Skill-based social gaming company Splash Sports announced the successful completion of a $14.5 million Series B funding round, led by Dream Ventures, with participation from Boston Seed Capital, Velvet Sea Ventures, Green Wave Ventures, and Evolution Partners. The funding will be used to expand the product portfolio, strengthen marketing and partnership programs, and enhance its market presence in the United States and Canada. Notably, the PGA of America and the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers under EP Golf Ventures also invested, enhancing Splash Sports' influence in the golf sector. The company reported that its NFL season guarantee margin contests revenue reached $6.4 million, a 500% increase year-over-year, showing strong growth momentum.
Funding Overview and Use of Funds
Splash Sports successfully completed a $14.5 million Series B funding round led by Dream Ventures. This capital will primarily be used to expand the company's product portfolio, strengthen marketing efforts, and increase business impact in the United States and Canada.
The new round of funding marks an important step in the company's mission to redefine how sports fans engage with live events, providing solid financial support for its future development.
Investor Lineup and Strategic Value
In addition to lead investor Dream Ventures, participants in this funding round include well-known investment institutions such as Boston Seed Capital, Velvet Sea Ventures, Green Wave Ventures, and Evolution Partners. The participation of these investors solidifies market confidence in Splash's community-led peer-to-peer sports competition approach.
Particularly noteworthy is the addition of EP Golf Ventures, a company jointly formed by the PGA of America and the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, which will enhance Splash's influence in the golf sector.
Business Model and Platform Features
Splash Sports operates a peer-to-peer skill-based social gaming platform, allowing users in 44 states in the US, Washington D.C., and Canada (excluding Nevada and Pennsylvania) to organize and participate in real-money contests. The platform focuses on user-driven interaction and community gaming, rather than traditional sports betting or fantasy sports structures.
Users can create custom contests for major sports events such as PGA tournaments, including "Survivor," "Draft," and "Tier" formats.
Rapid Growth and Performance
The company reports strong growth momentum, with NFL season guarantee margin contest revenue exceeding $6.4 million, a 500% increase from the previous year. This growth indicates widespread market acceptance and recognition of its social gaming model.
The QuickPicks daily game feature allows users to predict "more or less" on player performances, with winners potentially earning up to 50 times their entry fee, enhancing user engagement and platform attractiveness.
Partnerships and Industry Relationships
Splash Sports has established partnerships with major media networks, professional sports teams, and well-known athletes and influencers, including TV show host Nick Wright, poker legend Phil Hellmuth, and golf champion John Daly. These partnerships provide fans with new ways to watch sports events in real-time.
In early 2025, the company joined the Coalition for Fantasy Sports, becoming a member alongside companies like PrizePicks, Underdog, Betr, and Dabble, reflecting its growing influence in the industry.
Leadership Perspective and Strategic Vision
Splash Sports CEO and co-founder TJ Ross stated, "We see countless media companies and leagues investing in new sports event rights, but proving the value of this support by bringing fans closer to the events and their participation is crucial. This funding round enables us to continue doing this through real-money contests and collaborations with leading media companies, teams, and leagues."
Ross emphasized that the company's games allow every fan to become their own event commissioner and organize their own contests for the most important moments in sports.
Investor Feedback and Industry Recognition
Richard Blankenship of Dream Ventures commented, "Splash is carving out a strong niche in the sports gaming market. They are creating games for the modern sports fan—social, competitive, and community-first. This is the next evolution in how people engage with live sports."
The positive evaluation from investors reflects the industry's recognition and confidence in Splash's business model and growth prospects.
Company Background and Development Trajectory
Splash Sports was formed by acquiring RunYourPool and OfficeFootballPool, maintaining a leading position in real-money sports events and fan-driven contests. The company previously completed a $14 million A2 round of funding in 2024, with investors including Acies Investments, K5 Global, and Accomplice.
The company's notable angel investors include Jonathan Kraft of the New England Patriots and partners from Fenway Sports Group, Mike Gordon, and Sam Kennedy, with advisor Theo Epstein also involved.
Market Positioning and Competitive Advantage
Splash Sports focuses on the skill-based social gaming sector, differentiating itself from traditional sports betting and fantasy sports. The platform emphasizes community-driven and user engagement, allowing a range of users from families to content creators to professional sports organizations to initiate their own contests.
This model provides a more flexible and interactive way for users to engage with sports, filling a niche in the market.
Future Plans and Development Directions
The company plans to use the new round of funding to expand operations during major sports seasons and enhance entertainment gaming experiences. Funds will be allocated to technology development, market expansion, and partnership building, further enhancing platform functionality and user experience.
As Ross summarized, the company's mission has always been to empower fans to shape their own sports experiences, with new capital and strategic partnerships supporting the realization of this vision.
