This past November at SiGMA Central Europe in Rome, Vladimir Malakchi, CEO & Managing Partner of Xanada Investments, sat down at their booth to discuss everything from iGaming startup trends, investment strategies and lessons for entrepreneurs looking to break into the sector.
Spotting the right opportunities
When asked about current trends in the iGaming startup landscape, Malakchi emphasised that the real opportunities are not just about the latest buzz, “I think the current trends are more focused on AI… but I’m not sure it’s working now. So guys, focus on what you know how to do.” He noted that while AI is making waves, startups should first master their core competencies and ensure solid execution before chasing the latest technological trends.
Malakchi outlined three key red flags when evaluating startups. First, a lack of clear responsibility among founders, “If you can’t share responsibilities at the beginning among founders… it will be difficult to spread it with other people.”
Second, a lack of market knowledge and confidence when speaking with investors. And third, unrealistic valuation expectations, often detached from actual revenue, “When you put a valuation which is really impossible to earn money from, you have no chance to receive any investment.”
Measuring success
Investors are not just looking at user numbers or revenue, Malakchi explained. Metrics like retention and customer value are far more revealing, “It’s important… how the business is growing and how customers love it, because it’s easy to sell to a customer in the first two months, but to keep them for years… that’s what we’re looking for.”
Xanada Investments also differentiates itself through non-monetary support. Legal and financial expertise, often overlooked by startups, can have a significant impact, “95% of the startups… they don’t know anything about the legal and financial structures. How to optimise taxes, how to build the structure correctly… These things can save you a lot of money and earn you a lot of additional money in the future.”
Trends shaping the future
Malakchi is confident that in the next few years AI, gamification and personalisation will define winners in iGaming. “AI itself will be very implemented in our life… Everything which is mass adopted will be a part of our life… AI is gamification, AI is personalisation… Once it has access to big data, your gamification is better and your content is more directly connected to users.” He warns that companies not leveraging these technologies risk losing their market share.
Reflecting on his own journey, Malakchi stresses that people and partnerships matter most, “Finding the right business partner… is crucial because it’s very difficult to launch anything on your own. People matter, and this is your main asset.”
Xanada Investments was founded on this principle, to support, guide and empower startups with access to experience, networks and resources, ensuring they can weather inevitable challenges. “Our team is trying to provide this information to a lot of different startups… to help them grow faster.” For entrepreneurs ready to make an impact in iGaming, Malakchi’s advice is to focus on execution, value your team, understand the investor mindset and leverage technology wisely.
Ready to take your startup to the next level? Explore our global events in 2026 and connect with the investors, innovators and thought leaders shaping the future of iGaming.
