My name is Shawn, and I am a UniLah co-founder. It all started as a voluntary project on Instagram in mid-2021. We shared information about events and competitions happening on various university campuses, and over time, we gained a following of students who didn’t want to miss out on joining important university events and competitions, as well as organizers who were looking for more student participants.
As we validated the idea, I saw that UniLah could be something more for students. In November 2022, we officially turned UniLah into a startup and joined accelerator programs and competitions. Since then, we have received positive feedback and comments from judges, organizers, and users to improve the platform. It’s been an exciting journey, and I am grateful for the team that brought our vision to life.
As a former university student, I realized the limitations of my university and clubs/societies in capturing all the events, especially on a global or regional scale. This inspired me to create UniLah, a platform that helps students discover and participate in various events and competitions.
UniLah is more than just a business for me. It’s a passion project that I deeply care about. Seeing the positive impact we have on students drives me to keep going. Our aim is to provide convenience for students by allowing them to access all relevant information on one platform, which saves them time and eliminates the need to remember numerous social media pages. It’s rewarding to know that we are making a difference in students’ lives by simplifying their daily routine and helping them maximize their university experience. Furthermore, we are committed to making a greater impact on the community by offering more services to students. I’m fully dedicated to this journey, and I am excited to see where it takes us in the future.
Our vision for Education Technology is to provide a comprehensive platform that enhances students’ university experience in Southeast Asia. Our goal is to create an ecosystem that enables students to learn, connect and grow, starting with participating in events and competitions, and accessing discounts and student deals that save them money. Our EdTech platform will also offer students the opportunity to interact with educators and other students, fostering an environment of learning and growth.
We are always looking for innovative solutions to support students in their transition from university to the workforce. One area we are particularly interested in exploring is AI-powered job matching based on skill sets and hiring. Our goal is to help students find job opportunities that align with their skills and interests, which can lead to greater job satisfaction and career success.
We’ve had some truly memorable experiences lately. One that stands out is the positive feedback we’ve received from users who found our app to be a helpful tool in saving money and discovering new events. We’ve also noticed a rise in user engagement, with more people participating in competitions we’ve shared on our platform. Another highlight has been the increasing recognition of Unilah as a go-to platform for event organizers looking to reach university students. We’re proud to see more organizers using our platform to promote their events and connect with their target audience. Lastly, we’re excited by the continued interest from brands to collaborate with us, which is a great validation of the value we bring to the market. These experiences have fueled our team’s motivation and encouraged us to keep striving towards our goal of providing a comprehensive platform that meets the needs of students and event organizers alike.
One of the biggest challenges we faced as we transitioned from a voluntary project to a startup was finding the right team to help bring our vision to life. We recognized that the perfect team could come from students themselves, as they understand the needs and experiences of university students the best. To overcome this challenge, we’ve been actively sharing our vision and mission with students through social media, university networks, and various events. This has helped us attract and connect with talented students who share our passion and are interested in joining our team. In doing so, we believe we can continue to build a platform that truly caters to the needs of university students.
Running a successful business is a complex endeavour that demands a combination of crucial elements.
- Above all, a clear vision is crucial for providing direction and guidance in decision-making. However, a vision that is not communicated effectively to employees and stakeholders is as good as none.
- Secondly, the ability to adapt to changes, whether planned or unexpected, is key to the survival of any business. A business owner who can adjust their strategy in response to market trends or unforeseen events has a better chance of staying ahead of the competition.
- Lastly, building a strong and committed team is essential to achieving long-term success. A team that is not only talented but also shares the owner’s passion and enthusiasm for the business can transform the company into a thriving enterprise. By focusing on these key elements, a business can establish a stable foundation that supports growth and sustainability.
“Stay curious, stay hungry” is my motto. I believe it’s crucial to remain open-minded and seek new knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. This keeps me motivated in both my personal and professional life in our fast-paced world and propels me towards achieving my goals and pushing past any obstacles that may arise.
Since the inception of UniLah, I’ve had the opportunity to learn and grow as an entrepreneur but also to contribute to the community by creating a platform that benefits its members. The experience has been invaluable, as it has taught me the importance of networking and collaborating with other like-minded individuals who share my passion for community building. Through UniLah, I’ve connected with other founders and entrepreneurs who are also passionate about making a difference. This has broadened my perspective and allowed me to see the impact of working together towards a common goal.
In essence, we want UniLah to be remembered as a platform that offers students a user-friendly interface, innovative solutions, and comprehensive features that enhance their university experience by providing an efficient and effective way to navigate student life.
My greatest aspiration for UniLah is to establish it as the primary platform for students in Southeast Asia. I also strive to improve my skills as an entrepreneur and leader, making a positive impact on the community and empowering my team members to achieve their full potential.
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