As a woman in the male-dominated tech entrepreneurship space, Mary-Queenie Adam has come far with her innovative AI-backed business intelligence platform, Trends by Luckydodo. The exciting venture recently raised US$1 million to expand across the Middle East and Africa, with robust plans in the pipeline to use Dubai and Kenya as launchpads. Currently headquartered in the DIFC Innovation Hub in Dubai, the business started in Mauritius when Mary-Queenie and Stephane Adam came together in 2022 in Mauritius with a view to provide brands with difficult-to-get data to understand consumer’s demographic and psychographic data and trends affecting their own brand and also that of their competitors. They fundraised US$1 mn in a pre-seed funding round with family offices and angel investors to take the business beyond Mauritian shores.
Trends by LuckyDodo is currently powered by a team of six, hailing from diverse backgrounds ranging from finance, to AI expertise. With Mary-Queenie and Stephane Adam’s deep roots in banking and data analytics, combined with Sheen Gurrib’s illustrious academic background from Oxford and Cambridge, they bring a blend of practical insight and theoretical excellence to the table. Their Head of AI, a former visiting researcher from Stanford, and a CTO with an Emirates consulting pedigree adds further to their narrative of credibility and future-forward thinking. Mary-Queenie tells us more about how this challenging journey was made possible, with a deep understanding of market dynamics and cultural nuances:
1. At the outset, congratulations on your successful fundraise of US$1 M to expand across the Middle East and Africa! As an AI-backed business intelligence SaaS platform providing hyper-local and granular data to brands about their consumer, the industry and their competitors’ consumer bases, could you tell us more about the business model of Trends by LuckyDodo?
Thank you for the congratulations. Trends by LuckyDodo operates as an AI-backed business intelligence SaaS platform. Our business model focuses on providing hyper-local and granular data insights to brands, enabling them to understand their consumer base, the broader industry, and competitors’ consumer behaviors. We use advanced AI algorithms to analyse large datasets, offering real-time insights and tailored solutions for a diverse range of industries.
2. You mentioned that data is collected directly from consumers through a free lucky draw on your entertainment website (LuckyDodo). Could you elaborate on the data privacy implications of your business model and explain how LuckyDodo makes sure that its customer’s right to privacy is respected?
In collecting data through our free lucky draw, we prioritise data privacy. LuckyDodo adheres to global data privacy standards, anonymising and aggregating customer data before analysis. We ensure explicit consent from users and employ advanced security measures to protect data confidentiality. Regular audits and compliance checks are conducted to align with legal and ethical standards.
3. You note that your AI platform is now headquartered in the DIFC Innovation Hub in Dubai. How has the journey from Mauritius to the DIFC Innovation Hub been, and what have been the key challenges on your path to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur?
The journey from Mauritius to the DIFC Innovation Hub in Dubai has involved adapting to a new business environment, understanding local market and regulatory landscapes, and establishing our presence in a competitive tech ecosystem. Networking and building local relationships have been crucial in gaining credibility in the Middle East market.
4. Being a woman in the male-dominated tech entrepreneurship space, how do you feel about having come so far – and what are the goals that still remain to be achieved?
As a woman in tech entrepreneurship, overcoming gender barriers has been challenging and inspiring. My goals include championing diversity in tech, mentoring aspiring female entrepreneurs, and continuing to innovate in business intelligence, aiming to create a more inclusive tech industry.
5. Could you tell us more about the team powering this innovative enterprise? How important do you feel are good team dynamics to the success of a venture such as yours, especially at the inception stage of the business when everyone is working beyond regular office hours and pulling more than their weight?
Our team consists of diverse talents in AI, data analytics, banking, and business intelligence. Good team dynamics are crucial, especially early on. The dedication and collaborative effort of each member have been fundamental to our success.
6. As you are expanding and wrapping up the investment process accompanying your successful US$1 M fundraise to expand across Middle East and Africa with Dubai and Kenya as your hubs, what advice do you have for other tech entrepreneurs who are trying to make it big in MENA and Sub-Saharan Africa?
For entrepreneurs targeting MENA and Sub-Saharan Africa, understanding market dynamics and cultural nuances is key. Building local networks, remaining adaptable, and focusing on innovative solutions for specific market needs are crucial. Persistence and resilience are also vital in overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities for growth.
