaling operations, optimising business models, or expanding into new markets, we offer a hands-on approach to ensure success.
As part of our investment process, we use a portrait service to create a comprehensive profile of each startup. This allows us to fully understand the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities each business presents. By gaining a deep insight into their operations, we can provide more targeted and effective support, ensuring that each startup receives the resources it needs to thrive.
This tailored approach sets us apart from other investment firms. We look beyond the immediate financial returns and focus on fostering long-term relationships with the startups we support. This allows us to create an ecosystem where both investors and startups can grow together, sharing insights and leveraging each other's strengths.
Through collaboration and mutual support, we believe this ecosystem will drive long-term success and allow our startups to thrive without the need for external resources
What do you look for in iGaming startups when investing in them?
The first thing I focus on is the team—their experience, what they bring to the table, and how they prepare for the application process. A team’s previous experience and understanding of their market are crucial indicators of their potential. Founders who come prepared with a clear, strategic approach to building and scaling their businesses stand out the most.
Beyond just financial metrics, the true potential of a startup lies in the strength of its leadership. The experience, vision, and adaptability of founders are essential in navigating the rapidly evolving iGaming landscape. We prioritise teams that not only understand their market but also demonstrate the ability to scale their business effectively across different environments.
Founders who see the value in leveraging our expertise, networks, and resources are the ones with the greatest potential for long-term success. This combination of vision and strategic alignment is what truly sets projects apart in our portfolio.
Community appears a key aspect of the business. What aspects are you looking for within the Xanada community?
At Xanada Investments, we believe that true success in the iGaming industry goes beyond individual achievements—it's about creating a collaborative ecosystem where startups, investors, and industry leaders work together. Our community is designed to foster long-term success, where members actively share knowledge, resources, and insights to overcome challenges and grow collectively.
We seek startups that not only bring innovative solutions but are also eager to contribute to the success of others within the ecosystem. This means engaging in collaborative projects, offering expertise, and driving the industry forward through mutual support. The ability to learn from one another and collaborate is a core value in the Xanada community.
Our ultimate goal is to create a self-sustaining network, where businesses don’t just grow individually but thrive as part of a larger collective. By building strong partnerships and nurturing a culture of innovation and trust, the community drives forward, ensuring that each business reaches its full potential and contributes to the success of the entire ecosystem.
What was the thinking behind the Xanada Startup Contest and how does it work?
The Xanada Startup Contest was inspired by the increasing gap we observed between promising startups and the resources they need to scale effectively. Many talented startups face challenges, not only in securing funding but also in accessing the strategic guidance necessary to navigate competitive markets. Our goal is to provide both financial support and hands-on expertise.
We’re not just interested in joining other investors' opportunities—we aim to create our own initiatives to ensure startups succeed under the best possible conditions. By setting our own terms, we create unique pathways for growth and success, making sure that startups thrive within our ecosystem.
So far, we've received over 200 applications, and the rising interest highlights the real demand for the kind of comprehensive support we provide. Many of these applications are promising, showcasing innovative ideas and well-structured business plans. While we're often invited to join other investment ventures, our focus is on continuing to launch initiatives like this one, where we can offer startups the funding and long-term strategic guidance they need to succeed in their industries.
From what you have seen during the contest, what advice would you give any potential iGaming startups to be successful?
One of the most striking issues we've observed is that many startups do not dedicate enough time to preparing their applications. A lack of a clear, compelling narrative or thorough documentation can quickly place a startup at a disadvantage. If a startup cannot allocate sufficient time for proper preparation, why should an investor allocate time and resources to that project?
Yes, some startups have great ideas but struggle to articulate how they plan to bring those ideas to market. This is particularly problematic when dealing with investors who need to see a clear path to profitability. Moreover, we’ve noticed that some startups focus too much on the technology and not enough on the business model. While innovation is crucial, it's equally important to demonstrate how that innovation will translate into a sustainable and scalable business.
We place people and their experiences at the forefront, but as a fund, it's essential for us to see ideas that not only inspire but also have the potential to convert into profitable ventures. My advice to startups is to invest the necessary time to thoroughly prepare their applications. Ensure that your pitch is not only polished but also backed by solid data and a realistic business plan. Understand your market, know your competition, and be ready to explain how you will overcome the challenges you will inevitably face.
We’re not just interested in joining other investors' opportunities—we aim to create our own initiatives to ensure startups succeed under the best possible conditions
From your work in the iGaming industry, what are some emerging trends you have noticed recently?
Overall, we’re seeing a significant rise in projects focused on gamification, AI-based solutions, casino operators, and affiliate marketing programs, as these areas are currently at the forefront of the industry’s growth. This has been evident not only in the broader iGaming landscape but also through the startups participating in our contest. Throughout our experience, we’ve been impressed by the variety of innovative ideas and solutions being introduced. Surprisingly, although our primary focus has been the European market, a large number of applications have come from the United States, particularly in the B2C segment, focusing on player-centric experiences. These companies are heavily concentrating on user retention and acquisition, proposing solutions like AI-driven real-time engagement tools, cross-channel activities, and gamification to keep players engaged across platforms.
The two key areas startups focus on are pay retention and pay acquisition, with innovative approaches that aim to enhance user engagement. Notably, we've seen a surge in affiliate marketing solutions, where many startups are working on developing their own traffic channels to gain greater control over user acquisition. This trend shows how iGaming companies are adapting to the competitive landscape by reducing their reliance on third-party traffic and improving their ability to scale through more efficient management of user acquisition.
In particular, we've noticed a surge in media-buying companies. These businesses are increasingly popular, but many hit a ceiling when working solely with third-party traffic. While they know how to manage traffic, there’s a limit they can reach with external sources. As a result, they're turning to our fund to develop the right strategies to scale effectively, allowing them to build their own sustainable channels and unlock new growth opportunities.
