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Joao Pela, PhD has been recently appointed as Skrmiish’s new Head Data. Pela has a background in data science and machine-learning. He worked as a researcher at CERN and an experimental physicist before joining tech startups Seatfrog and Rotageek as a data scientists and rapidly rising to leadership positions. Now, he joins Skrmiish in order to focus on data driven innovation and deliver exceptional experiences to the global community of players.
Pela, when asked about his new position, said: “I join Skrmiish during a critical moment in its development and will focus on building our data practice and ensuring we have a data driven culture in everything we do.” I will help the company to shape its strategy through building an effective and modern data infrastructure, democratising access to data, and introducing Machine Learning where appropriate.
From CERN, Switzerland to a global startup
Pela worked at CERN for nine years, the world’s biggest particle physics laboratory, to help discover the Higgs boson, the “God particle”. In 2013, the Physics Nobel Prize was awarded for this discovery. In 2016, Pela joined Rotageek in the role of Data Scientist. He quickly became a leader building Rotageek’s flagship auto-scheduling product. In 2018, he joined Seatfrog where he was appointed Head of Data. He built the engineering and analytics team. Seatfrog and Rotageek have raised more than $40 million between them. Both are high-growth tech companies. Pela is a highly experienced professional with a background in forecasting, analytics, algorithm and model development, and strategic and project planning.
Chris Heaton, MD and co-founder of Skrmiish, says: “Joao has a background in data, science, and smashing together particles deep underground at CERN.” We are all excited to have his expertise in our business. He is another tool in our arsenal to help Skrmiish achieve incredible success.”
Unique play-to-earn model
Skrmiish, based in the Isle of Man but with a tech team based in Cape Town, is the first app in the world that allows gamers to monetise the matches they play in their favorite games.
The company has developed the first blockchain-based play-to earn gaming wallet for the AAA gaming industry. Skrmiish pays out over half a Million GBP of earnings to date and has 75,000 players who earn money every month.
Creating an data-driven culture of gaming technology
Heaton says that Joao’s hiring marks an important milestone in Skrmiish’s expansion of its gaming capabilities. “Pela will lead Skrmiish’s data initiatives, drive innovation throughout the organization and ensure that Skrmiish retains its competitive advantage.” He will be joining our CEO Luke Grob in London.
Pela concluded: “I’ll be Skrmiish data voice, as we grow to become a major player on how gamers can earn money doing what they enjoy.” I am excited to join a growing business where I can have a significant impact.
