October 2018 Summaries

Civis is a startup that aims to help governments communicate more effectively with Indian citizens by providing an interface for them to engage with policy changes. The platform uses social media platforms and gamification to collect feedback from citizens, which is then presented to legislators in 3-minute sessions. Civis was founded on the principles of public sector tech, driven by the need to bridge the gap between citizens and policymakers, particularly in India where access to information and participation are limited. The founders leveraged Bubble, a website builder that offers flexibility and customization, to create the platform. Civis has found success in engaging citizens through cultural factors and mass media partnerships, and is now exploring new features such as gamification, video explanations, and translation APIs to expand its reach. The startup plans to introduce these features over the coming months, with a focus on scaling up its impact to shape a new narrative for democracy using technology.

The creator of Make Fortnite Skins started making the website after noticing a community interest in skins for Fortnite and using Bubble, a user-friendly platform for creating websites and applications, to produce it. The site gained immense popularity, with over 150,000 visits within three weeks, and was featured in several major news outlets, including Forbes and IGN. The creator's experience highlights the potential for individuals from smaller towns or with limited resources to create successful businesses. They attribute their success to their personal willingness to learn and adapt, rather than external factors such as location or age. The creator also emphasizes that gaming can develop skills like problem-solving, math, and reaction time, although excessive gaming can have negative effects. They offer advice for young adults looking to start their own startup or launch an app, encouraging them to recognize the potential for success from anywhere and to be open to learning and adapting in order to overcome opposition and achieve their goals.