i-Lab: A Milestone in Globemia’s Journey

This year, Globemia had the privilege of being one of the industry partners in the i-Lab programme. This collaboration proved to be pivotal in shaping the direction of our mission. By working closely with the students, exchanging ideas, and receiving direct feedback, we were able to refine our approach and strengthen our strategy. The experience not only provided valuable insights into our business model but also opened our eyes to new perspectives on how we can better serve our communities, particularly in India, Africa, Europe, South America, and the Middle East. We are deeply grateful to Graham, the programme leader, for providing us with this invaluable opportunity and for his unwavering support throughout the process.

Globemia, currently in its early stages, aims to provide students from vulnerable communities with the opportunity to study in the UK, contributing their innovative ideas to the British economy. Our mission is clear: to foster international collaboration, empower students with new skills, and create positive change both in the UK and in their home countries. While we are still building the foundation of our social enterprise, we believe that by bringing diverse, entrepreneurial perspectives to the UK, we can enrich British society. These students will not only contribute to the UK economy but will also return to their communities, equipped to lead social and economic development. Globemia aims to support these students, walking beside them as they grow and become the changemakers our world needs. We are excited about the potential to create a lasting impact as we move forward.

The opportunity to participate in i-Lab was crucial for refining our approach and gaining a clearer understanding of how we can achieve our mission. Through engaging with the students and exchanging ideas, we were able to refine our strategy and better align our objectives. This collaboration also gave us valuable insight into the practicalities of building a social enterprise, as well as the challenges and rewards that come with it.

One of the most significant takeaways from our time in the programme was the importance of teamwork and collaboration. We came to realise that the success of Globemia depends not only on a solid strategy but also on the passion, commitment, and unity of our team. Building a social enterprise that can resonate on a global scale requires a harmonious balance between strategic thinking, clear objectives, and a shared sense of purpose. The lessons we learned during i-Lab were instrumental in reinforcing these values and helping us refine our goals.

The mentorship sessions and collaborative environment at i-Lab gave us the opportunity to view our ideas from new angles. This feedback was invaluable in shaping how we move forward with our project. It has become clear that, to have a lasting impact, our company needs to focus on adaptability and continuous improvement.

We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Rob Wood, whose financial support makes initiatives like i-Lab possible. His belief in the potential of young entrepreneurs and his commitment to social impact have been instrumental in providing us with the resources and opportunities needed to grow. Thanks to Rob’s vision, i-Lab continues to support the development of social enterprises and empower the next generation of leaders.

Looking ahead, the connections we made through i-Lab and the lessons we learned, including the valuable insights from Katie during one of the networking events, will be instrumental in the next steps of Globemia's development. The programme has not only equipped us with the necessary tools to succeed but has also broadened our vision for the future. With the support of the i-Lab community, we are better prepared to continue our mission of empowering graduates and researchers from vulnerable communities worldwide.

Thanks to the opportunity provided by i-Lab, we now have the confidence to move forward with our social enterprise, grounded in the belief that we are not just building a company, but creating a legacy that will inspire and transform lives around the world.

Connecting with the students from iLab to work on Globemia’s market research and one of the challenges was insightful. We loved interacting with the students and enjoyed seeing their curiosity to know more about Globemia’s mission and vision. The students presented their findings very well and we gained a lot of information and their point of view towards Globemia. Although they only had just two weeks to complete the task, in such a short span of time they managed the task and the team very well. Throughout the whole iLab 2.0 journey, the Globemia team got closer, and we were able to articulate ideas and give more time to work on the business idea. Our team developed strength and unity so we all can convey our ideas and make Globemia a global leader.