Jesse Learmonth
President @ Bet Smart Media. Founded 1st startup in 2008. Failed after a year, sold tech IP for 46% of paid-in capital; was my training camp for the big game.
How I like to add value
So far, I've convinced myself that I'm capable of taking an idea, and forming a team, a product, and a huge opportunity around it. The rest is a WIP. I'm a very product-focused CEO. I surround myself with people smarter than me. My job is to clear impediments so my team can kick ass at theirs.
Skills
What I'm looking for
What I'm looking for, in order of importance:
1. Investors that aren't summarily opposed to the regulated betting industry
2. Engineers/devs looking to be one of the first-ten at a startup in Victoria, BC
3. Meeting people (advisors?) that will open rolodexes to iGaming/sports betting contacts
Markets
Locations
What I've done
Started my first company in 2008. Failed after a year. Salvaged IP and sold for 46% of paid-in capital. Took my lumps, which only strengthened my resolve. I have a bachelor of commerce degree from university, and that entire experience was my mba.
Bet Smart Media has been my second baby since late 2008. We've bobbed, we've weaved, we've taken our time to figure things out, and have been lucky to have awesome angel investors that have given us the latitude to do so (Hi Steve and Rasool!). The only consistent feedback I've ever gotten from anybody is how awesome our team is. Assembling our crew has been my crowning achievement, so far. We're now generating 6-figure revenues following an interesting model in an industry ripe for product innovation. I'm bullish.
I recently started a local meetup group in my city. Victoria has a great entrepreneurial spirit, but the startup community sometimes has a hard time mobilizing itself. Lets see if we can't maybe do something about that.
Founder
