The inaugural edition of iGB and WagerWire’s Reverse Pitch showcased the insights of startup leaders, with Alea founder Alex Tomic speaking alongside WagerWire CEO Zach Doctor, Flows CEO James King, and 506Tek CEO Lou Stadler at the iGB@ICE studio. In this unique format, Tomic addressed various questions regarding his business development journey.
Tomic acknowledged the challenges of attracting the right talent, particularly due to the stigma surrounding the gambling industry. He noted that this reputation can lead to a workforce more interested in financial rewards than genuine passion for the work.
"It’s a small industry and we don’t attract the best talents. We don’t attract the best talents because there’s a stigma with gambling," Tomic explained. "So, a lot of talents don’t want to work in our industry. So, who’s going to come and work in our industry? People that are looking for money, people that are not really interested by the project."
He emphasized the importance of delegation for CEOs, stating that it empowers their teams. Tomic transitioned to a non-executive role at Alea in February 2024, with COO Jordi Sendra stepping up as CEO. He considers this change a key factor in Alea’s achievements, though he admitted it was a challenging shift. "When you start, you have a framework in your mind where you used to work alone. You aggregate people around yourself but you still continue working alone with the team around you so they are an extension of you. It took me a good 10 to 15 years to let it go," he noted.
Tomic’s philosophy on talent also influences his investment strategy. He prioritizes the skills and capabilities of the team behind a potential investment over the idea itself.
