The IOM has a distinct innovation identity. Here's what we found when we arrived, and how it fits into the wider Crown Islands ecosystem.
The Isle of Man was always going to be part of TEKEX. It just took us longer than we'd like to admit to get there.
When we held our first IOM event at the TT Grandstand in February 2026, the room was full within 48 hours of announcement. That told us everything about the appetite.
What makes the IOM different
Jersey and Guernsey have evolved as financial centres. Their innovation communities are, broadly speaking, finance-adjacent. The Isle of Man is something different: genuine deep tech ambition, a gaming legacy that's created real technical talent, and an increasingly serious digital assets ecosystem.
The founders we met in Douglas were operating in sectors we'd seen less of in Jersey — blockchain infrastructure, online gaming, e-health platforms, and autonomous systems. The capital is there too, but it's underdeployed.
What we're committing to
Two IOM events per year minimum. A dedicated IOM member cohort with bespoke programming around digital assets and gaming. And full integration into the TEKEX platform — directory, deal flow and syndicate.
The Isle of Man chapter of TEKEX is only just beginning.
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