SOMETIMES people spend their whole lives trying to become entrepreneurs; for others, it happens almost by accident.
Extract from The Herald Scotland
Pooja Katara falls into the latter category. The 28-year-old architect was studying for a masters degree in creative urbanisation at Glasgow School of Art when her thesis project turned into one of the most innovative tourist businesses in the UK: the country's first augmented reality self-guided walking tour.
SENSEcity uses cutting edge visualisation software to bring Glasgow’s past and present to life through archive photography, sound, audio commentary and Ms Katara’s own hand-drawn illustrations showcasing the city’s history and culture. Accessed through an app and used in conjunction with a booklet available throughout the city, the free tour also recommends places to eat, drink and visit along the way.
“I never thought of my thesis as a business until I won the chairman’s medal prize and lots of people in the creative industries told me I should turn the idea into a reality,” explains Ms Katara, who comes from Mumbai.
“That was the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey. I’ve travelled a lot and have always had a love-hate relationship with walking tours. Sometimes they don’t fit your schedule, or you can’t hear what’s being said. I worked with a close friend who is an app designer and really helped me understand augmented reality technology.
“SENSEcity uses sound and texture mapping to create a much more holistic experience for visitors.”
After putting together a business plan and getting endorsement from Glasgow University, Ms Katara was granted an entrepreneurial visa to work in the country. The next key step was being accepted on to RBS’s accelerator programme.