Appalla Saikiran, a 20-year-old student-entrepreneur from Hyderabad, has founded Scope App, a global networking platform that connects aspiring entrepreneurs and startups with investors, mentors, and collaborators [fee2374b]. Saikiran started the company at the age of 17 and has built a network of over 20,000 investors and high-net worth individuals worldwide. Scope App has successfully shortened the fundraising process, closing deals in just 3-4 months instead of the average 6 months. Saikiran draws inspiration from Elon Musk and aims to create a Y-Combinator-like platform to support and recognize India's talented entrepreneurs.
Wilfred Chege, a 24-year-old entrepreneur from Kenya, is the founder and CEO of Shulemall Limited, an app that allows learners to access learning materials directly from producers [3829f011]. Chege developed the app while in high school and monetized it after completing his KCSE examination. The app generates between KSh 2 million and KSh 3 million monthly, with Chege earning over KSh 200,000. Shulemall has over 11,000 downloads and a user base of over 3,500. Chege has also co-founded Zendawa, an online pharmacy. He defied his grandfather's advice to study a 'lucrative' course and pursued his tech business instead.
Sarim Nadeem, a visionary entrepreneur from Pakistan, is the mastermind behind Pakistan's leading Omni-Channel business automation SaaS software [c9ba94d7]. Nadeem's software, currently processing 100k orders monthly for a leading brand in Pakistan, is a paradigm shift in the market. His journey began with a spark of brilliance in coding during his early years. He ventured into mobile phone trading as a teenager, which propelled him into the world of e-commerce. In 2009, Nadeem founded Pakistan's first online custom print shop, Dexpel. Nadeem's innovative Omni-Channel business automation software seamlessly blends online and offline sales channels, offering solutions for order processing and customer communication. The software leverages AI and machine learning for customer profiling and inventory management. Nadeem's vision is to empower businesses to thrive in a trillion-dollar economy, particularly in the U.S. market. He is focused on strategic decisions, innovation, and sustainability. Nadeem's journey is a celebration of innovation, dedication, and a profound positive influence on the industry. He is recognized for his exceptional achievements in e-commerce integration and SaaS software development. Nadeem's story is one of remarkable achievements and innovation in the e-commerce world, positioning him for success in the dynamic market.
ImpactGuru is a platform in India that utilizes online crowdfunding to help individuals facing high medical bills [d24bbac5]. Since its inception in 2014, it has provided hope and support to those in need. The platform simplifies the fundraising process into three steps: creating a fundraiser, sharing it widely, and withdrawing funds as needed. It offers a hassle-free experience with round-the-clock expert assistance and the possibility to raise funds at zero cost. One success story on ImpactGuru is that of Geetanjali, who overcame kidney failure and COVID-19 with the support she received. The platform not only provides financial relief but also brings communities together in a shared mission of compassion and support. The success stories on ImpactGuru demonstrate the power of collective action and the indomitable human spirit.
Aman Jain, an IIM passout, quit his job at OYO to build his own startup called Doodhvale, which has a turnover of 30 crores [62075e9e]. Prior to starting his own company, Aman gained experience in strategy consulting with Accenture Strategy and BCG, as well as working at OYO in various leadership roles. The inspiration behind Doodhvale came from Aman's personal experiences and challenges in finding quality dairy products. Despite the hurdles of the dairy industry, Doodhvale has achieved remarkable success with a growth rate exceeding 80% in the current year. Aman's journey exemplifies resilience, determination, and the transformative power of entrepreneurship.
Maniv Romeo, also known as Sikandar Kumar, is a young entrepreneur from Hazaribag, Jharkhand, who is the brains behind Shootup Media, a digital marketing company that helps businesses grow online through branding, sales, and development services [14e287ad]. Shootup Media takes a full-package approach to marketing, covering everything from building a brand's identity to boosting sales and using the latest tech for growth. Maniv is dedicated to mentoring aspiring digital marketers and entrepreneurs, conducting workshops and seminars to share his expertise and foster growth in the field. He is also committed to giving back to his community and helping young entrepreneurs in Jharkhand chase their dreams. Maniv Romeo and Shootup Media are leading the way in the fast-changing digital landscape, showing businesses how to thrive online. With hard work and determination, Maniv's journey proves that anything is possible.
Juma Allan, a Kenyan tech guru, developed the M-Pesa Daraja API despite scoring a D in maths [05a16090]. His dream job was to become a mechanical engineer, but he ended up pursuing a career in computer science at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) upon his father's advice. Allan worked on open-source initiatives for Twiga Foods and the M-PESA Daraja API, and he developed the M-Pesa Daraja API and the Twiga payment system. The M-Pesa Daraja API enables customers to pay for goods and services directly from a business account to a till number, merchant store number, or Merchant HO. Safaricom owns 40% of Safaricom and Nick Hughes is credited as the brains behind M-Pesa.
Moniecheap, a subsidiary of Etegram group, has become the first Nigerian company to offer a free data mode on its payment utility app [ae9c84ea]. This innovative feature allows users to perform transactions and manage utility payments without incurring data costs, addressing the connectivity challenges faced by many Nigerians. Moniecheap's secure payment platform also includes features such as bill reminders and transaction history tracking to simplify the payment process. By enabling more people to access digital services, the app has the potential to drive economic growth and empower small businesses. Moniecheap's groundbreaking move sets a precedent for other companies to follow and shapes the future of digital finance in Nigeria.
Fuse Lending, the credit arm of finance app and mobile wallet GCash, was recognized for its innovative product GLoan Sakto at The Asset’s Triple A Digital Awards in Hong Kong [941379f4]. GLoan Sakto is a nano-loan product that provides Filipinos with easier access to credit, targeting those who prioritize daily needs or need support until the next payday. It was launched in August 2023, allowing GCash users to borrow amounts as low as Php100 up to Php500, with repayment periods of 14 or 30 days, zero interest, and a processing fee starting at Php6.50. The service also allows users to purchase items from over 200,000 GCash partner merchants. Fuse CEO Tony Isidro expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized their commitment to delivering financial inclusion for millions of Filipinos. GCash aims to expand its loan services to all socioeconomic classes, particularly women, farmers, and micro enterprises. The company's digitalization efforts aim to provide credit access to Filipinos who are historically underserved by traditional banks.
Apple's impact on the world is evident through the App Store, supporting a vast developer community globally. In India, innovative apps like Box Box, Lil Artist, Gratitude, Evolve, and Numerics showcase the diverse talent and creativity thriving in the tech industry [d44ed944]. Apple recently praised the developer ecosystem in India and highlighted its commitment to fostering the entire developer ecosystem in the country. The article introduces five developers and their apps: Box Box, a mobile app for Formula 1 fans; Lil Artist, an app for kids aged 2-7; Gratitude, an app for practicing gratitude and self-improvement; Evolve, an app focused on mental health for the LGBTQ+ community; and Numerics, an app for tracking and visualizing data. Each app has its unique story and has gained recognition and success on the App Store.
In an exclusive premier in Lagos, Nigeria, the Inner Drive film offered audiences a rare glimpse into the heart and soul of the company, featuring founder and CEO Arsen Tomsky. The film explores the initial vision and philosophy of inDrive, showcasing its profound impact on communities. It highlights inDrive's growth as the world's second-largest ride-hailing app, operating in over 700 cities in 46 countries. The film also follows the journey of Obadiah, a Nigerian boy whose life is transformed by inDrive's Beginit initiative. Directed by Dan McCain and Theo Papadoulakis, the film aims to honor the resilience and determination of individuals and their dreams. Business Day is a daily business newspaper based in Lagos, Nigeria. [347dea05]
Ashby, a startup, is using AI in recruiting. The founder, Benjamin Encz, has an unusual path to entrepreneurship. The article emphasizes the commitment to ethical standards and transparency in reporting. The article also mentions other news topics such as EU elections, Swiggy's valuation, Microsoft's voice reporting feature for Xbox, Adobe's partnership with India's Education Ministry, and Meta's potential introduction of paid ad-free options for Instagram and Facebook users in Europe. There are also mentions of Indian fintechs, Pine Labs' launch of a QR-first device with card support, a weather data revolution with Web3 and IoT, a prediction that a foldable iPhone won't be released before 2027, the financial benefits of cloud-based construction ERP, a Swiss startup Neural Concept raising $27M, Astrotalk raising $9.5M in funding, and an upcoming event called StrictlyVC in DC. The article also mentions ongoing website upgradation for StartupNews.fyi and provides contact information. The article concludes by mentioning various upcoming events and offering a newsletter signup form.
Postman, valued at $5.6 billion, aims to create 100 million connected developers and realize the vision of an API-first world. The company is India's most valued SaaS unicorn and is utilized by over 30 million developers and 500,000 organizations, including 98% of the Fortune 500 enterprises. In an interview, Postman CEO Abhinav Asthana stated that the company's mission is to create 100 million connected developers and bring the vision of an API-first world to life. Nexus Venture Partners, an early investor in Postman, expressed enthusiasm about the potential of AI, but noted that sustainable use cases are still emerging. Both Asthana and Jishnu Bhattacharjee, Managing Director at Nexus, emphasized the importance of core innovation and infrastructure development alongside AI. APIs provided by large language models (LLMs) have accelerated the adoption and proliferation of AI. The community collaboration and the seamless access to AI through APIs have made it easier to collaborate on AI projects. APIs are considered the hands and legs of AI, driving the thinking and enabling the proliferation of AI technologies. [311749be]