University of Birmingham based start-up Maze is an all-in-one digital platform that streamlines the relocation process with the goal of reducing the administrative challenges faced by newcomers (foreign nationals). The business is made up of three graduates; Juliet Edjere (UoB, Law), Winner Adebayo (University of Kent, International Migration) and Sarah Nantume (UoB, Law).
Juliet: Maze services are designed to create a seamless transition for anyone moving from their home country to settle in the UK. A relocating user is able to organise and manage their move abroad with access to destination services and personalised support from orientation, home search, banking, registrations and utilities-setup: integrating into their new community.
Our Maze website features service packages suited to varied relocation needs, resources and free tools guaranteed to help people who relocate save on cost, time and eliminate stress.
At first, I started building the business as a travel startup in partnership with my co-founder, Sarah Nantume, in 2017. We quickly pivoted once we’ve taken into account the potential barriers encountered in the travel and hospitality industry.
Now, our business is focused on relocation management to provide international students, digital nomads and young employees with soft landing and smoother relocation experience in the UK.
As a bonus, our business also got accepted into the UOB Elevate incubator programme which gives us access to a co-working space, unrestricted access to professional support, coaching sessions and information too so many opportunities that have contributed to the progress of the business. Within the incubator, we are able to network with other startup founders and even strategies for potential partnership.
The B-Enterprising team, Nicola, Mohammed, Kerry and Bob, have also been helpful in providing us with information and resources that has contributed to our growth.
We started this business solely boot-strapped and therefore there were great demands on each individual’s skills. Aside that, we are personally sacrificing a lot to make our business scale. Some months have been a lot more rewarding than others and so I believe the most challenging part of this journey is realising that there’s a possibility of failure regardless of the efforts we put in. Regardless, we are
striving to bring our ideas to fruition.
Also, I underestimated how time consuming the build phase is, for instance, ideating, building partnerships, user research and marketing. However, I’ve realised that I’m on a path of constant learning.
Secondly, I’ve learnt that you don’t fully realise the extend of your capability till you becomes a business owner who’s bootstrapping. I built a professional and intuitive website from scratch using no code tools and I have learnt some many other processes and picked up other technical skills along the way.
Thanks to the support and access to UoB impact internships, we are able to get more hands to join the team.