I began developing the idea for POCAdvisor in July 2022 after travelling to Australia for my study abroad year, where I suffered racial discrimination in my first week. This experience, along with my time studying and working abroad in countries such as Australia, the USA, and China over the past three years, highlighted a clear need for a platform that offers people of colour more informal, representative reviews about what travel is really like in specific destinations for certain races and ethnicities.
POCAdvisor has been recognised for its innovation and potential. The business secured over £3,000 in funding after winning the ZIP Entrepreneurship Award and successfully pitching to more than 60 investors. It has hosted an award-winning workshop attended by over 40 participants, testing the concept in a real-world setting. The founder received the Business Student of the Year Award at Birmingham Business School, the institution’s highest accolade, along with £1,000 in prize funding.
POCAdvisor stands out by offering tailored filters that provide personalised travel insights based on users’ racial or ethnic backgrounds. Unlike competitors that focus solely on the Black market, the platform serves all races, addressing a significant gap in the market.