ECGI Holdings announced an investment in Payday Fantasy, an AI-powered fantasy sports platform, through its Uplist Ventures division. Payday Fantasy combines AI technology with social gameplay features, offering smart picks and real-time advice. The platform successfully tested Version 1 with 15,000 users and has backing from Antler VC. The investment aligns with ECGI's strategy of building a portfolio of high-potential early-stage companies. The global fantasy sports market is projected to reach $89.9 billion by 2032, growing at 13% CAGR. Payday Fantasy's Version 2 launch is upcoming, aiming to capitalize on this market opportunity by offering a community-first approach to fantasy sports betting.
ECGI Holdings ha annunciato un investimento in Payday Fantasy, una piattaforma di fantasy sports basata sull'intelligenza artificiale, attraverso la sua divisione Uplist Ventures. Payday Fantasy unisce tecnologia AI a funzionalit脿 di gioco social, offrendo scelte intelligenti e consigli in tempo reale. La piattaforma ha testato con successo la Versione 1 con 15.000 utenti e ha il supporto di Antler VC. L'investimento si allinea alla strategia di ECGI di costruire un portafoglio di aziende in fase iniziale con alto potenziale. Il mercato globale dei fantasy sports 猫 previsto raggiungere 89,9 miliardi di dollari entro il 2032, con una crescita annua composta del 13%. Il lancio della Versione 2 di Payday Fantasy 猫 imminente, con l'obiettivo di sfruttare questa opportunit脿 di mercato offrendo un approccio community-first alle scommesse sui fantasy sports.
ECGI Holdings anunci贸 una inversi贸n en Payday Fantasy, una plataforma de deportes de fantas铆a impulsada por IA, a trav茅s de su divisi贸n Uplist Ventures. Payday Fantasy combina tecnolog铆a de inteligencia artificial con funciones de juego social, ofreciendo selecciones inteligentes y consejos en tiempo real. La plataforma prob贸 con 茅xito la Versi贸n 1 con 15,000 usuarios y cuenta con el respaldo de Antler VC. La inversi贸n se alinea con la estrategia de ECGI de construir una cartera de empresas emergentes con alto potencial. Se proyecta que el mercado global de deportes de fantas铆a alcance los 89.9 mil millones de d贸lares para 2032, con un crecimiento anual compuesto del 13%. El lanzamiento de la Versi贸n 2 de Payday Fantasy est谩 pr贸ximo, buscando aprovechar esta oportunidad de mercado ofreciendo un enfoque centrado en la comunidad para las apuestas de deportes de fantas铆a.
ECGI Holdings a annonc茅 un investissement dans Payday Fantasy, une plateforme de fantasy sports propuls茅e par l'IA, via sa division Uplist Ventures. Payday Fantasy combine la technologie IA avec des fonctionnalit茅s de jeu social, offrant des choix intelligents et des conseils en temps r茅el. La plateforme a test茅 avec succ猫s la Version 1 aupr猫s de 15 000 utilisateurs et b茅n茅ficie du soutien de Antler VC. Cet investissement s'inscrit dans la strat茅gie d'ECGI visant 脿 constituer un portefeuille d'entreprises en phase de d茅marrage 脿 fort potentiel. Le march茅 mondial des fantasy sports devrait atteindre 89,9 milliards de dollars d'ici 2032, avec un taux de croissance annuel compos茅 de 13 %. Le lancement de la Version 2 de Payday Fantasy est imminent, visant 脿 tirer parti de cette opportunit茅 en proposant une approche ax茅e sur la communaut茅 pour les paris sur les fantasy sports.
ECGI Holdings hat eine Investition in Payday Fantasy, eine KI-gest眉tzte Fantasy-Sport-Plattform, 眉ber seine Uplist Ventures-Abteilung bekannt gegeben. Payday Fantasy kombiniert KI-Technologie mit sozialen Spielmerkmalen und bietet intelligente Tipps sowie Echtzeit-Ratschl盲ge. Die Plattform hat Version 1 erfolgreich mit 15.000 Nutzern getestet und wird von Antler VC unterst眉tzt. Die Investition entspricht der Strategie von ECGI, ein Portfolio von vielversprechenden Fr眉hphasenunternehmen aufzubauen. Der globale Fantasy-Sport-Markt wird bis 2032 voraussichtlich 89,9 Milliarden US-Dollar erreichen und mit einer j盲hrlichen Wachstumsrate (CAGR) von 13 % wachsen. Der bevorstehende Start von Version 2 von Payday Fantasy zielt darauf ab, diese Marktchance durch einen Community-orientierten Ansatz im Fantasy-Sport-Wetten zu nutzen.
Positive
Platform already demonstrated market validation with 15,000 users in Version 1 testing
Backed by established VC firm Antler, which has a $4.8B portfolio
Targeting fantasy sports market projected to reach $89.9B by 2032 with 13% CAGR
AI integration provides competitive advantage in user engagement and retention
Negative
Early-stage investment with unproven revenue model
Faces competition from established players like DraftKings ($18B market cap)
Version 2 success and user adoption yet to be demonstrated
Payday blends AI with social gameplay to bring a new experience to fantasy sports
IRVINE, Calif., June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via IBN --听ECGI Holdings Inc. (OTC: ), a diversified holding company focused on innovation and growth, today announced that has signed a new investment in , a next-gen fantasy sports platform built to bring fans together.
Unlike traditional betting apps, Payday uses artificial intelligence (AI) to offer smarter picks, real-time advice, and a more social way to play. The app blends features from DraftKings, Discord, and Twitch, turning fantasy sports into a fun, shared experience instead of a solo game.
"This is the kind of early-stage opportunity we're looking for through Uplist Ventures," said Simon Yu, CEO of ECGI Holdings. "Payday brings real user traction, smart technology, and a clear market fit. It reflects our strategy at Uplist Ventures to build a long-term portfolio of high-upside companies that can shape emerging sectors."
Why Uplist Ventures Chose Payday Fantasy
More than 15,000 users tested Version 1 of the platform during its limited rollout
Prior investors included Antler, an early-stage VC investor who boasts a portfolio of 1,400 companies with a value of $4.8 billion听
Built-in AI helps users play better and stay engaged
Version 2 is set to launch soon, aiming to drive increased growth and stronger retention
Fantasy sports and sports betting are now multi-billion-dollar markets. The global fantasy sports market is expected to reach $89.9 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 13 percent, according to (June 2023).
DraftKings, a major player in the space, trades near an 18 billion dollar market cap. This rising market presents a powerful tailwind for platforms like Payday, which offers a fresh approach with a real-time, community-first way to enjoy games.
Richard Tran, Founder/CEO of Payday Fantasy, added, "At Payday, we believe betting shouldn't be a solitary transaction, it should be a shared experience. We're building a platform that brings fans into the moment, where discovery, connection, and community redefine what it means to play."
Strategic Growth The investment in Payday Fantasy builds on Uplist Ventures' recent backing of TrueToForm, an AI-powered 3D body scanning platform focused on improving fit and personalization in fashion. Together, these deals highlight Uplist's commitment to identifying early-stage technologies with strong use cases and the potential to reshape consumer experiences.
"Each investment we make is part of a larger strategy to build a portfolio of smart, early-stage companies that can thrive in high-growth markets," said Jamie Steigerwald, President of ECGI Holdings. "Payday Fantasy fits that vision perfectly, and we're excited about the momentum we're building."
Uplist Ventures plans to continue identifying high-quality companies that can grow into public-ready businesses under its platform.
About ECGI dba Uplist Ventures ECGI Holdings, Inc., through its Uplist Ventures initiative, is a diversified holding company that blends elements of venture capital and private equity. The company focuses on early-stage startups in artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare technology, blockchain, vertical software, and other innovation-driven sectors. Uplist Ventures seeks out companies with strong fundamentals and long-term potential to thrive in the public markets through accelerated, alternative paths to scale.
ECGI's Current Investments: , powered by AI at its core, brings together the best of Discord, DraftKings, and Twitch to create an entirely new betting journey, turning fantasy sports into a fun, shared experience instead of a solo game in the $89.9 billion global fantasy sports market.
is a patented artificial intelligence (AI)-powered 3D body measurement software-as-a-service (SaaS) for ready-to-wear apparel fitting and made-to-measure apparel design and manufacturing, a combined $8.2 billion market.
is a premier manufacturer and retailer in the $6.5 billion equestrian apparel market and the $11 billion equestrian equipment market.
Vintner's Caldera Ranch is a five-acre vineyard located in Lake County, California, specializing in Petite Sirah and serving as a short-term rental property, tapping into the $121 billion short-term rental market.
For additional information, please contact us at .
Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and ECGI Holdings' expected performance. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's filings for additional information.
For more information, please contact: Jamie Steigerwald
SOURCE: ECGI HOLDINGS, INC.
Wire Service Contact: IBN Austin, Texas
512.354.7000 Office
FAQ
What is ECGI Holdings' investment in Payday Fantasy?
ECGI Holdings, through its Uplist Ventures division, invested in Payday Fantasy, an AI-powered fantasy sports platform that combines smart picks with social gameplay features.
How many users has Payday Fantasy attracted so far?
Payday Fantasy attracted 15,000 users during its Version 1 limited rollout testing phase.
What is the projected size of the fantasy sports market by 2032?
According to Spherical Insights, the global fantasy sports market is expected to reach $89.9 billion by 2032, growing at a 13% CAGR.
How does Payday Fantasy differentiate from competitors?
Payday Fantasy differentiates by using AI for smarter picks and real-time advice, while blending features from DraftKings, Discord, and Twitch to create a more social, community-focused experience.
Who are the key executives involved in the Payday Fantasy investment?
Key executives include Simon Yu (CEO of ECGI Holdings), Jamie Steigerwald (President of ECGI Holdings), and Richard Tran (Founder/CEO of Payday Fantasy).
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