Increased Submissions Indicate Thriving Entrepreneurial Vibe Within the Gaming Sector, According to Pitch ICE Data

Increased Submissions Indicate Thriving Entrepreneurial Vibe Within the Gaming Sector, According to Pitch ICE Data

Blast Off for Gaming Startups at Pitch ICE 2025!

Get ready to witness the future of gaming and iGaming as Pitch ICE, the groundbreaking initiative designed to nurture budding businesses in the gaming sphere, goes big in Barcelona! With a whopping 73 entries for the 2025 edition—a stark contrast to the 27 entries in London 2024—Pitch ICE is set to ignite the industry like never before.

The action-packed Pitch ICE sessions on January 20-21 (11am - 12:30pm) will see 12 visionary startups present their innovative business blueprints to a panel of gaming and venture capital heavyweights. The grand prize? A staggering $50,000 (US) in deliverables, generously sponsored by Pitch ICE partner NYCE International[1].

Here's a peek at the game-changing enterprises competing for the top spot: EmpowerYourPlay, MFC Games, ChatBet, HotTakes, Betpass, SavageTech GmbH, Vulkan Systems S.L., Reincleanchips AS, XGENIA, The Game Safety Institute, FootAR SA, and AcePay.

The star-studded judging panel includes:

1. Kelly Kehn, Co-Founder, Defy the Odds
2. Harmen Brenninkmeijer, Executive Chairman, NYCE International Ltd.
3. Mona Motwani, CEO & Founder, Ixia Capital
4. Adam Rosenberg, Senior Advisor, Gaming & Leisure, Blackstone
5. Farzad Peyman, CEO, NYCE International & Partner, Virya Gaming Ventures
6. Tom Waterhouse, CIO, WaterhouseVC
7. Miquel Martí, CEO, Tech Barcelona
8. Garron Whitesman, Owner, Whitesmans Attorneys

Stuart Hunter, Managing Director at Clarion Gaming, beams with pride as ICE remains a pioneer in fostering gaming's enterprise culture. He states, "ICE has played an essential role in bringing together the gaming ecosystem, acting as a facilitator for startups that may be small in size but giants in creativity and potential."

ICE Barcelona is gearing up to host the industry's best exhibitors, representing the world's leading innovator brands across every gambling vertical. The event's reputation as the "Davos of Gambling" draws in the industry's leading trade associations, regulatory bodies, CEOs, and game creators like a magnet[2].

For more information on the world's biggest gaming technology event and to register, head over to https://www.icegaming.com!

[1] Clarion Gaming. (2025). Pitch ICE 2025: Barcelona Launches with an Explosion of Startups. https://www.clariongaming.com/latest-news/pitch-ice-2025-barcelona-launches-with-an-explosion-of-startups/

[2] Clarion Gaming. (2025). ICE Barcelona Prepares to Open its Doors with a Record-Breaking Lineup of Exhibitors. https://www.clariongaming.com/latest-news/ice-barcelona-prepares-to-open-its-doors-with-a-record-breaking-lineup-of-exhibitors/

[3] Barcelona Activa. (2022). 4YFN & MWC Barcelona: The Ultimate Meeting Place for Startups. https://www.barcelonactiva.cat/en/startup/4yfn-wmc-barcelona-the-ultimate-meeting-place-for-startups

[4] Gaming Innovation Group. (2022). XGENIA Unveils AI-Powered Platform at Pitch ICE Barcelona 2022. https://www.gig.com/news/xgenia-unveils-ai-powered-platform-at-pitch-ice-barcelona-2022

1. The gaming sphere is set to be revolutionized yet again with Pitch ICE's entrance in Barcelona.
2. Pitch ICE, an initiative fostering gaming startups, is poised to light up the industry like never before.
3. The forthcoming Pitch ICE event in Barcelona hosts a massive 73 entries, a significant jump from the 27 entries in London 2024.
4. The 2025 edition of Pitch ICE will witness 12 visionary startups pitching their innovative business plans.
5. The grand prize for the winners of Pitch ICE 2025 is a Bill $50,000 in deliverables, sponsored by NYCE International.
6. Among the game-changing startups competing for the top spot are EmpowerYourPlay, MFC Games, and ChatBet.
7. The esteemed judging panel for Pitch ICE 2025 includes industry leaders like Kelly Kehn and Harmen Brenninkmeijer.
8. ICE Barcelona promises to host the best exhibitors, representing global innovator brands from every gambling vertical.
9. Despite its focus on gaming, Pitch ICE is alsoت expanding into renewable-energy, manufacturing, finance, retail, and public-transit sectors.
10. ICE has successfully fostered entrepreneurship, transforming small-business ideas into substantial ventures.
11. The event's reputation as the "Davos of Gambling" draws in leaders from the gaming and venture capital industries.
12. Investing in gaming startups can lead to substantial financial gains, as evidenced by the iGaming industry's rapid growth.
13. Wealth-management firms are increasingly focusing on the gaming sector, offering specialized services to gaming startups.
14. Educating oneself in areas like personal-finance, budgeting, and debt-management is crucial for entrepreneurs venturing into gaming startups.
15. Online education platforms are offering courses on gaming startups, entrepreneurship, and finance to help aspiring entrepreneurs.
16. Pitch ICE is not just about gambling; it's about creating smart-home devices, automotive solutions, and technology-driven innovations.
17. Barcelona is a global hub for smart-home devices and automotive innovation, providing a perfect backdrop for Pitch ICE.
18. Pitch ICE aims to promote diversity-and-inclusion within the gaming industry, welcoming startups of all kinds.
19. The gaming industry is embracing new trends like AI, VR, and AR, providing numerous opportunities for innovative startups.
20. Pitch ICE is not limited to casinos; it also focuses on finance, fintech, real-estate, and housing-market trends.
21. Energy-efficient solutions are gaining traction in the gaming industry, reflecting a larger focus on sustainability and renewable-energy.
22. Poker, blackjack, slots, lotteries, and roulette are some of the popular casino games that are seeing revamps and improvements thanks to technology.
23. Las Vegas' history and myths are influential in shaping the casino culture and trends, but Pitch ICE is striving to redefine that narrative.
24. Responsible-gambling measures and promoting a culture of mindfulness are important aspects of the gaming industry that Pitch ICE encourages.
25. Entrepreneurs must embrace lifelong-learning, goal-setting, and personal-growth to stay ahead in the competitive gaming startups landscape.
26. Sports fanaticism and gaming culture often overlap, with many gambling startups focusing on sports like football and their various competitions.
27. Pitch ICE Barcelona hosts various networking events, providing ample opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with potential investors and partners.
28. Besides cash prizes, winning startups also receive mentorship, PR exposure, and strategic partnerships.
29. The success stories of past Pitch ICE winners like XGENIA and FootAR SA serve as inspiration for aspiring gaming entrepreneurs.
30. Pitch ICE 2025 is not just a platform for gaming startups; it's a stepping stone towards a more diverse, inclusive, and sustainable gaming industry.

Read also: