Barclays Black Founder Accelerator 2021 member
ApTap

We are building a fully integrated subscription control centre, that allows banking customers to manage their recurring payments and be presented with deals tailored to them, at the right time.
We are connecting users and suppliers, through the user's banking app; using open data to drive insights, engagement, savings and revenue for all parties. Banks can get closer to customers, suppliers can tailor deals and get in front of users at the right time, and users can cancel, switch or sign up to services with just a few taps!
Why did you join the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator?
Mainly to learn and grow my skills, and also grow my network and help create relationships that help drive the business forward.
Why did you want to start your business?
I wanted to be part of something that would help impact and change people's lives for the better. I also wanted to contribute to the work and not just be a cog in the machine - I want to see the impact my involvement has.
I thought starting a business would be the best way to get relevant and parctical experience in many sectors all at once and fast-track my career progress.
What would be your desired outcome from this programme?
To have gained new skills and gained new networks that help/lead to the growth and improved success of the business.
Which entrepreneur inspires you the most and why?
Jack Ma - I love his work ethic, drive, and his story most of all. His story emphasises how important it is to persevere no matter how bad things get; keep chipping away and never stop as you may be one hit away from striking gold.
What has been your biggest win in your entrepreneurial journey?
Honestly its hard to pick one thing as the whole journey and experience for me is definitely the biggest win as you cannot get this type of experience anywhere else.
If I had to pick something it woud be growing the team to what it is now with the right people that fit our company culture which has made working with everyone a pleasure.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Software development focus and workload have been the biggest challenges.
Where did you go for business advice and how did it help you?
In the past we got free business advice from Imperial Enterprise Lab mentors. We have also been part of London and partners accelerator, Fintech Innovation Lab and other accelerators from which we have received business advice and mentoring.
Currently we have a good advisory board and Investors with relevant industry knowledge who we get advice from. This all helped drastically shape the dircetion of the business, secure our first major client and grow the business.
What drives you to make your business a success?
Seeing something that started off as an idea to solve our own pains, now grow into something that can help millions of people save time, save money and reduce stress (especially in the tough times during and post pandemic).
Seeing the current impact on people and realising the potential impact it could have on a wider scale is a great motivator.
What advice would you give other founders thinking about starting their own business?
You must always be perseverant, take care of your mind and body so that you are prepared for the emotional and physical roller coaster of a start up, and finally validate your problem and solution before you start spending money building things.