Ep. 210: Building DFS 3.0 to prioritize "less spreadsheets and more friends" w/ Matt Kelley from Fast Draft

Ep. 210: Building DFS 3.0 to prioritize "less spreadsheets and more friends" w/ Matt Kelley from Fast Draft

Author: BettingStartups.com May 12, 2026 Duration: 41:18
Ep. 210 features Matt Kelley from FastDraft, a fantasy sports platform recently merged with FantasySpin that focuses on high-velocity, mobile-first gameplay. Hear them discuss: Matt’s transition from building a million-dollar stats business to launching a platform for the 60M+ fantasy gamer market. Why the "attention deficit economy" needs 5-minute drafts instead of the traditional hour-long commitment. The origin story of FastDraft and how it grew out of the underserved dynasty and rookie draft subcultures. Details on the merger with FantasySpin and combining skill sets to create a "Voltron" marketing and product team. How they built and licensed a regulated gaming app for $2M by leveraging "OG entrepreneur" experience. The philosophy of "DFS 3.0" and why prioritizing social play over spreadsheets is the industry's next frontier. Integrating a unified wallet and cross-app features to optimize for wallet velocity. Their long-term vision to become the "go-to second screen" for sports fans through a blend of stats and gaming The dedicated Startup Zone at SBC Summit Americas gives real-money gaming startups a platform to showcase to 10,000+ attendees — including investors, operators, suppliers, media, and key industry players. Spaces are limited, secure yours now through https://www.bettingstartups.com/sbc-americas-2026   If you don't have a ticket for the event yet, use discount code BETTINGSTARTUPSVIP for 30% off your pass. Grab your ticket here: https://sbcevents.com/sbc-summit-americas/   Catch the video version of this episode here.   Learn more 👇 ➡️ FastDraft website ➡️ Matt Kelley on Linkedin   📩 Get the top headlines from the industry's most promising growth-stage companies every week—totally free! Subscribe to the Betting Startups newsletter here: https://news.bettingstartups.com/

Tune into The Betting Startups Podcast for a direct line to the minds building the future of gambling and interactive entertainment. This isn't about tips or odds; it's a rare, behind-the-scenes exploration of the business itself. Each episode features candid conversations with the founders and CEOs who are launching innovative companies into the high-stakes world of sports betting, fantasy leagues, and iGaming. You'll hear firsthand about the unique challenges of navigating a rapidly evolving and heavily regulated industry, the strategies for capturing market share, and the personal journeys of entrepreneurship at the intersection of technology and gaming. Hosted by BettingStartups.com, the podcast serves as an essential audio companion for anyone interested in the business mechanics driving this multi-billion dollar sector. Whether you're an investor, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the industry's new players, these discussions provide unfiltered insights you won't find elsewhere. Discover the stories of risk, innovation, and competition that are reshaping how the world plays and bets.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Betting Startups Podcast
Podcast Episodes