Jude Ower MBE

MSc International Marketing, 2005 

Why did you choose to come to Abertay for your Degree?

I had known Abertay had a good reputation and was strong in Computer Games too. Abertay was really progressive in its support for start-ups and gaming, and I learnt a lot from doing my dissertation on a real start-up. The mentors who supported the start-ups were entrepreneurs who were brilliant to learn from. From this I really learnt that your connections and relationships are the most valuable thing for your career. 

Since graduating, can you describe your journey to establishing PlayMob?

When I graduated, I spent time working with a start-up and saw how the area of games for learning was beginning to grow rapidly. In 2010 the Haiti earthquake happened, and Zynga launched a campaign in Farmville to raise funds for victims of the disaster. It was this instance which triggered the thought, what if there was an open platform for social giving through all games, imagine the impact we can make and the new levels of engagement reached with players?

The idea was still early when I applied to do the accelerator, Springboard. After initial angel investment we secured a seed round of £500k which catapulted the momentum in 2012 and helped us to get to where we are today.

What is your lasting impression of Abertay and Dundee?

Abertay to me has always been a really progressive University, testing boundaries and not afraid to take risks. Dundee has got a fantastic cluster of gaming studios and holds a strong position for technology and medical science and innovation. To me this makes the city stand out on a global playing field.

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