The Genesis of BigBrain: A New Mobile Trivia Venture

Nik Bonaddio’s motivation for creating a new mobile trivia application is straightforward and deeply personal.

“My passions are few but strong: I have a genuine love for trivia and a profound enthusiasm for sports,” Bonaddio explained. “Having already established a company within the sports sector, it was a natural progression to launch a trivia-focused enterprise.”

From "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" to Startup Founder

Bonaddio’s dedication to trivia isn’t merely a hobby; it’s rooted in success. He notably secured $100,000 as a contestant on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”.

These winnings were strategically invested in the founding of numberFire, a sports analytics company later acquired by FanDuel in 2014.

BigBrain Launches with $4.5 Million in Seed Funding

Following a beta testing phase, Bonaddio is officially introducing BigBrain to the public.

Accompanying this launch is the announcement of a $4.5 million seed funding round, led by investors including FirstRound Capital, Box Group, Ludlow Ventures, and Golden Ventures.

Learning from the Past: Differentiating from HQ Trivia

The emergence of a new mobile trivia app inevitably draws comparisons to HQ Trivia, which experienced a dramatic shutdown last year.

However, Bonaddio emphasizes that BigBrain is adopting a distinct approach. A key difference lies in the monetization strategy, with most games requiring a paid entry fee, and rewards sourced from these fees.

Bonaddio clarifies that this model is legally differentiated from gambling, as trivia is classified as a game of skill.

A New Monetization Model for Trivia

“The free-to-play model proves unsustainable for trivia applications,” Bonaddio asserted.

This shift in approach aims to create a more viable and engaging experience for players.

Streamlined Production and Increased Game Frequency

Unlike HQ Trivia’s reliance on live video and a live host, BigBrain will forgo this element.

Bonaddio explained that live hosting presents significant technical challenges and cost implications. Instead, the platform will incorporate interactive elements and visuals to maintain user engagement.

This streamlined production process enables BigBrain to offer a significantly higher volume of games – 20 quizzes daily, with games occurring every 15 minutes during peak hours, compared to HQ Trivia’s two daily quizzes.

Diverse Topics and Variable Prize Structures

BigBrain will feature a wide array of topics, spanning from classic hip hop and college football to iconic ’90s films.

Prize structures will vary between quizzes, with some offering a winner-take-all format, while others will distribute rewards to the top 50% of participants.

Entry fees will generally range from $2 to $3, though some quizzes may be free, while others could cost up to "$20 or even $50."

Catering to Niche Fandoms

Quizzes with higher entry fees will target dedicated fanbases.

Bonaddio cited a user survey revealing that fans of “Rick and Morty” are particularly passionate and confident in their knowledge, making them willing to pay a premium for the opportunity to compete.

“There are no casual ‘Rick and Morty’ fans,” he noted. “They are highly invested and believe they possess unparalleled expertise on the show.”