For our first installment of the Futures Hub Series, we speak with winner of the LucEnt Competition 2024, Rebecca, who tells us about her time in Cambridge and her company PressPass.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself and how you found yourself at Cambridge?
I initially completed my undergraduate degree in Boston, Massachusetts, where I studied Print and Multimedia Journalism. Following my degree, my initial career was as a reporter, but I also explored other avenues such as politics and marketing. Parallel to this, I also started up a freelance photography business that I still run to this day. It was while my husband was completing his master’s in Italy that I considered going back to further education. I applied to Cambridge’s one-year MBA program and I was lucky enough to be accepted. I’m now completing my MBA and enjoying every minute of it!
Can you tell me a bit about your experience at Lucy Ent weekend?
The Lucy Enterprise Challenge was such an enlightening and valuable experience, from it’s formal dinner, mentoring sessions, and a fast-paced competition. For me the weekend highlighted the importance of building a supportive network, rather than just collecting contacts.. The mentoring provided was particularly impactful, with each of the mentors giving me insights and advice, that might have otherwise taken years to gather if it wasn’t for this event. It was truly a pivotal moment for me and my company, and opened up avenues for me that wouldn’t have been available for me otherwise.
Can you tell me about your company, PressPass, and your ideas going forward?
The idea for PressPass came to me out of my desire to streamline the journalistic process. At its core, the software aims to streamline the workflow for journalists by utilizing open-source intelligence by simplifying the process of gathering information, tracking progress, and managing projects. However, the software not only caters to the immediate needs of journalists but also looks to address the broader challenges facing freelance journalists, including the inefficiencies in finding work and connecting with editors.
My vision for PressPass also extends into creating a sustainable model for freelancers to earn a steady income and I hope to create a platform where journalists can gain residuals from their work, thus addressing market gaps for news stories. Additionally, I’m exploring potential different avenues and ideas on how to tackle issues of trust and misinformation in journalism.
Currently, I’m trying to assemble a team— both co-founders and developers whose vision aligns with my companies core objectives. I’m also laying down the groundwork for our market entry strategy, which involves using insights from mentors and industry experts to conduct market research in a cost-effective manner and getting ready for the next stages of development and launch!
If you want to hear more information about PressPass below;
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