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Rob Haycox has built his career around recognising moments of structural change in technology-driven markets and positioning businesses to capitalise on them. Over more than three decades, he has combined deep technical expertise with an instinct for timing, navigating regulated environments where operational resilience and compliance are as critical as innovation. That approach now underpins the expansion of his UK-founded company, Plannatech, into the US market, as the company moves beyond its established B2B roots.
From early work in London’s banking sector and large-scale industrial projects in Canada, to directing technology for the Olympic Broadcasting Committee and advising digital businesses across multiple jurisdictions, Haycox has consistently operated at the intersection of complexity and scale. Since founding Plannatech in 2015, he has translated that experience into a modular, adaptable technology platform designed for rapid deployment in tightly regulated markets.
A pivotal moment in the company’s development came with the introduction of Adam Bjorn, whose 25 years of industry experience have proved instrumental. Bjorn has overseen expansion into new territories while driving key aspects of product and technology development. Together, Haycox and Bjorn have shaped a business focused on digitalisation, neural networks and deep learning, strengthening Plannatech’s credentials as it evolves from a UK success story into a credible global contender.
Entering the US Market
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Plannatech’s entry into the US market marks a significant milestone in its international growth strategy, underpinned by a strategic partnership with specialist hosting provider Internet Vikings. As the company expands into the emerging iGaming sector in Arizona, where US sports betting is legal – indeed, there are now 14 online operators, the same number as Colorado and Michigan – it’ll leverage Internet Vikings’ VMware cloud hosting to ensure secure and resilient infrastructure.
With experience in the sector across 25 states already, and credentials including ISO 27001 certification and advanced DDoS protection, Plannatech’s US partner provides the technical stability required in a demanding regulatory environment. The collaboration supports Plannatech’s Arizona launch following its acquisition of a state licence in 2024, positioning the company to capitalise on market gaps left by recent operator exits.
Haycox Senses Opportunity
Plannatech’s move into Arizona can be read as a case study in Haycox’s ability to identify inflection points in regulated digital markets and act decisively on them. As established operators exited Arizona in 2024, Haycox recognised that consolidation was not a signal of decline but an opportunity created by regulatory headroom and unmet demand.
Arizona’s licensing framework, which allows for a limited number of tribal-tethered event wagering licences, aligned closely with Plannatech’s existing strengths. This move reflects Haycox’s broader track record of leveraging technology and operational agility to enter markets at moments of transition.
Rather than building speculative infrastructure, he has consistently utilised Plannatech’s modular, scalable ecosystem to respond to regulatory openings, transforming structural change into growth. The Arizona entry underscores a leadership style defined by a clear understanding of how digital platforms can be redeployed to capture value in evolving markets.
Positioned to Scale Sustainably
As Plannatech establishes its presence in the US, the Arizona launch encapsulates Haycox’s wider philosophy around disciplined expansion that considers multiple factors, from technology to regulatory fluency. By aligning market opportunity with proven infrastructure and leadership depth, Plannatech is positioned not merely to enter new jurisdictions but to scale sustainably as global digital markets continue to evolve.
