The Department of Economic Development has announced that Owen Cutajar and Andrew Gleave are the winners of the Singularity University Isle of Man Grand Challenge.
 
Sponsored by PokerStars and supported by the Department of Economic Development, winning the Isle of Man Grand Challenge provides Owen and Andrew with places on Singularity University’s week- long Executive Programme in Silicon Valley, California in December, along with their travel and accommodation expenses.
 
Singularity University is where many of technology’s top thinkers work and exchange ideas with the world’s leading scientists, innovators and philanthropists, charged with finding technological solutions to the world’s great challenges.
 
Minister for Economic Development John Shimmin MHK commented:
 
‘I am delighted that Owen and Andrew have been selected to participate in the Isle of Man Grand Challenge. The Isle of Man is increasingly acknowledged as an innovative forward thinking jurisdiction with a ‘can do’ attitude towards development and supporting new businesses.
 
‘Participating in Singularity University’s Executive Programme will give Owen and Andrew the opportunity to understand how emerging technologies will impact industry. The networking opportunities are also substantial and they will have the chance to meet top visionaries and venture capitalists from around the world.
 
‘We are also very grateful to PokerStars for making this Grand Challenge possible with their very generous sponsorship.’
 
Isle of Man Grand Challenge winner Owen Cutajar, Head of Digital Strategy for local firm Intelligence commented:
 
‘I'm delighted to be selected as one of the winners of the Grand Challenge and would like to thank all those who have made this opportunity possible. The Isle of Man needs to find new, innovative means to ensure its economy can achieve its full potential and I believe success is inexorably linked with the aggregate success of each and every one of us. I took on the challenge to explore the new ideas I have and to create new contacts to help make this possible.
 
Andrew Gleave, co-founder of Red Robot Studios in the Isle of Man commented:
 
‘This is an amazing opportunity to gain deep insights into the technologies that will shape our lives in the near future and which could benefit the Island and its economy. I'm looking forward to sharing what we learn to help encourage technical innovation on the Island.’
 
‘I'm fascinated to find out more about the future of artificial intelligence and a number of related technologies to explore how they can be used to develop simple tools to make understanding and actioning on data simpler.’
 
Sue Hammett, Head of Corporate Giving for sponsors PokerStars added:
 
‘On behalf of PokerStars I would like to congratulate Andrew and Owen on their achievement. They had to face tough competition to win a place and I am confident that they are the right people to take up this challenge.’