Re-Defining Entrepreneurial Optimism In The Words Of DigsConnect CEO Alexandria Procter

Re-defining entrepreneurial optimism in the words of DigsConnect CEO, Alexandria Procter. Alexandria saw a gap in the market and took full advantage of it. She is now the chief Executive Officer of her own start up, DigsConnect which is doing exceptionally well.

Based off of her own troublesome experience with securing student accommodation, Alexandria took it upon herself to take charge of the situation. She learnt to code, and created a startup known today as DigsConnect. The platform aims to connect SA students with property owners looking to rent out beds, rooms or entire properties.

DigsConnect is undoubtedly South Africa’s first digital solution to student accommodation and Africa’s largest student accommodation marketplace. It currently lists about 70,000 beds in 15 locations nationwide, and growing daily. It is more or less like Airbnb, but for student accommodation.

Alexandria spent countless hours in meetings with people trying to secure co-founders and source for money. Convincing people to leave their jobs of expertise and steady income to hop on her idea was not easy but she persevered. The company’s biggest achievement is raising a whooping R12,000,000 in a seed round, one of the largest in South Africa to date.

Her secret to successful entrepreneurship is very easy. In her own words, “resilience, energy, creativity and obsession,” make a good entrepreneur. She also believes that a willingness to fail and be unpopular before a business can kick off are also key in building thick skin in business. Her focus and determination really serve as an inspiration to many still lacking behind in pursuing their ideas.