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Startup Q and A: GameWager

July 3, 2008

I covered GameWager earlier this year.  George Giannukos and Thomas Marriott founded Austin-based GameWager in 2007 with funding from various angels including Todd Wagner (Broadcast.com).  GameWager is an online platform for rewarding gamers’ performance with prizes and cash as well as sharing stats/achievements with friends. GameWager currently supports PC titles and enhances game-play with more excitement and realism by assigning tangible value to every win/loss. GameWager makes gaming more fun and social by providing an outlet to settle trash-talking and provides a variety of on-site tools that empowers gamers to track and improve their performance.

Q: Why did you start GameWager?

A: It did not exist, so we decided to create it. Plus, we’re gamers and thought it’d be lots of fun. Does that answer work? :)

Q: Give us the namd and URLs of three blogs you read regularly and let us know why you like them.

A: wsj.com - not technically a blog, but a great site for general business news. startup-review.com - great blog that covers successful internet companies and explains why they were successful in a case-study format.  Feld.com - Brad gives a great behind the scenes look at the VC world. Great resources for current and aspiring entrepreneurs. Austinstartup.com - great for keeping tabs on what’s happening in Austin. Startuphouston.com - great for keeping up-to-date on my start-up family back in Htown! We miss you guys!

Q: What was your least favorite job?

A: Honestly, I’ve never had a job that was not stimulating. All my previous work experiences were for hedge funds/Private Equity shops or my family, which were totally cool gigs. Ultimately, the goal has always been to be in control of my life/destiny so I decided to take the plunge while I’m young and have fewer responsibilities.

Q: What is unique about your company’s culture? Do you have any interesting rituals?

A: Our company started around a bet. Thomas and I decided to settle an argument (well, lets call it a discussion ;)) on a game of Counter-Strike. That turned into the best of 3, then 5, then 7. Before long, a few dollars were riding on the line. That adrenaline pumping experiencing lead us to the concept behind GameWager. Today, any hard to decide decisions are now made simple - lets just play some games and see who wins (ok, maybe not ALL decisions :p). But to answer your question, here are just some of the perks of working at GW:

  • Free sodas and yes, beer!
  • Gaming at 2:30PM at work is considering, well, work (with-in reason of course).
  • A very chill and relexed working environement (gotta hit those deadlines, though!)
  • Lots of opportunity for growth
  • Did I mention playing games is considered work?
  • Open environment

Q: What are your 1/3/5 year goals for the company? Is your business a ‘lifestyle’ company or do you plan on some sort of exit?

A: 1 Year Goal - 250,000+ users, 3 Year Goal - Millions of users, 5 Year Goal - Sitting on a beach, with some hot blonde, and a Corona in hand..? J/k. Thomas and I see ourselves as serial/parallel entrepreneurs. An exit is definitely the end-goal.

Company: GameWager, Inc.
President: George Giannukos
Phone: (713) 725-6796
Email: george@gamewager.net
Blog: http://blog.gamewager.net
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=4015864&trk=tab_pro
Twitter: http://twitter.com/gamewager
Website: http://www.gamewager.net
Founded: August 2007
Employees: 7
Est. 2008 Revenue: 500,000
Est. 2009 Revenue: 20,000,000

Written by Alexander Muse · Filed Under Blog, Startups 

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