Nosa Oguns
AKA Blockchain
Course: Biological and Chemical Sciences
Year of study: 2nd year
College: UCC
Business name: AKA Blockchain
Sector: Education & Technology
Business idea: AKA Blockchain™ is an educational tool that helps people understand the blockchain and simply acquire Bitcoin. We are a technology and educational platform. We did not trade Bitcoin, so we are not under the auspices of current regulations.
Plans for September 2019
I hope to commence with the sale of collectible coins. This will enable everybody to get access to digital assets such as Bitcoin. We are also crafting our first course for “Mastering Blockchain”.
Any previous entrepreneurship experience before you joined Student Inc.?
No, before joining Student Inc. I had no prior entrepreneurship experience.
What connections did you make on the programme?
Throughout the summer, I was able to make many different connections with businesses on people.
Student Inc. provided us with invaluable insights partnered with spectacular speakers to help expand our Business Ventures. I found the first month of Student Inc. incredible as we were constantly attending talks that help accelerate our business. Talks such as “legal challenges facing start-ups” Eileen O’Sullivan and ” customer validation” with Danny Sheahan.
Overall, I am very happy with my time with Student Inc. and I made connections with businesses and with the people I worked with.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of applying to Student Inc.?
The advice I would give to any person thinking of applying to Student Inc. within UCC is to attend Blackstone LaunchPad events. Blackstone LaunchPad completely changed my first-year experience. They helped me turn an idea into a fully-fledged business. A hobby into something that can become a lifetime career. I am so glad that I spent my first year with Blackstone LaunchPad attending all their business events.
I would recommend that all students visit the Blackstone LaunchPad. You don’t need to have a business idea to learn how to run a successful business or even grow as a person. If you have already formed a company or just out of curiosity, I would recommend attending at least one of the many events held by Blackstone LaunchPad to help yourself overcome obstacles and start growing today.
I feel so honoured to have been selected as one of the initial cohorts for UCC Student to be granted a full-time position in the Student incubation programme. Through a competitive selection based on our business idea, we were able to develop ourselves and our business during the summer months. Each day at Student Inc. I learnt so much about running a successful business.