Safica Assane Mougamadou

Former Computer Science student, Safica Assane Mougamadou, shares how the Henderson Innovation Seed Fund helped her develop the interactive educational app, Learniverse.

What course did you study at Birmingham City University?

I studied BSc (Hons) Computer Science at Birmingham City University and graduated in 2026 with First Class Honours.

Tell us about the project, product or business idea that received Henderson Innovation Seed Fund support.

I developed a web-based gamified educational application designed to make learning fun and interactive for Key Stage 1 and 2 children called Learniverse.

What inspired you to develop this idea?

My passion for technology and my interest in making education more engaging and enjoyable for children.

How did you first hear about the Henderson Innovation Seed Fund?

I found out about the opportunity through my university and lecturers, who encouraged students to participate and showcase their projects and ideas.

Initially, I was very nervous and hesitant about entering the competition because I wasn’t confident enough to present my project in front of others. I had doubts about whether I would be able to communicate my ideas effectively.

However, my lecturers were incredibly supportive throughout the process. Their encouragement, motivation and belief in my abilities gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone and take part.

Looking back, I am extremely grateful for their support because, without that encouragement, I might not have taken this opportunity.

How did you use the Henderson Innovation Seed Fund funding you received?

I was awarded £500 towards my project. I am planning to invest it to improve the project’s functionality, enhance the user experience and explore opportunities to develop it further beyond university.

I want to make sure I use the funding meaningfully and invest it in something that reflects the hard work and dedication I put into my project.

Could you tell us more about how the Henderson funding supported your project?

My final-year project, Learniverse, was one of the most important parts of my university journey. It allowed me to apply the technical knowledge and programming skills I developed throughout my Computer Science degree while also exploring my creativity and problem-solving abilities.

Although I haven’t spent the funding yet, I plan to use it to continue improving Learniverse and potentially develop it into something that could be useful beyond an academic setting.

Receiving the Henderson Innovation Seed Fund encouraged me to see my project as more than just a university assignment. It made me realise that an idea developed during my studies could have the potential to grow into something much bigger.

What difference did receiving Henderson funding make to you personally?

Receiving Henderson funding made a significant difference to my confidence, motivation and personal development.

At the beginning, I was genuinely scared to apply for the funding. I wasn't particularly confident speaking in front of an audience, and I often felt nervous about presenting my ideas.

However, with the encouragement of my lecturers and the experience I gained through opportunities such as the Digital Boardroom Pitches, I gradually started to overcome that fear.

Each presentation helped me become more comfortable expressing my thoughts, explaining technical concepts and speaking in front of others.

Receiving the funding was something I never expected, which made the experience even more special.

Today, I can genuinely see the difference these opportunities have made. I am no longer as nervous about speaking in front of larger groups or communicating in professional environments.

The experience taught me that confidence develops through practice, encouragement and being willing to challenge yourself.

What has been the biggest impact of receiving the Henderson Innovation Seed Fund?

The biggest impact was the confidence and self-belief I gained from the overall experience.

Before taking part, I often doubted my ability to present confidently in front of others. However, participating in the Henderson Innovation Seed Fund, alongside other university experiences such as the Digital Boardroom Pitches, helped me gradually overcome those doubts.

I learned that presenting isn’t just about speaking in front of people. It is about believing in your ideas, communicating them clearly and being confident in the work you have produced.

One of the most rewarding parts of this journey is seeing how much I have grown. From being someone who was initially afraid to participate in a competition, I have become someone who feels much more comfortable speaking in front of groups and contributing in professional settings.

Receiving the funding also motivated me to continue developing Learniverse, as it showed me that my hard work and ideas were recognised and valued.

For me, the biggest achievement wasn’t just receiving the funding, but discovering confidence in myself that I didn’t realise I had.

Has receiving Henderson funding influenced your future studies or career plans? If so, how?

Yes, definitely!

The Henderson experience has encouraged me to continue pursuing a career in the technology industry, particularly in software development and software engineering.

Working on Learniverse strengthened my technical knowledge and interest in developing applications that could solve real-world problems.

However, one of the most valuable things I gained from the overall experience was the development of my professional communication skills.

Through the Henderson opportunity and Digital Boardroom Pitches, I learned how to present my ideas, explain technical concepts to different audiences and communicate with greater confidence.

These skills are especially valuable in the technology industry, where teamwork, communication and the ability to explain technical solutions are just as important as programming knowledge.

I have already noticed how much these experiences have helped me feel more confident in professional environments.

They have encouraged me to continue learning, take on new challenges and approach future career opportunities with a more positive and confident mindset.

What was the highlight of your Henderson Innovation Seed Fund experience? Did you develop any new skills?

The biggest highlight was receiving the Henderson Innovation Seed Fund, particularly because I had initially been so nervous about participating.

It was an unexpected achievement and one of the proudest moments of my university journey.

Another memorable part was having the opportunity to present Learniverse, a project I had spent so much time and effort developing.

Through this experience and other opportunities such as the Digital Boardroom Pitches, I developed several valuable skills, including:

• Public speaking: Becoming more comfortable presenting in front of larger audiences.
• Communication: Learning how to explain technical ideas clearly and confidently.
• Presentation skills: Improving the way I structure presentations, engage with an audience and communicate key information.
• Self-confidence: Overcoming nervousness and developing greater belief in my abilities.
• Professional development: Becoming more confident speaking and expressing my ideas in professional environments.
• Problem-solving and creativity: Developing my project and thinking about ways to improve it further.

What makes these experiences particularly meaningful is that I can still see their impact today.

Previously, speaking in front of many people would make me extremely nervous. Now, although I may still feel a little nervous sometimes, I am much more confident and comfortable presenting, sharing ideas and communicating with others.

I believe these are skills that will continue to benefit me throughout my professional career.

What would you say to another student who is considering applying for Henderson Innovation Seed Fund support?

I would definitely encourage them to go for it!

I understand how intimidating it can feel to put yourself forward, especially when you are unsure whether you have the confidence or ability to succeed. I felt exactly the same way when I first considered participating.

However, one of the biggest lessons I learned is that you should never let fear or self-doubt stop you from taking an opportunity.

You never know what you are capable of until you give yourself a chance.

Even if you don't receive the funding, the experience itself can be incredibly valuable. You can develop new skills, meet supportive people, build confidence and learn things about yourself that you might not have discovered otherwise.

For me, the Henderson Innovation Seed Fund was completely unexpected, but it became one of the most meaningful experiences of my university journey.

I would also encourage students to make the most of other university opportunities, such as the Digital Boardroom Pitches, because these experiences can help you grow both personally and professionally.

My advice would be to believe in yourself, take that first step and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Sometimes, the opportunities that scare you the most can become the ones that help you grow the most.

In three words, how would you describe the impact of receiving Henderson funding?

Empowering. Transformative. Motivating.