ECGI Holdings Invests in
AI-Powered Fantasy Sports Startup Payday Fantasy
Payday blends AI with social gameplay
to bring a new experience to fantasy sports.
IRVINE, CA -- June 10, 2025 --
InvestorsHub NewsWire -- ECGI Holdings Inc. (OTC:
ECGI), a
diversified holding company focused on innovation and growth, today
announced that Uplist Ventures
has signed a new investment in Payday Fantasy,
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
-
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 Spherical
Insights (June 2023).
DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG), 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:
Payday Fantasy,
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.
TrueToForm 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.
Pacific Saddlery
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 info@ecgiholdings.com.
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
jamie@ecgiholdings.com
SOURCE: ECGI HOLDINGS, INC.