Interview with Levon Nikoghosyan - CEO at AffPapa

Q: As a CEO of a leading iGaming affiliate directory, media platform, and events company, what would you say is AffPapa's biggest breakthrough or proudest achievement so far?

Levon: I’d say the biggest breakthrough for us is not one single moment, but how the whole project has evolved over time. We started with a simple idea of helping affiliates and operators find each other more easily and today that has grown into a much bigger ecosystem that includes AffPapa Conference, iGaming Club, VenturePapa, and TheGamblest under one AffPapa umbrella.

What I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built. You see people meet through AffPapa, start working together, and then continue those partnerships long after, sometimes even expanding into new markets together.

That’s when you understand the real value of what we’ve created.

Q: With AffPapa €1.3 Million investment through VenturePapa, what are your plans for 2026?

Levon: First of all, securing this investment is a significant milestone for AffPapa. When we created VenturePapa, the idea was very simple to address a real gap in the industry by helping iGaming startups access not only funding, but also industry-specific support.

So far, we’ve connected more than 30 investment companies with over 100 startups, but the focus has never been just about capital. It’s also about helping these companies actually grow, which is why we combine funding with access to strategic partnerships, data, community, and broader industry insights through the AffPapa ecosystem.

Going into 2026, we’ll continue strengthening what VenturePapa does best, building stronger connections between investors and startups and making that process more structured and effective. At the same time, the €1.3 million investment into AffPapa allows us to scale further, especially in terms of our events and expansion plans for 2027. It gives us the ability to elevate production, secure stronger venues, and overall improve the experience we deliver to our community.

We’re genuinely grateful for the trust from our investors, and we’re very excited about the next stage of growth ahead

Q: AffPapa Conference successfully expanded into the LATAM in 2025, an ambitious start in the region! Why did you choose LATAM?

Levon: LATAM felt like a very natural next step for us. We’ve been following the region for a while, and it’s clear it’s one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic markets in iGaming today.

At the same time, there was strong demand from our partners who are already active in the region or looking to expand there, which made the decision even clearer.

Cancún was the natural choice as our entry point into LATAM and our first destination outside of Europe. It allowed us to bring the industry together in an environment that combines business with a more relaxed setting, which fits very well with how we approach our events.

The response we received confirmed that LATAM is a long-term focus for us, and we’re excited to continue building on that momentum with our second AffPapa Conference Cancun this November, which promises to be even more exciting.

Q: Besides the Madrid Conference in May, you’re also planning other events. What regions are you planning to expand in 2026?

Levon: Besides Madrid, 2026 for us is really about building in a more structured way rather than just adding new destinations for the sake of it. Europe will remain our core base through AffPapa Conferences, where we bring the full industry together at scale and create that full mix of affiliates, operators, and B2Bs in one place.

At the same time, we continue developing iGaming Club as a different format with a more intimate and curated environment, with smaller guest lists designed to help affiliates and operators connect in a more strategic and relaxed setting. The next stop in London this June is a good example of that direction.

LATAM is already part of our footprint, so as I have already mentioned, it’s more about continuing momentum, which we will do with the second edition of AffPapa Conference Cancun.

Overall, 2026 is a very promising year for us, as we continue expanding thoughtfully across regions and formats, while creating more meaningful opportunities for the industry to connect and grow.

LL: Levon, thanks for your time. We wish you success in AffPapa Conference Madrid this year and strength for all your new achievments!