from Oxford Learner's Dictionary
Usage note: although / even though / though
You can use these words to show contrast between two clauses or two sentences. Though is used more in spoken than in written English. You can use although, even though and though at the beginning of a sentence or clause that has a verb. Notice where the commas go: Although/Even though/Though everyone played well, we lost the game. ◇ We lost the game, although/even though/though everyone played well.
You cannot use even on its own at the beginning of a sentence or clause instead of although, even though or though: Even everyone played well, we lost the game.
In the given sentence though, "although" could not be used because it would not be showing contrast between two clauses. "Despite" does the job instead.
