Jamie & Karolina discuss everything from when it's right to turn down investors, unconscious bias in the next-generation and what you need in place to support a quick exit, to where the opportunity lies in the private capital ecosystem.

GR8 Tech CSO Yevhen Krazhan drives through Rome with Karolina right after her helicopter ride. She shares how land-based casino work shaped the vision for BeyondPlay, why three startup years felt like ten, what made her sell at 40, and how Her Play turns her journey into a mindset framework for founders. They also dive into fundraising in regulated markets, being a “firefighter CEO,” and backing the next wave of female-founded startups.

Karolina Pelc is in the hot seat for the latest instalment of Diary of an iGaming Exec... and so much we already know; founder and funder of her start up BeyondPlay, now part of Fanduel, and author of Her Play, a book chronicling her journey and path to success.

In this episode, Karolina reflects on the journey of founding Beyond Play, the challenges of raising capital in a niche regulated industry, and the tough decisions founders need to make early if they want to succeed. We break down how frustration can become the starting point for a business, why conviction matters more than the product itself when raising early capital, and how founders should define success before building. Karolina also explains the realities of launching a B2B product in iGaming, how she thinks about risk, and why no founder is ever fully prepared for the emotional shift that comes after an exit.

Karolina Pelc is the author of HerPlay, and the Founder and ex-CEO of the startup BeyondPlay, which was acquired by FanDuel. She has been through the startup storm and has come out the other side with methods for finding calm.

Join SiGMA at the Central Europe Media Lounge, in conversation with Karolina Pelc, founder of Beyond Play and author of Her Play. In this insightful discussion, Karolina shares her journey from startup founder to author, explores parallels between launching a company and a book, and delves into her current focus on AI-driven innovation. She also offers actionable advice for early-stage founders, especially women, and professionals looking to pivot or reinvent themselves. Learn how resilience, boldness, and the smart use of AI can scale talent and ideas in today’s fast-moving business world.

Speaking to host Katie Goldfinch, the founder of BeyondPlay details the challenges of launching a product, obtaining a UK licence, while at the same time continuing to raise funds. “We launched one of the biggest jackpots in the industry on day one, and it went pretty smooth sailing. Customers were happy, end users were happy. And I think it was a big realisation for us. That, yeah, this is going to work,” Pelc tells iGB@ICE host Goldfinch at ICE Barcelona 2025.

Karolina shares with Rebecca Liggero how confidence is something you build, not something you’re born with, and why reinvention is one of the boldest risks you can take.

In this episode, we go deeper than the headline stories, we talk about AI and authenticity, if she uses AI for LinkedIn, and the difference between using AI for execution vs using it to generate ideas. She also shares the real process behind writing her book, including how she used voice notes, transcription, and a custom AI workflow to keep her voice intact.

Trevis sits down with Karolina Pelc — former VP of FanDuel, founder of BeyondPlay, author of HerPlay, investor, and one of the most compelling voices in global gaming and tech. We go all the way back — her early years, her first spark of curiosity, what drew her into the world of gaming, and how a girl from Poland navigated an international career across some of the biggest brands in the industry including Betsson Group, LeoVegas (MGM), William Hill, and eventually the build and sale of her own company in one of the fastest exits the iGaming space has ever seen.

Today's conversation is with Karolina Pelc — entrepreneur, former casino dealer, and author of Her Play. Her story is not a story about shortcuts or formulas, but about risk, resilience, and the invisible moments that shape who we become.

How’s your work life-balance? Karolina Pelc shares how she balanced intense workloads at a startup and being an entrepreneur while trying to have a personal life.