How OURZ is supporting parents
We talk to the cofounders of the Kuwait-based OURZ app to learn about the founders platform, mental health, diversity in STEM and more.
I recently had the pleasure to interview the cofounders of Kuwait-based OURZ for this year’s Ada Lovelace Week. We first met Sitah (Information and Systems Analyst) and Wasmiyah (Computer Teacher) on the ‘Demystifying AI’ panel and I was keen to learn more about their inspiration behind OURZ, their startup journey and hear their advice to other female founders!
Tell me more about OURZ?
Ourz is a platform where parents can interact with other users to share, exchange, and learn more about parenthood. Besides by using AI Algorithms users can reach people who are in the same situation or case. However, Ourz provide a safe platform where users have the option to interact anonymously.
Why did you build OURZ — and how did you get started?
As Plato said, “Our need will be the real creator”. Wasmiyah was struggling to find answers to her questions as a new mother. She joined different of groups and follow different accounts to help her find the answers she needs. However, she felt she have lost time in process to find the answers, and then here is where Ourz started.
In your opinion, why is mental health such an important topic and what gap is OURZ filling in this space?
Mental health is invisible and the opposite of physical health. Therefore, when the person suffers and fights alone in a battle no one sees thinking they are alone while they are not alone. That’s why self-awareness is important, they must be aware of their condition and ask for help. Ourz will target the users who need help and link them with a proper specialist.
What is the most important thing that has helped you on your startup journey so far? (for example, accelerator, programme, community, resources etc.)
Sitah and Wasmiyah have a technical background from their colleges. Wasmiyah have wrote research called “Google Tango and ARCore Under The View of Augmented Reality” and she was interested in the Business before starting Ourz. Sitah have learned the essentials of creating projects and how to communicate with agencies and companies from her actual work.
What advice would you give to young women who are interested in a career in technology or artificial intelligence?
Sitah and Wasmiyah encourage all the ladies who want to enter the career of technology or artificial intelligence. The important thing is to start even if the start was slow, they can make it with baby steps. Before starting they have to know what problem they are solving to find the proper technology for their project.
Did you have any role models in startups or technology growing up? Are there any female founders who inspired you during your career?
Dr. Zainab Almeraj is the founder and leading organizer of GDG Kuwait & WTM Kuwait, and ArabWIC Kuwait chapters. Sitah was Dr. Zainab’s student and joined the workshops and hackathon Dr. Zainab organized. Wasmiyah also joined the workshops and hackathon where she meets Sitah. Dr. Zainab has established a lot and focuses on women in the technology. In the other hand Dr. Zainab advocate for human rights.
What are your thoughts on diversity in technology? What can we do to improve diversity?
According to Built In around 25% of jobs in technology are held by women in 2021. Women in technology field are less but compared to the past few years the gap is decreasing. However, young women need encouragement to enter the technology field and they need the chance to experience it. To improve diversity, it’s important to focus on women needs as they can contribute more.
What resources would you recommend for women working in technology?
These communities or groups can provide helpful contents to support women in technology:
Huge thank you to Sitah and Wasmiyah for taking the time to speak to us!
We hope you can join us for Ada Lovelace Week — use #AdaLovelace and #WomenInTech on socials to shout your support and celebrate the women you respect. You can follow the content we’re publishing this week via the #AdaLovelace tag here on Medium.
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