The repository of all things resulting from my past, present and future
Dr Sharmin (Tinni) Choudhury is currently an entrepreneur and consultant CTO. Formerly, she was a researcher on topics include data management, knowledge management, ontology-based technology, smart wearable research and visual analytics.
We are close to the finish line for Elevate+ Accelerator Program! Here is the 1-minute pitch for Abide, which is our co-living platform that connects students in need of low-cost housing with baby boomers who have space to spare. Come see us and others at the social enterprise celebration and pitch night on 6th June at the Triffid, get your tickets today!
I have mentioned JOSARI, the micro-consultation marketplace, a few times before but never elaborated. But now is an excellent time to finally talk about JOSARI because the reason I came on to the startup has been achieved. The JOSARI iOS app is now live in the Apple App store!
I started talking to Paul Buckwell, the CEO of JOSARI way back in October when I met him at the QUT Foundry IDEAS Launched Showcase. But it took a while for the ball to get rolling but eventually, I joined JOSARI as a CTO at the end of December. My task was straightforward, get the app that was being built by an overseas developer and had suffered years of delay out the door.
JOSARI’s weakness was always a lack of market validation and customer testing. Paul did what he could with tangential testing. I considered doing a “no app pilot” before dropping that idea as not delivering as much benefit as it would cost in time and money. JOSARI is one of those concepts that needed the app. So I focused on putting some structure into the project, get the bugs prioritised but in the end, basically working as a translator between Paul and the developer.
Along the way, we went as far as the QUT Collider Bootcamp 2019 but did not make the final cut to get into the accelerator. But we got a lot of valuable feedback, and it was a great experience all around. But now, with the app out. JOSARI is in full sales mode. I am scaling back my involvement for the time being. But based on traction, I am likely to jump back in later in the year to project manage the Android development, and further expansions. But for now, if you have an iPhone, down and join the JOSARI journey!
At this time last week, my co-founder Andy Smith and I were at the River Studio space of the Brisbane Powerhouse Theatre. We had an expert panel consisting of Elevate+ graduates as well as members and supporters of the social enterprise movement. The panellists were,
Andy and I met up in the morning to work on your pitch. We had a few chances to practice before we pitched to the panel. We got some excellent feedback and feel readier for the big day. The most critical feedback we received is that we were emphasising the wrong side of our two-sided marketplace. We need to focus on the fact that we are primarily about unlocking resources of baby boomers while helping them live better in retirement.
I am sure our cohort mates also received great feedback. So don’t forget to get your tickets to come to see us all at the Triffid on the 6th of June!
Elevate+ Cohort with Tom Allen and private pitch panel
I joined many of my cohort mates from the Impact Boom Elevate+ last Wednesday at the Lord Mayor's Social Enterprise Business Forum. I have heard about these, but this was the first one I attended. It was perfect timing too because my new business cards as the CTO of Abide had just arrived! So my co-founder, Andy and I, used the event as a massive opportunity to pitch Abide so that we get inputs and have the opportunity to explore collaborations.
The forum was also a learning opportunity boasting the speakers Alex Hannant, Co-Director, Yunus Social Business Centre, Griffith University who spoke about the "Ingredients for success and failure - 10 things I've learnt about social enterprise". It was a great talk that highlighted the realities facing social enterprises. I especially liked the tip about "letting zombies dies". He was saying that as social entrepreneurs, we are often driven by passion and belief. So we might often keep ventures going that are in realities zombies. I think this is a good tip for everyone who are passionate about what they do. It's not just about business but also jobs, creative endeavours etc., etc.
The second speaker was Emma-Kate Rose, General Manager, Food Connect, who spoke about "Running a business with heart and purpose: why social enterprises are on the rise". But unfortunately, I was not able to stay for that talk. Overall, I had a good time, and I am going to see if I can't make more of these forums!
With the Elevate+ Social Enterprise Pitch Night getting closer, it’s on the 6th of June, I decided to drum up support for Abide and the Elevate+ Pitch Night by pitching at the River City Labs Friday Open House Drinks and Pitches! The tickets are on sale now, for the Elevate+ pitch night so Brisbane folks, get your today!
I also spent the day working at River City Labs with JOSARI. We are getting very close to launching the iOS app. So watch this space for more information. But for now, enjoy the video of my pitch, the beginning is missing but you still get the gist of it! To here the full 3 minutes pitch, come see Abide at The Triffid!
