Barclays Black Founder Accelerator 2021 member
Fantagious
Fantagious is the world's first fan-sharing tool for musicians and content creators. The platform allows users to leverage the audience they already have in order to gain more fans and exposure.
Whilst also providing various talent driven industries with a powerful tool, that will allow them to scout for new talent by rates of growth and levels of social influence.
Why did you join the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator?
I feel like I've given myself a great crash-course on how to be a startup founder, and I really believe something like this will help me fill in some of the gaps and lay better foundational knowledge. This will hopefully lead to me being able to believe and trust in my knowledge more, which in-turn should encourage more investors to do the same.
Why did you want to start your business?
I just really wanted this tool to exist in the world. I felt like I had the power to give the underdogs more of a fighting chance. I soon realised that in order for that to happen I would need to build it myself. Taking this concept from idea to business was almost a necessity.
What would be your desired outcome from this programme?
I would like to leave with a bit more confidence in the unknown. I feel like I dread the future sometimes because of the amount of curve balls I've been hit with. I know something unpredictable and stressful could be waiting around the corner. So I'm hoping this will improve my business understanding and knowledge. Allowing me to enjoy the journey more, and be less apprehensive about what challenges may be lurking in the future.
I know this will greatly improve my confidence which will open many more doors for partnerships and funding.
Which entrepreneur inspires you the most and why?
Elon Musk - he's unorthodox, swings for the fences - doesn't see any challenge as too big, thinks outside the box, willing to bet big on himself, fiercely devoted to his mission. Also a while ago I faced one of our biggest challenges to date. The first time working on this had reduced me to tears. Later that night I was on YouTube trying to lift my spirits and I stumbled across an Elon Musk interview. He was discussing how his ventures were struggling and he started crying. Although the stakes were very different, I feel like we were feeling similar emotions. That really boosted me forward and got me back on task.
What has been your biggest win in your entrepreneurial journey?
Moving my team and business into our bigger premises during the Pandemic.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Big funding opportunity fell through after working on the raise for over 12 months. I really thought the platform was finished.
Where did you go for business advice and how did it help you?
investors, advisors. They are very busy and can offer small bites of advice, but they're unable to provide more in depth explanations.
What drives you to make your business a success?
The power it has to change lives. Plus the impact it could have on the world could be colossal. I also believe I can see something that nobody else can with Fantagious, so I'm additionally driven forward by the desire to see if I'm right.
What advice would you give other founders thinking about starting their own business?
Start now, don't waste time. Choose something you love or are passionate about, it'll be impossible to get through the tough times if you don't.