DiscoverThe Betting Startups PodcastEp. 168: Launching a non-dilutive capital model w/ Davis Catlin from Discerning Capital
Ep. 168: Launching a non-dilutive capital model w/ Davis Catlin from Discerning Capital

Ep. 168: Launching a non-dilutive capital model w/ Davis Catlin from Discerning Capital

Update: 2025-06-10
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Ep. 168 features Davis Catlin from Discerning Capital, which invests at the intersection of betting, sports, media, and technology. This episode was recorded on-site at SBC Summit North America 2025 in Fort Lauderdale.


 


Hear him discuss:




  • Why starting Discerning Capital gave him new empathy for founders




  • Building a deal-by-deal investor network in a regulated industry




  • The playbook behind their first investment in Australian operator Picklebet




  • Why Midnite is a “challenger brand” winning with faster paybacks




  • How SlotCycle is unlocking a hidden market for used slot machines




  • The opportunity in underinvested profit pools in Australia and the UK




  • His high-level thesis on the total addressable market nearing $100B




  • How the capital flow into sweepstakes models may be slowing




  • Prediction markets like Kalshi and the regulatory gray zone they face




  • What a Bet365 acquisition could look like—and why DraftKings might care




  • Why Discerning Capital is launching a new program for user acquisition/growth  financing




  • How it works: non-dilutive revolving credit tied to ad performance




  • Why it's a win-win model for operators with strong unit economics




 


Catch the video version of this episode here.


 


Learn more 👇


➡️ Discerning Capital website 


➡️ Davis Catlin on Linkedin






The Canadian Gaming Summit is happening June 17–19 in Toronto! Don’t miss out — get 50% off your Full Event Pass using code BETTINGSTARTUPSVIP at checkout. Grab your ticket now: https://sbcevents.com/canadian-gaming-summit/ticket-options/


 


📩 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/


 


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This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry.

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Ep. 168: Launching a non-dilutive capital model w/ Davis Catlin from Discerning Capital

Ep. 168: Launching a non-dilutive capital model w/ Davis Catlin from Discerning Capital

BettingStartups.com