Breaking Down Strategic Fundraising with Rory Billing
Episode Summary
Welcome to another episode of Venture Declassified. We are excited to welcome a very special guest, Rory Billing, a savvy entrepreneur disrupting the sports app industry.
The idea for The Fan's Place was born out of a desire to find a way for everyone to win from their love of sports. The brothers, Rory and Connor, had been playing fantasy sports for years and realized that the casual fan needed something different.
They designed a Beta gameplay that was tested in the fall of 2020, and even though it went well, it still didn't feel right. They knew that building a B2B business was a better fit for their skillset and the big players in fantasy sports weren't in that market. Having spent many hours watching sports in bars, and never having participated in a single loyalty program, they knew that there was a market for a more engaging customer loyalty experience.
They took the consumer approved gameplay and pivoted The Fan's Place into a platform that helps businesses win and keep customers through gamification and loyalty tracks.
Guest Bio
Rory Billing is the founder of The Fans Place and a seasoned sports analytics expert. With over 26 years as a sports enthusiast and nearly two decades of experience in fantasy sports, Rory's lifelong passion for athletics has been the driving force behind his professional pursuits. He started his journey into fantasy leagues at the age of eleven and has since developed a sophisticated understanding of statistical analysis in sports.
A graduate of Miami University with a degree in math and statistics, Rory has merged his academic background with his sports acumen. His research validated the Moneyball theory, highlighting his expertise in data-driven sports strategy. His professional endeavors now encapsulate this blend of sports fanaticism and statistical proficiency, as he continues to impact the sports community through The Fans Place, offering a platform for fans who value insights grounded in quantitative analysis.
Key Topics
Pitch for The Fan’s Place
Rory's strategy for raising funds and expanding the business model for The Fan’s Place
App's gamification techniques and engagement with users
Discussing the strategy of an initial close with follow-up fundraising
Rory's plan to focus on building a user base in Indianapolis before expanding
Team Building and Operational Strategy: Method of attracting talent and assembling a team in Indianapolis
Use of WeFunder and other sources to secure additional funds.
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The information provided on the show is not intended to be investment advice and should not be relied upon as such. The investors on today’s episode are providing their opinions based on their own assessment of the businesses or topics presented. Those opinions should not be considered professional investment advice. If they start up pitched as a part of this episode, it is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy any securities.