Peter Thiel is a co-founder of PayPal, first investor in Facebook, and one of the most innovative masterminds in tech business. A.J. Steigman is the head of one of thousands of anonymous start-up companies. It may seem that these two man have nothing in common, apart from their field of work. But there are two more connections: They both were prodigal chess players during childhood, and the latter would like to get one million dollars from the former.

A.J. Stiegman’s project is called Soletron. It is a social platform, variously called a e-commerce marketplace or a streetwear information source. Stiegman has devised an unusual plan to raise funds for further development – he challenged Peter Thiel, former CEO of one of the biggest e-company to a game of chess. The bets are one million dollars versus unspecified equity  in Soletron.

It should be noted that all profits generated via sponsorships of the eventual match will be donated to charity. “My goal is that the event will be sponsored, and that revenue will go to charity,” said Stiegman.

“I’m doing this for all the entrepreneurs or business owners who have great ideas, but don’t have the capital to see it go through,” Steigman says. “I want to show that there are unconventional ways to raise money.”

So far, Peter Thiel seems not very interested in the offer. He didn’t respond and the challenger is still only hoping for the match to come true.

Whatever the result will be , it is still a remarkable attempt in terms of marketing. The word about courageous challenge is quickly spreading, generating visits to Soletron.

Still, if you wish to play a game of chess for money, there are more covenient, yet less profitable means: Join ChessFriends.com and start playing cash games now.

This post is also available in: Slovak

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