App set to make shopping a breeze for Bedfordview residents
The duo said getting big business to take them seriously was not easy.
Two former primary school friends and Bedfordview residents, Salvatore Barras and Kyri Ioulianou are well on the way to becoming the country’s youngest millionaires.
Come July 1, the duo will launch an app that aims to make life easy for residents and shoppers alike.
MiBrand is a mobile app that will allow residents to browse attractions and activities in their area as well as specials in stores and restaurant nearby.
Twenty-one-year-old Salvatore said when shoppers walk into a shopping centre, the app will notify them of all the specials that are at the different stores.
“We wanted to create a platform for businesses to interact directly with their target market, the residents. Before walking into a store you will already know what is on offer. People can make bookings directly from the app. They will also be able to get directions and share locations without having to open a different app. We wanted to give people a one-stop shop for all their needs. A quick access to all the things they want,” he said.
Kyri, an 18-year-old Saheti alumni, came under the spotlight after his app, Count 19 caused a stir at the school last year.
He started coding at 12 and has never looked back since. “Everything went from there. When I was in Grade 10, I thought it would be a good idea to get into apps and so I started coding apps for Android,” he said.
The duo said getting big business to take them seriously was not easy. “I dropped out of school in Grade 9 and my partner [Kyri] only matriculated in 2015. So immediately after pitching an idea people want to know what academic background you come with after which they simply said no. We kept on and refused to give up on our dreams until one businessman decided to give us a chance,” said Salvatore.
He said although they were laughed at in the beginning, he hopes their story will inspire other youngsters to work at their dreams.
“The app will come at no cost to the people. It will be free to download and it will also offer coupons,” said Salvatore.
