Pierre Lindh and Martin Pettersson
Pierre Lindh and Martin Pettersson are the co-founders of NEXT.io, one of the most influential media and events platforms in the global iGaming sector. Lindh leads content and community strategy, while Pettersson drives commercial growth and partnerships. Together, they’ve redefined industry events and built a bridge between the European and North American markets.
Bio
The Voice of a Global Community
Pierre Lindh’s career in gambling started unconventionally. As a teenager in Sweden, he launched one of Scandinavia’s largest poker clubs, gaining national attention when the club was shut down in a high-profile police raid. Rather than walking away, Lindh dug deeper. He joined Betsafe and later Betsson Group, where he sharpened his skills in player marketing and hospitality-driven experiences.
By 2013, he co-founded Ambassadör Events, orchestrating hundreds of tailored gatherings that blended industry professionalism with a sense of occasion—none more notable than the iGaming Idol awards.
NEXT.io, launched in 2019, marked his boldest move yet. With a mission to create a year-round, global conversation hub for the iGaming world, Lindh oversaw not only the brand’s event programming but also its editorial voice.
Under his leadership, NEXT.io’s content arm—including its consistently published podcast—became a go-to resource for serious discussions on regulation, innovation, and investment. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, he pivoted seamlessly to online panels and digital content, turning a crisis into an opportunity to amplify the brand’s reach.
The Architect of Commercial Growth
If Lindh is the voice, Martin Pettersson is the engine. With a background in sales, partnerships, and media strategy, Pettersson brought the commercial firepower needed to scale NEXT.io’s ambitions.
Before co-founding NEXT, he held senior roles at Evolution Gaming, Highlight Media Group, and BBP, where he built key relationships and managed revenue-driving operations.
Pettersson was also a co-founder of Ambassadör Events and has long shared Lindh’s belief in doing things differently. At NEXT.io, he crafted a commercial strategy that delivered record-breaking growth in sponsor engagement and long-term partnerships.
His work behind the scenes has ensured that NEXT’s events aren’t just well attended—they’re financially sustainable, globally respected, and constantly evolving.
A Different Kind of Stage
NEXT.io didn’t just join the event circuit; it redefined it. While major expos like ICE, SBC, or Sigma dominate through sheer scale, NEXT took a different path. Its summits are intentionally intimate, thought-led, and content-driven. Rather than endless product booths, NEXT conferences center around on-stage honesty, behind-the-scenes insights, and deep-diving panels designed for decision-makers.
That distinction became even more pronounced in 2024, a breakthrough year for the company. NEXT.io launched its first North American event—the NEXT Summit New York—and immediately positioned itself as a credible new voice in a competitive market. At the same time, its flagship Valletta conference matured into one of Europe’s most influential gatherings for operators, suppliers, and regulators alike.
One of the year’s biggest milestones was NEXT.io’s strategic partnership with Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas. Their involvement in G2E’s education programme not only raised the brand’s profile but also helped bridge two major industry ecosystems: North America and Europe.
Lindh and Pettersson have turned NEXT.io into a respected voice in global iGaming. Their format-focused approach, international expansion, and ability to align diverse market stakeholders have positioned the brand as a durable fixture on the industry calendar.