Student start-up success stories

Akshay Koyileriyan, an MSc Brand Management graduate, has transformed his passion for adventure into a thriving business – Nadodi Holidays. His company specialises in creating unique travel experiences for international students, helping them explore the UK while building a strong sense of community.

Tell us about yourself.

I am Akshay Koyileriyan, a 2022 graduate with an MSc in Brand Management from ARU in Cambridge.

Tell us about your business.

We are an adventure and community-based travel company dedicated to providing unique and immersive experiences for international students in the UK. Our mission is to connect students from diverse backgrounds through exciting outdoor adventures, fostering friendships, and creating lifelong memories.

Specialising in off-the-beaten-path travel, we take international students to some of the most remote and breathtaking locations across the UK. From the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands to the serene beauty of hidden lakes and forests, our trips offer a perfect blend of adventure, exploration, and cultural exchange.

Over the past two years, we have successfully hosted more than 200 guests, earning a reputation as one of the finest travel companies in the UK for student-focused adventure experiences. Our expertise lies in organising camping expeditions in Scotland, where participants experience the raw beauty of nature, stargaze under the clear Scottish skies, and engage in outdoor activities like hiking, wildlife spotting, and bonfire gatherings.

Our trips are designed not just for travel but to build a strong sense of community among students who are new to the UK. We provide a safe, inclusive, and thrilling environment where students can step out of their comfort zones, embrace adventure, and create unforgettable stories.

With a commitment to quality experiences, safety, and sustainability, we continue to expand our reach, ensuring that every trip is more than just a journey, it’s an opportunity to connect, explore, and grow.

What inspired your business?

I started my journey as a branding designer at Alzheimer’s Research UK, working remotely from home. While the flexibility was great, being indoors 24/7 began to take a toll on my mental health, leading to feelings of isolation and depression.

In search of an escape, I took my car and started venturing into the outdoors, discovering the joy of wild camping. What began as a spontaneous getaway soon turned into a weekend ritual. Inspired by my adventures, I started documenting my trips through blogs and sharing them on Instagram.

As my content gained traction, people started following my journey, engaging with my posts, and eventually reaching out to ask if I could organise trips for them. Encouraged by the growing interest, I began hosting weekend adventures for my followers, helping them experience the thrill of wild camping and exploring hidden gems across Scotland.

As demand grew, I built a small team to assist in organising these trips. What started as a passion project soon evolved into something much bigger. I expanded beyond Scotland, hiring a dedicated team to manage operations, and together, we started hosting adventure trips across Africa, Europe, Turkey, and the UAE.

Today, that small idea has transformed into Nadodi Holidays, a full-fledged adventure travel company specialising in community-based experiences for international students and travellers. What began as a personal escape has now become a mission to help others explore, connect, and embrace the spirit of adventure.

Follow @nadodi_holidays on Instagram.

Antonio Wedral, a BA Marketing graduate, has built a successful organic growth agency that helps eCommerce and retail brands reduce their reliance on paid advertising. His story highlights the power of industry experience, networking, and innovative business strategies.

Tell us about yourself.

I am Antonio Wedral, a BA Marketing graduate from ARU, Class of 2016. After completing my dissertation, I secured an internship at an SEO agency in London, which led to a full-time role. From there, I moved in-house to work for the publication Gentleman’s Journal as their Head of Digital before taking the leap and starting my own business.

Tell us about your business.

We are an organic growth agency for eCommerce and retail brands. Initially, we launched as an SEO agency to help brands reduce their reliance on paid advertising. As the industry evolved, we expanded our services to include PR and CRM, enabling brands to take full control of their organic growth.

We are also an employee-owned company. In 2022, we became an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), meaning that everyone in the agency is technically a co-owner, driving the company forward together. Since our transition, we have seen a tenfold increase in EOT transactions within our industry, hopefully encouraging more agencies to shift away from the traditional M&A exit strategies.

What inspired your business?

My co-founder was my first employer – he hired me during my internship. Over the years, we remained friends while pursuing different career paths. He joined made.com, while I was at Gentleman’s Journal.

We initially explored a side hustle in men’s accessories, but after investing too much money, we realised that instead of selling products, we should be selling our expertise. We both enjoyed working with retail brands and noticed that cost-per-click (CPC) rates were rising, making paid advertising increasingly unsustainable. We saw an opportunity to help brands regain control of their growth through organic strategies.

Our first client came through a referral, and from there, our business grew rapidly, eventually evolving into a large agency.

Visit the NOVOS website or follow NOVOS on LinkedIn.

Joshua Ferdinand, an ARU alumnus with multiple qualifications in education and paramedicine, is revolutionising learning through Atomic Academia. His social enterprise explores innovative approaches to Higher Education, utilising AI and cloud-based technology to enhance teaching and learning.

Tell us about yourself.

I am Joshua Ferdinand, a long-standing ARU alumnus. I completed my initial teacher training here in 2013, my paramedic training in 2016, a CELTA in 2019, and most recently, my PG Cert in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, graduating in 2024.

Tell us about your business.

Atomic Academia is a social enterprise focused on innovation in higher education. We have explored alternative article-writing methods and simulation-style case-based learning. Through online sessions, we offer a modern, cost-effective solution to higher education. This approach has the potential to revolutionise teaching by using AI and cloud-based infrastructure, allowing the best educators to share their expertise with members of Atomic Academia.

What inspired your business?

This venture originally began as the Institute of Art, which aimed to provide access to arts and arts education at a time when the sector faced significant cuts in 2012. The Institute of Art ran several successful workshops, and our open-source gallery remains available today at IOA.AtomicAcademia.com.

Since then, the Institute of Art evolved into EdChat, a platform where over 8,000 educators joined to share teaching resources. Now, with a focus on higher education, Atomic Academia enables students and teachers to connect and exchange articles, ideas, and resources.

How did ARU help you?

ARU has been part of this journey since the conception of the Institute of Art, where we received social funding in 2013 to run the project. Since 2023, we have operated as Atomic Academia, with ARU providing support that allows us to collaborate on pilot programmes for our new technologies.

We are also an active part of the innovation community, sharing our seasonal journal at innovation centres and libraries. We have participated in #ThinkBigARU pitching competition and continue to work with ARU and AREA to promote our unique service to students and doctoral candidates.

Visit the Atomic Academia website.

Larissa Matias de Lima, an MSc Brand Management graduate, has built a successful freelance business helping brands and individuals establish a strong digital presence. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of creativity.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Larissa Matias de Lima, and I am incredibly proud of how far I have come. Last year, I achieved a major milestone by graduating with a Master’s in Brand Management, but my journey to this point was anything but easy.

I am from Brazil, and when I came to England, I did not speak a word of English. I arrived with nothing but a dream and a determination to build a new life from scratch. The last few years have been both challenging and rewarding. I embraced the journey, learning the language, adapting to a new culture, and working hard to support myself.

In England, I not only found a good job but also discovered a passion for learning. I started my academic journey here, and step by step, I transformed my life. Leaving my career behind in Brazil was a bold decision, but today, I stand stronger, grateful, and victorious, knowing that I turned that risk into a beautiful new beginning.

Tell us about your business.

I built my business with one simple but powerful mission: to help new brands, small businesses, and individuals find their voice and shine in the digital world.

When I started out as a freelance social media manager, I quickly realised that so many amazing businesses and talented people were struggling. It was not because they lacked passion or great ideas, but because they did not know how to tell their story online. That is where I come in.

I provide more than just marketing insights and branding strategies. I create a path for my clients to stand out, connect with their audience, and grow with confidence. Every post, every campaign, and every piece of advice is tailored not only to promote their business but to build a brand that people remember and trust.

In a world where social media can often feel overwhelming, I simplify the process, offering support, creativity, and the tools needed for success. Watching my clients thrive, whether it is gaining their first customers, growing their online presence, or turning their passion into a sustainable business, is what drives me every day.

This is not just a business for me. It is about empowering others to turn their dreams into reality.

What inspired your business?

My business was born from a journey of reinvention and a deep desire to create something meaningful for myself.

When I moved to England, I knew building a new life here would take time, patience, and resilience. I left behind my career in Brazil, knowing that starting over was not just a possibility, but a necessity. I began as an au pair, then worked as a nanny, and eventually did babysitting for different families. Those years taught me the value of flexibility, and I realised how much I enjoyed creating my own schedule, working independently, and shaping my own path.

But deep down, I missed my creative side. With a background in fashion design, I have always loved creating and designing. I longed to reconnect with that passion, and social media gave me the perfect canvas to do so. It allowed me to design, strategise, and build brands while also bringing me back into the world of fashion in a new and exciting way.

Starting my business was not just about working for myself. It was about rediscovering my creative voice and using it to help others stand out. I now have the opportunity to support small businesses, new brands, and individuals, helping them tell their stories, grow their presence, and turn their dreams into reality. Through this, I have also found my own sense of purpose and fulfilment.

How did ARU help you?

ARU and AREA played a huge role in shaping my journey and giving me the confidence to build my career in a new country.

When I started my academic path at ARU, I was filled with excitement but also a lot of uncertainty. Coming to England with no English and starting over from scratch was not easy, but the support I received made all the difference. The university provided not only a strong academic foundation in Brand Management but also a welcoming environment that encouraged growth and creativity.

Through AREA, I found incredible resources and mentorship that helped me bridge the gap between theory and real-world practice. Workshops, networking events, and the guidance of inspiring lecturers gave me the tools to think strategically, build my business ideas, and stay motivated even when things felt challenging.

What stood out the most was how ARU and AREA did not just support my education. They supported me. They helped me see my potential, embrace my creative side, and turn my passion into a business. Today, as a freelancer helping brands and individuals stand out in the digital world, I carry with me the knowledge, confidence, and connections I built during my time there.

It was not just about getting a degree. It was about finding my voice, building my future, and knowing I had a community that believed in me.

Follow LM Studio Elevate on Instagram.

Magda Michalik is a young entrepreneur who has rapidly transformed her professional aspirations into a thriving business venture.

Within just three months of graduation, she launched Model Mutts, a specialised puppy socialisation service in Essex, demonstrating exceptional business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit.

Her journey began with the Freelancer Fast-Start Programme, a practical, hands-on programme at ARU which offers support to budding freelancers and student entrepreneurs.

While on the programme, Magda distinguished herself by embracing every training session, mentoring opportunity and masterclass available. Her commitment was recognised when she was awarded 'Best Brand' during the programme's Showcase Day, delivering a presentation that highlighted her innovative approach and strong communication skills.

Magda's business, Model Mutts, was not just quickly established but strategically developed. Within three months, she secured business premises, built a distinctive brand, and attracted a solid client base.

Having studied at ARU in Writtle, Magda has become a representative of entrepreneurial success in the Essex region. Her journey embodies the potential of young entrepreneurs who leverage their education, professional support, and personal drive to create meaningful business opportunities.

Model Mutts was only registered as a business with HMRC by Magda in August 2024 (having just graduated) and has already onboarded and delivered to 18 clients and counting. She offers a mix of puppy classes and private client training sessions. Puppy training classes are already operating out of Layer de la Haye Village Hall with projections to expand to a second location in Elmstead Market in2025.

Magda has worked hard to build a fantastic brand and is now focused on marketing and client discovery via building up her social media presence. She reports that posting informational videos have already landed her several clients, despite being very early days. She has also built an innovative and effective business network by joining forces with other dog trainers in the surrounding areas. This dog trainer 'support system' and referral scheme, sees professionals mutually recommend each other where a client request is from a catchment area they do not cover.

For client outreach, Magda is also running a puppy socialisation hour at Pets Corner in Colchester every Saturday, where she gains the bulk of her puppy clients by giving them taster sessions. This has been great in building up clientele as it gives puppy owners a no-pressure way to get to know her and introduce her service offering.

What sets Magda apart is her mature approach to business development. She quickly absorbed critical advice spanning finances, taxation, brand strategy, marketing, sales techniques, and negotiation. Her ability to integrate these insights and rapidly scale her business is remarkable, especially for someone at the early stage of her career.

Beyond her commercial success, Magda demonstrates a profound commitment to community and future entrepreneurship. She has committed to returning to the Fast-Start Programme in 2025 to support upcoming students, positioning herself as a relatable role model for the next generation of freelancers. This reflects her dedication to giving back and supporting emerging talent.

Meghana Nadella, an MSc Psychology (Conversion) student, is at the forefront of MedTech innovation with PRIDalLY - a revolutionary healthcare application designed to support underrepresented communities, particularly transgender and gender-dysphoric individuals. Her work bridges technology and inclusive healthcare to create a more equitable system for all.

Tell us about your business.

PRIDalLY is a revolutionary MedTech application designed as a one-stop health and care assistant for underrepresented communities, particularly transgender and gender-dysphoric individuals. Our platform leverages cutting-edge technology and user-centric design to provide seamless access to healthcare and support services from the comfort of users' homes.

Key features of PRIDalLY include:

• Patient-to-Doctor Interactions – Secure and efficient communication between patients and healthcare providers.
• Health & Growth Tracker – A tool to monitor vital signs, medication adherence, and overall well-being.
• Library Corner – A comprehensive resource hub offering medical literature, transition guides, and myth-busting information.
• Chat Corner – A supportive space for the neurodivergent community to connect, share experiences, and receive guidance.

PRIDalLY integrates artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide predictive healthcare recommendations while maintaining physician oversight for patient safety. By bridging the gap between technology and inclusive healthcare, PRIDalLY aims to improve access and quality of care for the transgender community.

What inspired your business?

The inspiration for PRIDalLY stems from the deep-rooted challenges faced by transgender individuals in accessing quality healthcare. Many experience misdiagnosis, misgendering, and a lack of affirmative healthcare providers, leading to emotional distress and avoidance of medical care.

Through epidemiological research and community engagement, we recognised the urgent need for a structured digital healthcare ecosystem tailored to the transgender community. The concept evolved from a desire to eliminate biases in healthcare, provide accessible transition support, and empower individuals with knowledge and resources.

My personal experiences, professional insights, and first-hand interactions with the LGBTQIA+ community influenced the vision for PRIDalLY. This journey has been about transforming lived experiences into a tangible, tech-driven solution that offers dignity, autonomy, and healthcare equity to underrepresented individuals.

How did ARU help you?

ARU and AREA have played a significant role in supporting PRIDalLY’s growth by providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and business development support. Key contributions from AREA and ARU include:

• Entrepreneurial support – access to workshops, mentorship, and guidance in refining PRIDalLY’s business model (Create a New Enterprise programme and other entrepreneurial courses).
• Innovation and research assistance – support in securing mentors and resources (Santander and Babson College – Santander X Launch Programme).
• Pitching and funding guidance – assistance in preparing business pitches for investors, advisory panels, and research institutions (#ThinkBigARU Pitching Competition).
• Networking and collaboration – opportunities to connect with healthcare professionals, policymakers, and tech innovators (BBC Essex – primetime guest opportunity).

The structured support from AREA and ARU helped us streamline our app development, expand PRIDalLY from a conceptual idea to an actionable project, and refine our approach to market launch and user engagement.

Nirvana Yarger, an MA Education with Montessori graduate, has founded The Community Classroom CIC, a social enterprise that offers accessible and inclusive educational opportunities for home-educated children. Her work is helping families who need an alternative to mainstream education.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Nirvana Yarger, and I completed the MA in Education with Montessori, graduating in July 2024.

Tell us about your business.

The Community Classroom CIC is a community interest company that provides art, science, humanities, and outdoor learning sessions for home-educated young people between the ages of four and 14.

Our sessions offer the best of both worlds, combining elements of both school and home education. We provide a variety of professionally led activities and opportunities for social interaction in a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere. Our focus is on small group sizes, children’s independence, and real-world skills.

Many families have no choice but to deregister from school in order to meet their children's educational or mental health needs, particularly following the COVID-19 lockdowns. However, we are based in a deprived part of the London Borough of Westminster, where many families cannot afford online school programmes or expensive clubs and groups.

To ensure our sessions remain affordable, we operate a sliding scale of subscription fees. Families who can afford to pay more help subsidise significant discounts for those eligible for Universal Credit. This model ensures that quality education remains accessible to all families, regardless of their financial situation.

What inspired your business?

While teaching in a mainstream primary school, I always felt that the National Curriculum and mainstream school approach did not provide the best outcomes for many children. I believe that formal academics are pushed too early, while key skills such as independence, communication, collaboration, and physical activity are neglected in favour of test preparation. From personal experience, I also know that the school environment can be unpleasant, stressful, and even traumatic for some children.

A combination of factors led me to leave mainstream teaching, but I never lost my desire to be an educator. While completing my MA at ARU, I explored alternative approaches such as Montessori and gained a deeper understanding of home education and the reasons families choose to deregister their children from school.

While working with a local family who could not find an appropriate school place for their child with complex educational needs, I realised I could create my own small educational group for children in similar situations. That idea grew into The Community Classroom CIC.

How did ARU help you?

I was fortunate to be chosen for the ARU Social Value Fund, a programme supporting students and recent graduates with business ideas that promote social good.

I had no prior business knowledge and never expected my Community Classroom idea to be taken seriously. However, the guidance and mentorship I received through the Social Value Fund programme was fantastic. I learned the fundamentals of business planning, including forecasting and market research, and was eventually awarded a £5,000 grant to launch The Community Classroom.

We would not be where we are today without ARU’s support.

Visit the Community Classroom CIC website or follow the Community Classroom CIC on Instagram.

Oa Hackett, a graduate in Charity and Social Enterprise Management, founded Little Lifts, a charity dedicated to providing emotional and practical support to individuals undergoing breast cancer treatment. Through carefully curated gift boxes, Oa and her team offer kindness and comfort to thousands of patients across the UK.

Tell us about your business.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with 55,000 women and 400 men diagnosed every year. One in seven women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. While secondary breast cancer can be managed with treatment, it remains incurable, affecting 61,000 women across the UK.

Little Lifts is on a mission to provide free, thoughtfully curated Little Lifts gift boxes to every breast cancer patient in the UK receiving chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or undergoing surgery. We achieve this through:

1. NHS hospital partnerships in the East of England, ensuring every eligible patient receives support.
2. The Little Kindness Fund, which allows people across the UK to apply for a gift box.

What is a Little Lifts box?

We understand that everyone’s experience of breast cancer treatment is different. Our boxes are carefully curated by individuals who have personal experiences with breast cancer, ensuring that each item provides practical support and emotional comfort.

Our boxes contain a selection of ethically made, planet-friendly products that help alleviate the side effects of treatment. Some examples include:

• Chilli oil in our Chemotherapy Box to help add flavour to food.
• Metal-free deodorant in our Radiotherapy Box.
• Heated eye masks to aid rest and relaxation.

Each box is hand-packed with love by volunteers, often women who have themselves benefited from Little Lifts.

Since launching, we have distributed over 27,500 Little Lifts boxes across the UK, with 10,075 in 2024 alone. Our annual income has grown from £50,000 in our first year to £675,000 in our seventh year.

Every day, we receive messages from patients sharing the impact of receiving a box:

"If someone had described it to me beforehand, I would have thought it was a ‘nice idea’ without giving much thought to how important the sentiment is… With one box, I no longer felt alone in dealing with a life-changing situation. It is not just a box of cutlery and tea bags; it is a gesture of compassion and understanding, sent without judgement and with no expectation, from fellow members of a club that no one wants to be part of."

What inspired your business?

In 2014, at the age of 28, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Six weeks later, I began chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiotherapy. It was a life-changing experience.

At times, the treatment was incredibly tough, causing bone aches, a sore mouth, fatigue, and low mood. During this difficult period, my friends and family gifted me thoughtful items to help ease the side effects. Each one not only helped alleviate the physical challenges of treatment but also boosted my emotional well-being, making me feel cared for and supported.

It was this kindness that inspired Little Lifts – I wanted to pass that same support on to others facing breast cancer treatment.

How did ARU help you?

I began the Charity and Social Enterprise Management course in September 2017 after leaving my role at The King’s Trust to start Little Lifts. This course was the best decision I ever made. Not only did I meet an amazing group of like-minded individuals, but I also gained essential knowledge that directly shaped the foundation of Little Lifts. The course covered strategy, finance, marketing, and measuring impact, all of which provided invaluable insight into running a charity.

A special thanks goes to Andy Brady, who led the course with immense passion and continues to support me to this day.

In 2018, I was awarded £7,000 from the Andy Wilson Bursary Fund, which directly contributed to the development of our website and online presence. Thanks to ARU’s support, Little Lifts was built on strong foundations, and its growth both operationally and financially is a testament to this.

Visit the Little Lifts website, follow Little Lifts on Instagram, or follow Little Lifts on LinkedIn.

Roxana Haloiu, a BA Montessori Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner) graduate, has founded Chrysalis Montessori, a space dedicated to supporting young children and their caregivers through child-led learning and a strong sense of community

Tell us about yourself.

I am Roxana Haloiu, a recent graduate of ARU, with a BA in Montessori Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner), 2024.

Before enrolling at ARU, I worked as a Montessori Early Years Practitioner in various settings across London. My interest in the first three years of life deepened even further with the arrival of my son, inspiring me to create a supportive and respectful space for parents welcoming their babies into the world.

Tell us about your business.

Chrysalis Montessori was established with a profound commitment to providing a nurturing environment for young children. My personal search for a safe and supportive space for my own child led me to create an environment where children can explore freely while having their caregivers as a secure anchor.

As the project developed, it became clear that new parents also needed a sense of community and deeper reflection on their role.

At Chrysalis Montessori, we provide:

• Play sessions for children under six, designed by two highly qualified and experienced practitioners, following Montessori principles.
• Research-based information, workshops, and discussions for parents, aimed at fostering community support and shared learning.
• An immersive experience for both adults and children, making Montessori wisdom and early years research more accessible to a wider audience.

Our goal is to provide a supportive and welcoming environment where both children and their caregivers feel accepted, celebrated, and empowered.

We initially ran two weekly sessions in London and have since expanded to a permanent setting in Brighton.

What inspired your business?

When my son was a baby, I searched for an environment where he could move freely, explore, and express himself. I attended various baby classes, but they felt hurried and overly adult-led for such a young age.

As a Montessori educator with a passion for child-led pedagogies and early years creativity, I decided to set up a small playgroup in my living room.

I soon realised that:

• Parents often feel isolated and lost, especially when becoming parents for the first time.
• There was a real need for an authentic, child-led environment for children under three.
• Intentional community-building was just as important as early childhood education.

With these insights, Chrysalis Montessori was born. It became a place where both children and their caregivers, whether parents, grandparents, or nannies feel accepted, supported, and valued.

How did AREA/ARU help you?

As a student at ARU, I appreciated the freedom to tailor my learning journey. My final research project focused on how parents can be supported in recognising their child’s engagement and self-directed play.

With the support of Dr Michelle Wisbey and Sarah Rowledge, I gained insights that helped me design a 12-week programme for parents at Chrysalis Montessori. This programme provides an accessible framework, using research-based information and interactive activities to guide parents through their experience with us.

Additionally, I participated in:

• The Freelancer Training Programme – Although my business did not qualify, I made valuable connections and was supported in developing a plan.
• The Social Value Fund Programme – This was exceptionally well-executed, providing invaluable insights into running a business. My assigned mentor helped me refine my pitch and understand what worked and what needed improvement.

The programme was an intense but highly rewarding crash course in shaping a business idea. In just six weeks, I learned an incredible amount about:

• Structuring and refining my business model.
• Effectively pitching my ideas.
• Building confidence in my ability to grow my venture.

The cohort of participants was truly inspiring, and I formed strong connections, including one that has the potential for future collaboration.

The feedback from the panel of experts was particularly insightful, and it was clear that a lot of thought and care went into their evaluations.

Overall, my time at ARU was more impactful than I could have ever imagined, giving me the tools, confidence, and support to successfully launch Chrysalis Montessori.

Visit the Chrysalis Montessori website, follow Chrysalis Montessori on Instagram, or follow Chrysalis Montessori on Facebook.

Shingi Kandi, a PhD candidate in the School of Education, is building an innovative e-commerce platform to make ethnic products and services more accessible. Inspired by personal experiences as an international student, Shingi is on a mission to bridge cultural gaps in the marketplace.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Shingi Kandi, and I am currently pursuing a PhD with progression from MPhil in the School of Education, with an expected graduation in 2026.

Tell us about your business.

Our e-commerce platform is designed to increase accessibility to products and services from various ethnic cultures that are not commonly found in mainstream stores.

By bringing together a diverse range of cultural products, we aim to make it easier for individuals from different backgrounds to find familiar items from home, fostering a greater sense of connection and belonging.

What inspired your business?

As an international student, I struggled to find products from back home in mainstream stores. This challenge became even more apparent in my intercultural relationship, where both my partner and I found it difficult to source products from each other’s cultures.

Through research, we discovered that many people faced the same problem. This inspired us to create a dedicated platform where people from diverse backgrounds can easily find authentic ethnic products and services in one place.

How did AREA/ARU help you?

ARU and AREA have played a significant role in helping me refine and develop my business idea by providing:

• Opportunities to pitch my business and receive expert feedback through programmes like #ThinkBigARU Pitching Competition and the Social Value Fund.
• Resources to continuously learn and develop my idea, helping me build a sustainable model.
• Networking opportunities with industry experts and like-minded student entrepreneurs.
• Funding through the Social Value Fund, allowing me to invest and develop the business further.
• Dedicated mentorship, where I was allocated a mentor and met with them for one hour every week for eight weeks.
• Legal support, provided through AREA’s partnership with a law firm, helping me navigate the legal aspects of my business.

The support from ARU and AREA has been invaluable, helping me turn a personal challenge into a scalable business solution.

Visit the MA-MIX website.

Medily AI is an app that’s been designed by ARU medical student Talha Mehmood to improve patient care and streamline clinical decision-making.

The app acts as an assistant and second pair of eyes for medical professionals. It can listen into consultations and write up notes automatically, craft accurate medical letters and can suggest exercise and meal plans.

As well as assisting medical professionals, the app is also designed for trainee doctors to help them prepare for various types of exams, providing quiz questions and accurate simulations involving AI-generated patients. It could allow doctors to spend less time on admin tasks and more time with patients.

Talha’s journey in technology began at the age of 12, when he started developing applications in healthcare, gaming, and online services. Over the years, he expanded his expertise across leadership, software development, blockchain, and medical sciences, culminating in his work in AI-driven health tech solutions.

Having joined ARU to study Medicine, Medily AI started as a midnight idea in Talha’s bedroom – a tool designed to help fellow students and clinicians quickly access accurate medical information.

Initially, it was a simple platform for Talha and his friends to organise their medical revision notes. However, recognising its potential, he scaled it to a University-wide application; this later evolved into a full-fledged AI-powered B2B healthcare solution.

Talha has built Medily AI into a cutting-edge platform that enhances clinical decision-making. His dedication to improving healthcare accessibility has led to industry recognition, rapid adoption, and a growing impact in medical AI.

From a student project to a transformative healthcare innovation, Talha’s journey is a testament to entrepreneurial thinking, and the power of technology to revolutionise patient care.

Recently, Talha took first place in the inaugural Ignite competition, launched by social enterprise philanthropists The Ford Family Foundation, and secured £20,000 of funding.

Jo Living, Enterprise Development Manager at ARU, said:

At ARU we’ve been educating healthcare professionals for more than 25 years, and opened our School of Medicine in 2018. We’re proud of the progress Talha has made with developing Medily AI, and its potential to drive improvement in public services, and enhance health outcomes.