Firm selects online daily fantasy sports startup as MiSpringboard recipient

OwnThePlay Inc., Michigan’s newest daily fantasy sports company, recently announced that it has been selected as a recipient of legal services from MiSpringboard, a program launched by Varnum that assists in developing businesses and stimulating economic growth in the state. The announcement was made by OwnThePlay founder Matthew Chatlin.

“We are honored to have been selected to receive these valuable services from Varnum,” Chatlin said.

“The MiSpringboard program is competitive, and this award further recognizes online fantasy sports as a growth industry.”

OwnThePlay will launch its mobile-first online daily fantasy sports games this year.

One of the biggest obstacles for online fantasy sports companies is that each state has its own interpretation of federal legislation related to online gaming. As a result, OwnThePlay faces a patchwork of inconsistent state laws in order to serve players across the country. Varnum is assisting OwnThePlay with navigating these non-uniform regulations and statutes.

“This is a large and complicated part of launching an online gaming platform.  With its extensive knowledge of the gaming regulations, as well as its deep background with startup and high-tech companies, Varnum is perfect for us,” Chatlin said.

In 2011, Varnum LLP launched MiSpringboard and committed to providing $1 million in legal services, free-of-charge, over five years to help Michigan entrepreneurs start and grow new businesses.

Applicants must meet certain criteria before they can be considered to participate. Candidates must have a developed business plan, must be directly involved in the business, and the business must be located in Michigan with the ability to create jobs.

Varnum has worked with more than 20 referral organizations such as the Michigan Economic Develop Corporation and Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center.

It leverages its relationships with VCs and angel investors to connect business startups with sought-after financial services and funding.

Varnum LLP is headquartered in Grand Rapids and has offices in Novi, Kalamazoo, Grand Haven, and Lansing. Varnum recently announced the scheduled spring opening of its sixth office, downtown Detroit in the Federal Reserve Building.

OwnThePlay, headquartered in Birmingham, is a company that creates fantasy sports gaming experiences. Its first product, designed for mobile digital platforms, is intended to change the way people play fantasy sports.

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