After almost two years spent building personal projects and overhauling his portfolio in the hope of finally breaking into the industry, Henry Paul saw the IG50 programme as a final shot at being seen. “I’d been trying to get a job for so long and failing every opportunity that came my way. IG50 felt like a hail mary,” he says. He doubted he could ever compete with other programmers, but was relieved to discover he was wrong. Winning the IG50 became a turning point. After so many setbacks, the recognition was a major mental shift. “Winning showed me I was doing something right,” Henry explains. Winning put him in front of industry professionals who offered guidance, insight, and encouragement he’d never had access to before. “I suddenly went from looking into the industry from the outside, to being a part of it.” Professionally, the biggest change since winning the IG50 is monumental: he was hired at Rockstar Games. It’s the kind of leap that once felt impossible, one he credits partly to the confidence and clarity the programme helped him build. We asked Henry what he would say to people considering applying to IG50 2026. “Don’t leave anything to question. Your portfolio is your first impression - make sure it speaks for you.”