KOMPAS is a dependable city exploration application that uses machine learning to personalise content based on individual preferences and interests. We present tailored reviews and a hassle free way of exploring your city. You can customise your journey in a way that suits exactly what you want to do. Find unique, relevant and undiscovered locations in your own back yard. Street art, underground jazz bars and much more is just waiting to be found. We're able to scale in any city, in short, intense periods of time, by producing unique, relevant and unique content.
1. Who are you outside of being cofounder of KOMPAS?
First and foremost, I’m a family person and I always make time for my friends. I’m quite a musical person, I’m into many genres – there are only a few genres I’m not into – also, I enjoy producing music and understanding the backgrounds of the musicians. I am a traveller, a graphical designer artist, a sports enthusiast – I like to lead a healthy lifestyle.
2. What is the ‘why’ behind KOMPAS and what you do within it?
Olivia and Tom, my two co-founders, came to me with the concept of a product which allows travellers to discover hidden places within the city and allow it to be tailored to each individual’s palette. As an individual with a love for travel, tech and design – KOMPAS is a great fit.
With KOMPAS, we wanted to cut down on the noise that wasn’t relevant to the individual in the world of travel recommendations and provide a platform for small businesses to connect with travellers.
Kurt Henderson, photography by Moyesa.Co. Source: OneTech
3. Tell us about your entrepreneurial pursuits and what you have learnt along the way.
Prior to being involved in the technology industry, I was always working on something. In secondary school, my best friend and I set up the first basketball club in our school. Then I started producing music at 17. When I was 18, I began a record label which allowed me to develop and strengthen my business acumen. Also, I had a technology blog which allowed me to learn about and give others insight into all the tech stuff that was coming out. Now I’m working on KOMPAS, which, when we started we didn’t have the clearest of ideas, our idea was pushed forward mainly by having conversations and learning from these conversations.
"I've learnt that conversations and feedback about your product are very important."
Creative Destruction Labs in Canada, Toronto in Summer 2018. L-R: Kurt, Tom and Olivia.
4. What do you love about travel and exploring a new city?
I love the cultural enrichment and enlightenment that comes along with exploring a new city.
I often ask myself, “What makes that culture tick? How does this culture relate to my own?”
I always want to get the most out of the experience. Travelling is a journey and an adventure, part of the experience is what you learn along the way and the self-enrichment that comes along with embarking on a new adventure.
5. With all the great things you’re doing, how do you live in the moment?
I like to step away from time to time, often, I have to remind myself not to get caught up in all of it.
Having said that, it is easy to get tunnel vision and then find it difficult to overcome the problems. This can happen by solely focusing on what I am doing, so it is really good to look at other things. As a designer, it is very good to have breaks, it helps to avoid roadblocks and allows me to draw from new sources of inspiration. This inspiration can come from music, travel, spending time with friends or doing sports – I’m open and ready to be inspired.
6. What’s the vision for you and KOMPAS?
For KOMPAS, we want to continue helping people, promoting small businesses, connecting individuals to small businesses and vice versa. It’s all about allowing individuals to get their own experience of that city and avoid tourist traps along the way. Our long term goal is to move into other verticals of industry and to connect with other industries, using our experiences of KOMPAS to guide us.
For myself, I want to continue being an inventor, as I always knew it was a space I wanted to be in even as a little boy. I enjoy creating new ideas and seeing people react to them through their reactions and expressions. Additionally, mentorship is a huge part of the vision. I plan to continue giving back to communities, inspiring those who want to embark on a similar journey and want to take steps to see those potential dreams come to life.
"Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down." - Charles F. Kettering
Check out a recent feature in a OneTech article discussing more about the journey
Download KOMPAS – Available on the App Store, Google Play
