How MyFab11 Became a Trusted Fantasy Platform
From Match Predictions to Market Disruption
In 2016, fantasy sports were exploding in India. Platforms like Dream11 were gaining serious traction—but not without criticism. Many users were frustrated by high commissions and opaque policies. That’s when Swati Chamoli, then a match prediction blogger, saw an opportunity others missed.
“We wanted to create something that didn’t feel like a cash grab. Just clean, fair gameplay.” — Swati Chamoli
She wasn’t just writing about upcoming matches—she was building a loyal sports audience. But when she realized she was sending these engaged users to other platforms like MyTeam11, she made a bold move: she launched her own fantasy sports platform—MyFab11—with a promise of transparency, affordability, and a user-first mindset.
What is Fantasy Sports, and Why Does It Matter?
Fantasy sports allow fans to create virtual teams made up of real-life players. These teams compete based on the statistical performance of players in actual games. The global fantasy sports market is expected to surpass $50 billion by 2030, with India being one of the fastest-growing regions.
The Harsh Reality of Building in Fantasy Sports
The early momentum was promising—but the reality set in fast.
“Within a year, we realized the existing user base wasn’t enough to fill large leagues,” Swati shares.
“We had to cancel contests with more than four participants—it was a tough call.”
Unlike the flashier platforms, MyFab11 was bootstrapped. Every decision had financial consequences. That’s when Swati pivoted again—this time toward influencer marketing.
Influencers: Not Just Promoters, But Strategic Partners
Rather than spending heavily on ads or endorsements, Swati focused on creating viral marketing strategies with micro-influencers and sports creators. These weren’t one-off campaigns—they were long-term partnerships designed to build trust and engagement.
Slowly but surely, the strategy started to pay off. User acquisition climbed, and MyFab11 began carving out a niche in the crowded fantasy sports arena.
Standing Out in a Crowded Market
With dozens of platforms fighting for attention, MyFab11 didn’t try to reinvent fantasy sports. Instead, it focused on doing the basics better:
- 💸 Lowest entry fees in the market
- 🤝 Transparent gameplay and policies
- 📞 Fast, reliable customer support
- 🔁 Consistent feedback loops and improvements
“We might not look flashy,” Swati says, “but our users stick with us. That’s our real edge.”
The Costly Mistake: IPL Sponsorships
Swati admits their biggest misstep was trying to scale too soon by sponsoring IPL teams.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most-watched cricket tournaments globally, blending sports and entertainment with massive viewership and celebrity team owners. Often compared to the NFL or UEFA Champions League, it offers huge branding potential—though not always a guaranteed win.
“It looked like a branding goldmine—but turned into a costly misstep. That was the worst decision we made.”
The branding didn’t translate to user growth. The return on investment (ROI) was near zero. For a bootstrapped startup, that hit hard.
“If you’re bootstrapped,” Swati warns, “don’t spend a single rupee on branding. Invest in performance marketing and influencer partnerships instead.”
This mistake reshaped her entire growth strategy. Instead of burning money on visibility, the team focused on measurable traction and customer value.
Non-Traditional Advice for Startup Founders
Swati’s approach goes against conventional startup wisdom. She doesn’t believe in scaling fast or hiring big. Here’s her lean playbook:
- ✅ Get a technical co-founder
- ✅ Use white-label products to go live quickly
- ✅ Partner with influencers—not just hire them
- ✅ Avoid big marketing spends until PMF (Product-Market Fit)
The Riskiest Move? Doing IPL
The decision to go all-in on IPL sponsorship was the riskiest—and most expensive—lesson.
“It drained us financially. We could’ve grown faster without that one big mistake.”
But even failures brought clarity. MyFab11 bounced back by sticking to what worked: lean operations, authentic partnerships, and relentless product focus.
The Secret Weapon: Customer Feedback
One habit MyFab11 never abandoned was its customer feedback loop. The team consistently listens, adapts, and launches updates based on real user behavior and requests.
“It’s the fastest way to improve retention and build trust.”
From Rejection to Redirection
Before MyFab11, Swati was struggling to find a job. At the time, it felt like failure—but now, she sees it as fate.
“That was a blessing in disguise. I wasn’t meant for a job. I was meant to build.”
Key Takeaways for Startup Founders
If you're building something from scratch—especially without funding—Swati Chamoli’s journey offers essential lessons:
- ✅ Launch fast, iterate faster
- ✅ Don’t chase branding—chase real users
- ✅ Leverage what you already have: an audience, a blog, a network
- ✅ Use influencers as growth partners, not just marketers
Swati’s story reminds us:
You don’t need a million-dollar check to succeed. You need vision, grit, and a feedback loop that never stops.
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