Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
🎙️ NEXT.io Podcast #261 with Jesse Learmonth from The Betting Startups.
In this episode of the NEXT.io Podcast, Jesse Learmonth joins us to discuss the current state of the iGaming startup ecosystem, what investors are actually looking for today, and why building new companies in gaming has become significantly harder.
As the founder of Betting Startups, Jesse works closely with early-stage companies and investors across the industry. In this conversation, we explore how the funding environment has changed, why distribution and partnerships are critical for growth, and what skills founders need to succeed when launching new gaming businesses.
⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:28 - Jesse Learmonth returns to the NEXT.io Podcast
01:15 - The role of Betting Startups in the ecosystem
03:10 - The current state of iGaming startups
07:45 - Why building startups is harder today
11:10 - Funding environment & investor expectations
14:00 - What makes a startup investable
18:00 - Innovation in iGaming
22:30 - Where startups can still win
27:00 - Scaling challenges for gaming startups
31:00 - Partnerships, distribution & market access
35:30 - The biggest mistakes founders make
40:00 - Why distribution is everything
44:30 - The role of networks & industry relationships
48:30 - Advice for founders entering iGaming
52:30 - The future of gaming startups
55:30 - Closing thoughts
🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333
CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO
✩ Website: next.io
This episode of NEXT.io is brought to you by:
Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology
https://pragmatic.solutions/
Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider
pragmaticplay.com/en
Sponsored by:
Hard Rock Games: hardrockgames.com
🎙️ NEXT.io Podcast #261 with Jesse Learmonth from The Betting Startups.
In this episode of the NEXT.io Podcast, Jesse Learmonth joins us to discuss the current state of the iGaming startup ecosystem, what investors are actually looking for today, and why building new companies in gaming has become significantly harder.
As the founder of Betting Startups, Jesse works closely with early-stage companies and investors across the industry. In this conversation, we explore how the funding environment has changed, why distribution and partnerships are critical for growth, and what skills founders need to succeed when launching new gaming businesses.
⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:28 - Jesse Learmonth returns to the NEXT.io Podcast
01:15 - The role of Betting Startups in the ecosystem
03:10 - The current state of iGaming startups
07:45 - Why building startups is harder today
11:10 - Funding environment & investor expectations
14:00 - What makes a startup investable
18:00 - Innovation in iGaming
22:30 - Where startups can still win
27:00 - Scaling challenges for gaming startups
31:00 - Partnerships, distribution & market access
35:30 - The biggest mistakes founders make
40:00 - Why distribution is everything
44:30 - The role of networks & industry relationships
48:30 - Advice for founders entering iGaming
52:30 - The future of gaming startups
55:30 - Closing thoughts
🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333
CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO
✩ Website: next.io
This episode of NEXT.io is brought to you by:
Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology
https://pragmatic.solutions/
Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider
pragmaticplay.com/en
Sponsored by:
Hard Rock Games: hardrockgames.com
