Barclays Black Founder Accelerator 2022 member
Veriom

Veriom is a software governance platform, that predicts, analyses and communicates software quality risks related to defects and security issues across the delivery pipeline and product lifecycle.
This is done by analysing real-world and historical data and applying metrics throughout the product's lifecycle to analyse quality risks such as but not limited to, code vulnerabilities, software economics, test quality and product defects.
Why did you join the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator?
We a looking to scale our customer base and we want to do this the right way by improving our strategy and focus area, and by connecting with exceptional founders who have and are going through a similar journey to us. Alongside this, I believe that by participating in the demo day, we will gain more confidence in presenting and showcasing our solution to potential new clients and future investors, as well as a wealth of knowledge from the masterclasses that will be available.
What would be your desired outcome from this programme?
An improved strategy for scaling our customer base, long-term partnerships, continued mentorship and connections to potential investors or funding opportunities.
Which entrepreneur inspires you the most and why?
Dame Stephanie Shirley, was an unaccompanied child refugee at the start of the Second World War, who against all odds started a female-led software development business in 1962 when the concept of software barely existed. Even though she encountered several challenges and difficult situations, her grit and determination to succeed pulled her through. A quote that inspires me is: We waste too much time being afraid, when what we should really fear is wasting time.
What has been your biggest win in your entrepreneurial journey?
Piloting the solution with over 90 projects and taking the leap by starting initially as a solo entrepreneur.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Our brand awareness to attract more scale-ups and high-growth companies. We are actively making changes to this now through our social media and website.
Where did you go for business advice and how did it help you?
I navigate towards books that are not only theoretical but that provide practical examples, such as The Lean Startup by Eric Ries, Start Now Get Perfect Later by Rob Moore, The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick and Inspired by Marty Cagan, to name a few. These books showed me the importance of piloting and speaking to your target customers to understand their problems. I also actively listen to Garry Tan as well as the All-in Podcast and I am a part of a community of bootstrapped founders called MicroConf, where we help each other with product feedback, general enquires and support. Alongside the above, I also have an advisor that I connect with regularly to catch up on targets.
What drives you to make your business a success?
I am working towards building a global enterprise specialising in data-driven software quality, I know the problem that I am solving first hand having worked in the manufacturing sector and the tech industry and I am familiar with the market. Every time I heard 'no's' or 'not possibles' I have always found a path that would allow me to achieve, I think of the quote by Sanjo Jendayi - "Every closed door isn't locked and even if it is...YOU just might have the key! Search within to unlock a world of possibilities!"
What advice would you give other founders thinking about starting their own business?
Firstly, you can do it! Believe in yourself more than anyone else. Secondly, know your market, your competitors and your target customers profile. Once you know your customer's profile make sure that you spend enough time speaking to them and getting their perspective on the problem you are trying to solve - read The Mom Test to help you communicate this. Lastly, bootstrap as much as possible if you can.