“Entrepreneurship is not just about creating a business, but it’s a journey of personal growth, resilience, and constantly pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. The journey may be tough, but the rewards of seeing your idea come to life and making a positive impact on the world make it all worthwhile.”
Ashan started exploring his options to turn his idea into a reality while he was pursuing his second masters degree in MSc Business and Management at Stirling in 2020. Keep reading to find out how has the Enterprise Programme helped him develop his entrepreneurial skills:
Q. Tell us a bit about your entrepreneurial journey?
My entrepreneurial journey started with a deep passion for technology and tourism, which I cultivated through my academic pursuits. After completing my Master’s degree in Innovation Management in Tourism Industry at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences in Austria, I was inspired to take my love for these fields to the next level and create something impactful. I began this journey without a clear idea of the path ahead, but with a simple goal to create a solution that would use technology to help the tourism industry.
As I joined Stirling University to pursue my second Masters degree in Business and Management, I started exploring various options that could help me turn my idea into a reality. That’s when I discovered the Enterprise program at the university, specifically designed to support budding entrepreneurs and early-stage companies. The program proved to be the perfect platform for me to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge, and support required to bring my idea to life. It provided me with a chance to pitch my idea to both internal and external audiences and connect with industry professionals who could provide invaluable guidance and even market access. With this help, I formed my first company “Tourprism” in first half of 2021.
In 2021, Tourprism was awarded the Best Start-up Idea at Scottish Institute for Enterprises, and in the same year, it was the runner-up at Enterprise Quest. In 2022, Tourprism was also named a semi-finalist at Converge Challenge. These milestones have further fuelled my passion for entrepreneurship and encouraged me to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
As I look back on my journey so far, I’m grateful for the opportunities and support that have helped me get to where I am today. But I’m also aware that the road ahead is long and challenging, and that there’s still a lot to learn and achieve. However, I’m confident that with my entrepreneurial spirit, passion for technology and tourism, and the right support, Tourprism will continue to grow and make a positive impact in the industry
Q. Can you tell us a bit more about your business?
Tourprism is a cutting-edge market intelligence platform that empowers tour operators to optimize their business performance by providing personalized insights in an intuitive and user-friendly format. Using advanced data analytics and machine learning techniques, Tourprism analyzes tour operators’ internal data against large industry data sets to uncover trends, patterns, and behaviors, that help them improve their product offerings, pricing strategies, marketing campaigns, and customer engagement. It enables tour operators to make data-driven decisions that increase revenue, enhance customer satisfaction, and stay competitive in the ever-evolving travel industry.
Q. What motivated you to start your own business?
I have always been enthusiastic about technology and how it could be used to improve performance, efficiency, and customer experiences. As I pursued my education and gained more knowledge and experience in this field, my fascination with technology only grew stronger.
However, my passion for tourism was equally strong, and I knew that I wanted to do something that would allow me to combine both these interests. As I delved deeper into the world of travel technologies, I became increasingly convinced that there was tremendous potential for innovation and disruption in the tourism industry. This realization, coupled with my entrepreneurial drive, inspired me to create something impactful that could change the way people experience travel.
Thus, I decided to take the leap and start my own business, with the aim of leveraging technology to revolutionize the tourism industry. My motivation to start a business stemmed from my deep-seated desire to make a difference in an industry that I am passionate about. I believe that with the right vision, skills, and perseverance, I can create something truly remarkable that will benefit not just my business but the entire industry.
Q. What has been one of the biggest challenges you had to overcome so far?
Undoubtedly, navigating the pandemic has been the most challenging part of my entrepreneurial journey. With tourism coming to a complete standstill for an extended period, and the subsequent conflict in Ukraine hindering the recovery of travel, I found myself facing unprecedented circumstances that I had not prepared for.
Despite the challenges, I refused to give up on my dream and worked tirelessly to overhaul and reshape the business model multiple times to ensure that it remained relevant, appealing, and viable in the face of the pandemic. It was a tough journey, and I had to stay on top of the rapidly changing situation, but it taught me some valuable lessons about the importance of future-proofing my idea and remaining agile in the face of adversity.
Throughout this period, I remained focused and determined, communicating with mentors, industry professionals, and tourism suppliers to seek guidance and support. I learned the importance of remaining flexible and adapting to new situations to ensure business continuity, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
In the end, I am proud to say that I overcame the challenges presented by the pandemic successfully. By staying committed to my vision and remaining agile, I was able to keep my business afloat and come out stronger on the other side. I am now more confident than ever that my business can withstand any challenges that come my way.
Q. What has been the most rewarding aspect of your journey?
The most rewarding aspect of my entrepreneurial journey has been the positive feedback I have received from the industry. Hearing from industry professionals and tourism suppliers that my business proposition is useful for their day-to-day operations has been an incredible validation of all my hard work and effort.
Knowing that my business can make a positive impact on the tourism industry is incredibly fulfilling, and it drives me to keep pushing forward and striving for even greater success. Hearing first-hand how my business is helping others and making a difference is like nothing else, and it makes all the challenges and obstacles I faced along the way entirely worth it.
Q. How has The Enterprise Programme contributed to your success?
The university’s Enterprise Program has been instrumental in helping me turn my idea into a reality. It has been incredibly beneficial to me in multiple ways, and I am grateful for the support and guidance that the program has provided.
The program has helped me most by providing me with the necessary skills, knowledge, and support required to bring my idea to life. Through the program, I was able to pitch my idea to both internal and external audiences, connect with industry professionals who could provide guidance or market access, and participate in various competitions that have helped me gain exposure and recognition.
Moreover, the program has also provided me with access to a wide range of resources, including mentoring, coaching, training, and funding opportunities, which have been critical to the growth and success of my business. The support I received from the program has allowed me to remain focused and motivated, even during challenging times, and has helped me stay on track to achieve my goals. I am grateful for the opportunities and guidance that I received through the program, and I would encourage anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit to take advantage of the resources and support that the program offers.
Q. What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
“Entrepreneurship is not just about creating a business, but it’s a journey of personal growth, resilience, and constantly pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. The journey may be tough, but the rewards of seeing your idea come to life and making a positive impact on the world make it all worthwhile.”