“Our goal is to create a community that is excited to share ideas and help others win”
We caught up with Ross Lindemann, Co-Founder of BetBoard, a new social sports betting platform that’s set to change the way sports fans connect and engage with each other.
Our interview coincides with the launch of your mobile app. Could you share what your expectations are for this launch?
We are thrilled to launch on the app store this week as we kick off the NFL season in Kansas City. We anticipate a slow ramp-up as we work to gain new users and retain our user base from our Beta launch during March Madness. Recognizing that traditional social media platforms continue to dominate how Sports Bettors communicate, we are excited to offer a new unique experience.
With time-stamped posts showing the game’s score when our user makes a post or a pick, we are creating a level of credibility and accountability like never seen before in the space. While our focus will be on new user growth, we are trying to build a community of like-minded sports enthusiasts who want a central place to communicate about sporting events, without the cluttered feeds of traditional sites.
We know that BetBoard is a social sports betting platform. However, could you reveal more detailed aspects of the project? What exactly is BetBoard?
BetBoard is a social media platform for sports bettors and sports enthusiasts. A true community of fans uniting to beat the sportsbooks. Sharing insights, providing up-to-date news, and posting ideas on specific sporting events, we are actively looking for ways to give our community a leg up when placing sports bets or participating in daily or season-long contests.
There will be two main feeds to communicate, a text-based and a video-based one that we call “Highlights”. In both feeds, sports betting lines will populate and give our users the ability to populate a bet with their preferred OSB, right from BetBoard. Our other key feature is called “SlateSwipe”. This feature gives our users a chance to pick over/under’s, spreads, and moneylines without wagering real money. This can be used to track your bets or compete against our community leaderboard as you prove your knowledge and fandom!
You’ve already had a beta launch. What valuable insights did it provide, and did it change your perspective on certain aspects of the project in any way?
Such a great question. The Beta provided us with more confidence that there is indeed a demand for our platform. With over 2000 post views per user, it also showed us that content creation will be key to our success as we look to scale. Users often “lurk” before sharing any of their insights.
We implemented SlateSwipe to create another engagement point for our beta group. This was a smashing success and led us to focus on a revamped version for the final product (over 20,000 picks made). Some of our users claimed this was their favorite part of the app because they wanted to take a break from wagering their hard-earned money. SlateSwipe gives our community a chance to prove their fandom without risking that cash.
This also gives us a chance to educate our community on the risks associated with sports betting without losing money. While our passion for sports betting remains at the forefront of our business model, we take the risks seriously and will continue to work closely with regulators to create a safe environment for all.
You’ve already partnered with Underdog and Splash Sports. How do you view the significance of securing these partners, and do you have a particular partnership strategy you’d like to pursue?
We are thrilled to partner with two household names in the space. Our strategy thus far has been to pursue partnerships with innovative companies that have a massive runway for growth. Underdog and Splash certainly check those boxes and we will have a few more exciting announcements in the near future as well!
Is there a social media platform that BetBoard will be most similar to in terms of content presentation and interaction with users?
Our platform is the first of its kind. While we may have some similarities to some of the traditional social platforms, we are removing the cluttered feeds, creating a true community, and focusing on a seamless experience that eliminates the need to have countless apps open on your phone. Imagine an app where you can research, analyze, socialize, and then populate your bet, all from one place… that is BetBoard.
What are your expectations for the entire project, and what goals are you aiming for by the end of this year? Where do you want to be in January 2025?
As avid Sports Bettors ourselves, our goal for the project is to create a community that is excited to share ideas and help others win. While smack talk will always be a fun aspect between different fan bases, we want to build a community you are proud to be a part of. Growing this community is our primary focus for 2024.
On the business side of the project, we will be pursuing another round of fundraising at the end of 2024. While we feel confident in the conversations we are having currently, we are taking our time on this next round, as we view this as an opportunity to advance our brand in more ways than the financial aspect. We hope to gain momentum in 2025 and become a household name in the space.
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