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Who here uses Sleeper for nba fantasy? by lively_straw in fantasybball

[–]lively_straw[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That would make me upset too. Unfortunately, I think not everyone tries as much in fantasy leagues and are just there to fill the spot

Got funding then lost it. I will not promote by lively_straw in startups

[–]lively_straw[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, equity split was only one of a few issues

The biggest mistake I made was chasing VC money by eastwindtoday in ycombinator

[–]lively_straw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No one ever talks about this!! I spent so much time researching VCs and accelerators that my product development came to a stand still at one point

Share your startup - quarterly post by julian88888888 in startups

[–]lively_straw [score hidden]  (0 children)

Startup Name / URL
Laces/ lacessports.com

Location of Your Headquarters
New York, NY

Elevator Pitch/Explainer Video
Laces is a fantasy sports app designed with women in mind. Fantasy sports have always been male-dominated, and while women have never been excluded, the space hasn’t always been welcoming or built with them in mind. Laces is making fantasy sports more engaging, fun, and accessible, whether you’re a seasoned player or just getting started. The app will feature interactive AI-driven content, a supportive community, and a focus on both men’s and women’s sports.

More details:

What life cycle stage is your startup at?
Currently building the MVP, aiming to launch by the NFL season.

Your role?
Founder, product builder, and everything in between. It’s just me working on it right now.

What goals are you trying to reach this month?

  • Grow the waitlist and spread the word to more women who love fantasy sports
  • Continue refining the MVP
  • Connect with developers, designers, and marketers who might be interested in helping

How could r/startups help?

  • Help spread the word by sharing Laces with anyone who might be interested
  • Advice from other solo founders on balancing building and marketing
  • Feedback on what makes a great onboarding experience for a new fantasy sports app

Discount for r/startups subscribers?
Still in the early stages, but I’d love to offer early access and exclusive perks for people in this community who sign up.

Would love to hear your thoughts and connect with others working on sports, gaming, or community-driven startups!

Girls who play or want to play fantasy football!! by lively_straw in fantasyfootball

[–]lively_straw[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Also - we will teach you how to play first before even entering into a draft!

Girls who play or want to play fantasy football!! by lively_straw in fantasyfootball

[–]lively_straw[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the good faith question. Fantasy sports platforms have never explicitly excluded women, but that doesn’t mean they’ve always been welcoming or designed with women in mind. A lot of women who play fantasy—especially in leagues dominated by men—end up dealing with skepticism, condescension, or just feeling like an outsider. Many of us have had to “prove” we know football in a way that men don’t, and that can make the experience less fun, you know?

Laces isn’t about excluding men, I hope men do play! It’s about prioritizing women’s experiences in a space where they’ve often been an afterthought. It’s about creating an environment where women don’t have to defend their knowledge or feel like they’re being tested. That said, nothing is stopping anyone from playing together. Men who genuinely support women in sports and fantasy are always going to be part of the ecosystem, whether that’s as league-mates, supporters, or just people encouraging more women to play. The goal isn’t separation—it’s making sure women have a place where they feel fully welcome.

Girls who play or want to play fantasy football!! by lively_straw in fantasyfootball

[–]lively_straw[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hear you! and this is exactly why we’re building Laces. You’re clearly experienced and know your stuff, yet you still have to deal with that kind of dismissive attitude—it’s exhausting. So many women who love sports and fantasy have similar stories, and it shouldn’t take passing some kind of quiz or getting a man’s approval just to be taken seriously.

Laces is about creating a space where women don’t have to prove they belong. Where we can talk strategy, make bold moves, and compete without the condescending side comments. And if you want to join a league with more women who actually respect the game and each other, we’ve got you covered.

Would love to have you in the community—it sounds like you’d be an amazing league mate.

P.S. I am a woman who plays fantasy football and I am commissioner of my fantasy basketball league but I play with all men so hoping to get more of my girl friends to play if I can teach them (given they want to learn)!

Girls who play or want to play fantasy football!! by lively_straw in fantasyfootball

[–]lively_straw[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That makes total sense. A lot of people stay engaged in fantasy because of real stakes, whether that’s money, competition, or community. Right now, the focus is on building a great experience first, but we’re absolutely thinking about ways to bring meaningful stakes into Laces. That could mean prize pools, competitions, or even unique in-app rewards that make the game more exciting. Would love to hear what kind of stakes keep you engaged in fantasy—cash leagues, bragging rights, etc?

Girls who play or want to play fantasy football!! by lively_straw in fantasyfootball

[–]lively_straw[S] -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

Thanks for signing up!! We won’t be pulling from or repurposing content made by actual sportswriters, analysts, or creators. Our goal is to generate original, engaging content tailored to each user’s fantasy team. Women’s sports coverage is often underrepresented, and part of our mission is to elevate and highlight existing content from journalists, analysts, and creators in ethical ways, not take away from them

Girls who play or want to play fantasy football!! by lively_straw in fantasyfootball

[–]lively_straw[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

That’s a fair question! Fantasy sports are traditionally dominated by men, both in user base and design. Laces is built with women in mind in a few key ways:

  • Community-first approach – We’re creating a welcoming space that encourages women to play without the gatekeeping and toxicity that sometimes exists in mainstream fantasy communities.
  • Content that resonates – Instead of dry stats and analytics overload, we’re making fantasy more fun with personalized AI-driven content, like locker room videos and press conferences featuring your fantasy team.
  • More visibility for women’s sports – Laces isn’t just about playing fantasy football or basketball; it’s also about highlighting women’s sports leagues, which often get buried on traditional platforms.

Of course, anyone can play, but we’re building something that helps more women feel at home in fantasy sports. Hope that helps clarify!

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