Nick Pompa, founder of Lootlock, is on a mission to help parents prevent surprise gaming charges while still letting kids enjoy their favorite titles. Lootlock protects kids from overspending on gaming and will be presenting at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, where it will be showcased as part of Startup Battlefield 200.
Image Credits:Lootlock
For Pompa, the inspiration is personal. As a fintech developer and gamer—and a dad of two young kids—he knows the struggle of balancing fun with financial responsibility. He began gaming at age six and wants his own children to enjoy it, without the risk of racking up unexpected bills.
Problem: Kids And Microtransactions
Many parents have faced the nightmare of opening their credit card bill only to find hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars in unauthorized gaming charges.
The gaming industry has leaned heavily into “dark patterns” and microtransactions. Agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and FTC have warned that design tricks target kids, nudging them toward in-app purchases. Earlier this year, Fortnite was even forced to refund $126 million. But in most cases, parents are stuck paying the bill.
How Lootlock Solves Overspending
Pompa noticed parents wanted more flexible solutions than device-level parental controls, which often block all in-app purchases. Many are fine letting kids spend a small allowance on gaming—if it’s controlled.
That’s where Lootlock comes in. The app partners with Transcard to issue kids a prepaid, digital credit card. Parents can:
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Set weekly or monthly allowances.
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Lock or unlock funds based on chores or milestones.
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Approve spending through a quick text message.
This way, kids still enjoy freedom, but spending stays capped and transparent.
The Origin Story
The idea was sparked by a friend named Joe, a dad of three gamers. Joe gave his kids cash allowances, which they’d immediately use to cover digital purchases. He ended up monitoring credit card charges constantly—an exhausting system.
Lootlock streamlines that process, giving parents and kids a safer, smarter way to handle gaming money.
On Stage At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Being selected for TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield 200 is a milestone for Lootlock. The team will present the app at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco, October 27–29.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Disrupt, with 250+ speakers including leaders from Netflix, Sequoia, a16z, ElevenLabs, and more. For Lootlock, it’s a chance to show how fintech can reshape family gaming in a positive way.
Lootlock isn’t just another parental control app—it’s a financial literacy tool disguised as fun. By tying spending power to chores and allowances, kids learn money management early. Parents gain peace of mind knowing overspending is impossible.
As gaming continues to push in-app purchases, tools like Lootlock may become essential for families everywhere.
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