PEOPLE
ENTREPRENEURS EMBA ’17
Deplace was created in response to the trend toward digitalization in the real-estate market. The online platform, co-founded by Valentín Cuervas-Mons, aims to help real-estate owners find buyers, without requiring exclusivity and charging only when the Deplace brokerage is successful. This start-up seeks to differentiate itself from other online real-estate platforms by offering a better price and a more comprehensive service (in an advisory capacity, as well as in administrative procedures and advertising). “Real-estate portals don’t sell houses, they just help you advertise. We want to provide that extra service currently offered by real-estate agencies, but at a fairer price,” says Cuervas-Mons. www.deplace.es
MBA ’03 and MBA ’14
Navozyme, a company focused on technology solutions for the maritime industry, was founded in Singapore by alumni Anjaney Borwankar (MBA ’03) and Kevin Chua (MBA ’14), along with Jitesh Jaipuriyar. Its main focus is the NavozymeMaritime Authentication Platform (N-MAP), a blockchain-enabled platform that facilitates the real-time exchange of critical data between ship owners/masters, ports, classification bodies, port agents and other maritime stakeholders. N-MAP, designed to provide a secure, transparent and irrefutable data network for the maritime sector, allows for the simplification of processes such as customs clearance, and helps eliminate fraud and reduce risk. www.navozyme.com
MBA ‘95
Elena Jori and Gracia Cardona founded Decotherapy, an online platform aimed at anyone who appreciates interior design but lacks the time or knowledge, or is simply looking for professional advice to design their space. Decotherapy is a marketplace that connects private clients and professionals interested in contracting a decoration project online, with a variety of different interior designers and budgets, offering a fixed price per visit, without limitations on time or communication with the interior designer. “We intend to democratize the service of a professional interior designer, making it affordable to everyone,” says Jori. www.decotherapy.com
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APRIL-JUNE 2018 / No. 149
MBA ’05 and MBA ’09
QiDZ is the go-to guide to all kid-friendly activities in the United Arab Emirates. The interactive app lists over 1,500 hotspots, happenings and classes. With six children between them, and successful careers in Dubai, Inés Mena (MBA ’05) and Claudia Ribas (MBA ’09) knew the challenges of juggling their chief social events officer roles with other commitments and activities. For that very reason, they founded QiDZ. “Like many parents, we are winging it most days,” says Ribas. “But we get a real thrill knowing our kids have had a great day when we tuck them in. That’s how QiDZ came about.” www.qidz.com
Alumni Magazine IESE