BlueRibbon

1. What’s your elevator pitch?

BlueRibbon offers an out of the box, fully customizable jackpot solution through its Player Engagement Platform, allowing operators to easily create innovative promotions across all B2C verticals in regulated markets, increasing player engagement while building brand differentiation. We help our partners to empower the player experience and thereby increase engagement.

2. A brief history of the business please.

After spending more than 10 years in a variety of key positions for iGaming companies; Amir served as the VP Casino and Games in Playtech before being promoted to CEO of Playtech Israel. I held a range of strategic marketing and business development positions in iGaming technology companies, most recently serving as Commercial Director for Playtech, gaining a deep understanding of industry challenges in a regulated landscape.

We noticed there was a lack of innovation, mostly with existing marketing tools, whilst operators were really striving for differentiation. With this in mind, we set out to develop an independent marketing platform that’s specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the industry, and so BlueRibbon was born.

3. Tell us about your team?

Our BlueRibbon team comprises of 10 exceptionally talented professionals who are passionate about innovation. Their energy and enthusiasm combined with their powerful expertise, continuously helps drive our focus, as we challenge the status quo of the industry.

4. What is your culture and how do you hire?

We believe in an all-inclusive culture with emphasise on diversity as a DNA building block of the company. We like taking on people that have no prior experience working in our industry as they bring with them a set of fresh eyes and valuable insights. Together we work as a team to build the dream.

5. What are your interests outside of work?

Age-wise we’re not the typical startup so spending time with our families and kids plays a massive part of lives outside of the office. It’s challenging at times maintaining a healthy balance, but we do our best. We’re all big into our sports. Amir loves his gym and swimming and I’m into cross-fit. Social gaming is also a large aspect of our “down time”, and an important influencer in what we do at a business level.

6. What have been or are your biggest challenges?

Balancing a healthy budget with professional compensation has been a challenge in such a competitive industry. A lot of startups leverage their hiring on what add-ons they offer. Running a tight startup, we are limited in that regard. However, we have managed to build a winning team that sees the bigger picture and is willing to make some sacrifices now for future gains.Another challenge is working in a highly regulated market with an ever-changing landscape. You really have to be quick on your feet, as the dynamics are shifting day-to-day. It takes time, extensive research, and hard work to be able to adapt if you are going to make it.

7. What’s it like working with Velo?

Working with Velo is great! Andrew and Evan both have extensive experience in the gaming space and their insight and support are invaluable to us and the success of our company.

8. What advice would you have for a startup founder?

Perspective is key in the longevity of your business. Building a startup is like a roller coaster, you’ll have your extreme highs and lows, but learning to balance the two is what is going to get you through it all. Expect the unexpected and always trust your gut! Most importantly, remember why you do what you do and just enjoy the ride.

9. What is one thing that keeps you up at night?

It changes depending on the day I’ve had. Most often it’s about evaluating the day’s events, and balancing short and long-term priorities along with department needs. Turning your brain off can be difficult at times when you know that you have a lot of things to process if you are going to make your business a success.

10. What would you say is the biggest lesson you have learned while running BlueRibbon?

In every crisis there is an opportunity. It’s a cliché I know, but it’s true. Take the good from the bad and turn it into something great. Again, it’s all about perspective and willingness to adapt to survive and thrive.

11. What do you know now that you wish you knew before you started BlueRibbon?

Although we were familiar with B2B sales cycles when we started BlueRibbon, we know now that things tend to take longer than expected and as founders we constantly need to make sure we have the funding in place to achieve these long term objectives.

12. We mentioned elevators. Who would you choose to be stuck in a lift with?

Ricky Gervais. He can be very controversial at times, who can forget his Golden Globes moment, but he has a charismatic personality, with a dry and witty sense of humour that I really enjoy.

13. Aside from yours, what’s the one business you wish you had founded (preferably something less obvious than Apple, Google or Uber)?

I would love to have been the brain-child of Zoom! As the world was thrown into chaos with COVID-19, Zoom was there to keep the lights on for many businesses around the world, keeping us all connected. Its innovative liquid landscape kept, and is keeping, kids in schools and companies functioning. Zoom is definitely the leader in remote enterprise video communications.