For Investors
A Micro Investment Deck
More details below. This is for a quickie!
In response to the hunger for in-person connection, The Play Full Society is a members-based community that is centralizing the vital experience of playing tabletop games in Los Angeles, while incubating, developing, and disseminating viral, accessible game-based experiences that ignite joy in homes, workspaces and cities around the country.
The Play Full Society will be a physical space. Like WeWork with NoWork. Subscription membership @ 36/month. (Set between a streaming fee and a gym membership) $18/walk-in, easily converted to a membership. Master classes are extra. Special events also include a fee structure.
The zeitgeist of wanting to play more together is driving us to move fast. Mahjong is picking up with Millennials. Gen Z loves intergenerational play ( their parents' “got game”). %42 of Los Angeles adults say they are lonely. Connection around games is recession-proof. Our price point is very low, because volume is everything. We want people to come once a week realistically.
We're currently out running pop-ups in homes. This is gaining momentum. We are actively seeking a 1500 square foot space to inspire the society to take hold in people's habits. Seed investors will help us secure this space. We're talking to investors who understand experiential, interactive game spaces. Our target is wide, so we may have scrabble and mahjong players a stones throw from people who love to play Jenga .
People are playing in loud bars, cafes, and in their homes. Many say they are feeling stale and lonely. They can't afford to join SoHo house just for their weekly chess nights. We are offering a new play house that can be a template for licensing, like Starbucks was for coffee. Most game playing spaces are in retail shops and cater to young men. This Society stretches across gender & generations.
We have two main competitors: 1. The private and public spaces that are multi-use like cafes, bars, community clubs ( which are generally not set up ergonomically for long-play games, object play, and social play) 2. The retail shops that sell games and create space for play.
As the founder, I have spent 3 decades curating gatherings focused on the power of play. I understand multigenerational interaction, as much as I do niche communities that like to hang with each other. I revel in the challenge of hosting spaces while being in the background and watching things successfully work. Psychographics are as important as demographics, and I bring the expertise of understanding how to leverage these data points into ensuring this company soar.
Playing games is a human experience, one that unites all of us. Investors will help position The Play Full Society to quickly scale. That is so important to our roadmap. We will watch, adjust, implement, and iterate, to create a template that can be applied realistically. Securing our series A investors trust will require us to understand this aspect as a cornerstone of our business.
Below, is a breakdown of our thinking for our seed/angel investors. Thank you for your curiosity and playful spirit as you consider our vision.
Deborah Pardes
Founder, Chief Experience Officer
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1. The Challenge
America's Loneliness Epidemic is a $4.2B Market Opportunity
42% of adults report feeling lonely regularly (Cigna Study 2023)
$154B annual healthcare costs attributed to social isolation
Screen fatigue: 7+ hours daily screen time drives demand for analog experiences
Post-pandemic reality: Remote work increased isolation, people crave intentional community
Missing infrastructure: No dedicated spaces for genuine, consistent, game-based, mostly off-screen connection
The market is desperate for spaces that prioritize human connection over productivity.
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2. A Play Full Solution
Create a “co-playing” game society, anchored by a brick & mortar home base for members 18+ (Think WeWork but NoWork)
Curated & Self-directed member experiences: Both unique and familiar games, puzzles, cards, Mahjong, creative corners, special events, evening master classes
Get me some analog: You’re invited to step away from your screens if you please
Community-driven: Sophisticated engagement strategies that reinforce a feeling of belonging and fun
Cooperation: The Society supports the gaming culture throughout Los Angeles, by connecting leaders together
Play Full transforms isolation into joyful human connection through the power of play
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3. Market Opportunity
Convergence of Massive Trends
$4.2B Loneliness Economy
Wellness industry: $1.5T globally
Co-working market: $13.2B (proving membership model works)
Adult recreation: $45B annually
Mahjong is a new favorite across generations - some call it a craze due to event spike of 150% year after year since 2023
Main Target Demographics:
25-35: Young professionals, new to city, seeking authentic connection beyond dating apps, bars
35-55: Parents needing adult community, career-focused individuals wanting non-work social outlets
55-?: Empty nesters, retirees, seeking purposeful social engagement and mental stimulation
Geographic: Urban/suburban areas with high isolation rates
The Search for a Good Hang is a perpetual challenge met with relief
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4. Business Model
Multiple Streams, Strong Unit Economics
Primary Revenue: Membership
Individual:
$18/remote members
$36/first tier (low barrier to apply)
$72 /next tier (all inclusive)Day passes: $18
House parties
Co-hosted events $54/headSecondary Revenue:
Private events & corporate retreats
$50-75/headEvening master and beginning classes for members and non-members
Coffee and snacks bar (interior sales)
Partnership programs with local businesses
End Year 1 REVENUE TARGET
Monthly Members - 100 (first tier members)
Monthly walk-ins - 200 @ $18/per visit
Monthly Play Full Events & Class participants - 120
Monthly Corp event - 1
Monthly House parties where we host - 3
Monthly Revenue to break even - 13k
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5. Competitive Advantage
Early Mover in Expanding Category
Direct Competition: In Los Angeles, there are no membership clubs quite like this
Adjacent Competition:
Coworking spaces (focused on productivity, not play)
Coffee shops (transactional, games are an afterthought but we witness the activity/demand)
Gaming cafes (narrow demographic, screen-based)
Bars (game nights ~ 30 events that are weekly or monthly - not all week long)
Our Differentiators:
Private club model with member-only access
Multi-generational appeal (tribes mingle)
Analog-focused in a digital world
Professionally curated experiences drawing from member feedback
This is a scalable model
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6. Management (emerging)
Proven Track Record in Community Building
Deborah Pardes, Founder & Chief Experience Officer
Artists for Literacy: Built national movement, 1,000+ musicians including Bruce Springsteen
Swell: VP Stories & Voices, scaled user engagement
Show & Tell: curated house parties since 2007
Blue Fire Leadership: Corporate facilitation, team dynamics
30+ years experience: Community building, content strategy, and creative leadership
Advisory Board (In Formation):
Ondine Landa Abramson (VP of Marketing, City Winery)
Michelle Perkins (Business Advisor)
Annie Bates (Puzzle Master)Jill Hoppenheim (Business Owner, Bagstreet Productions)
Holly Rothschild (Educator, co-founder of String Theory Productions)
Rachel Light (Social game facilitator)
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7. Implementation Plan
Methodical Launch Strategy
Phase 1: Develop Systems, Establish Key Partnerships (Months 1-3)
Launch Kickstarter
Build community awareness and customer base
Source and secure key vendor relationships
Test demographic demands and gather customer insights
Phase 2: Co-Playing Space Rolling Launch (Month 4-8)
Launch social strategies; engage influencers
Special evening events catering to most responsive segment
Build incentive campaign for members to bring new members
Launch weekly newsletter featuring happenings, play insights, new members
Phase 3: Scale & Optimize (Year 2)
Stabilize all on-site operations in new space
Achieve 270 + active members
Document systems for pop-up events to test new markets
Spread the Play Full philosophy for corp & private events
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8. Seeking Investors
We're Seeking Investors who:
Can secures 150k in exchange for 15% equity
Believes human connection is essential infrastructureSees the opportunity for expansion
Values social-driven ventures with strong unit economics
Supports the expansion of how we define play, and is inspired by how play:
- Challenges your brain- Improves focus, planning & creativity.
- Provides a healthy distraction
- Keeps you connected to others
- Does not feel like work
- Reduces burnout at work & home
- Strengthens relationships
- Inspires resilience
- Ignites imagination
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Thank you!
Please reach out directly to Deborah Pardes for a face-to-face Play Full conversation.
Please explore the rest of the website to learn more.
Go for a walk a follow your shadow!