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The STEAM Hatchery programme, run by Birmingham City University and supported by Santander Universities, is an eight-week programme for students and recent graduates who have an innovative idea and want to develop it into a viable business.
We caught up with the founders, Sulieman Alramahi and Saif Alramahi to find out more about what their business has been up to since their time on the Hatchery Programme and what the future holds.
Image credit: Edwin Ladd
Tell us a bit more about what has the company been up to since the STEAM Hatchery programme?
"Since participating in the STEAM Hatchery programme last year, we’ve been hard at work developing Sharedish. We’re currently in the final stages of our Minimum Viable Product (MVP) development and are excited to announce that we’ll be launching it soon.
"Additionally, we had the opportunity to pitch at Birmingham Tech Week at STEAMhouse, where we were thrilled to secure second place in the competition."
How did the Hatchery programme help prepare you and your business to grow and develop?
"The programme was instrumental in refining our business strategy and providing us with essential mentorship and resources. It helped us build a robust network, gain valuable industry insights, and navigate early-stage challenges— all of which have been crucial in preparing for our upcoming launch and future growth."
Have you faced any challenges over the last six months, and how did you overcome them?
"Like many start-ups, we’ve encountered challenges, particularly in balancing rapid MVP development with iterative feedback from potential users.
"We addressed these hurdles by implementing agile development practices and leveraging our network for insights and support. This adaptive approach has helped us remain flexible and ensure that our product meets market needs."
Where do you hope to see Sharedish in five years’ time?
"In five years, we envision Sharedish as a key player in our industry—known for innovative solutions and a strong, engaged community. We aim to expand our market presence, continuously innovate our product offerings, and maintain a reputation for excellence in customer experience."
Do you have any advice for students looking to set up their own business?
"My advice would be to embrace every learning opportunity and never shy away from challenges. Be persistent, build a solid network, and leverage mentorship opportunities. It’s also important to stay agile, listen to your customers, and be ready to pivot your strategy when needed" says Sulieman, Co-Founder of Sharedish.
The future of Sharedish
Reflecting on what the future holds for Sharedish, Sulieman and Saif added: "We’re extremely excited about what the future holds for Sharedish. Our recent success at Birmingham Tech Week has validated our approach and fuelled our drive to keep pushing forward. The upcoming MVP launch marks a significant milestone for us, and we’re eager to see how the market responds."
We are looking forward to watching Sharedish in their journey as they continue to grow – so make sure to watch this space.
