Meet Idea Incubator Cohort member, Amali Krigger

In the ever-evolving landscape of tech entrepreneurship, individuals like Amali Krigger are pushing the boundaries of innovation and creating solutions that address real-world problems. As the founder and developer of a groundbreaking app in the Virgin Islands, Amali's journey is a testament to the transformative power of technology.

What inspired you to start your tech entrepreneurship journey, and what problem or opportunity were you looking to address?

I have been a professional software developer for years, and I have always wanted to create my own product. I was introduced to Flutter in 2019 by a friend and fell in love with their approach to cross-platform mobile app development.

I've longed to create my own app, and after working with a few clients, I finally started my own. I just wanted to create anything to say I have an app on the app store, finally. So, I embarked on trying to create my own version of one of my favorite apps, Turo.

Locals can benefit from the peer-to-peer car rental industry, especially since our islands thrive off tourism. It will not only be a cool, flexible, and convenient way for tourists to get around but also a way for locals to make some extra money. It would also curtail some of the restrictions and frustrations from traditional car rental companies, and I hope that it can become the standard way to rent vehicles in the VI.

What role has mentorship played in your entrepreneurial journey, and do you have any advice for finding the right mentor in the tech field?

Mentorship has played a huge role in my journey for many reasons. One of the most important is getting insight on how to do something. Many times in tech, there are 1000 ways to skin a cat, and it is hard to choose the best one. Getting mentorship from experienced individuals has helped a lot in this aspect.

There is also all the stuff that has to be done outside of developing the app, like starting a legitimate business, getting your business license, conducting the necessary legal and marketing research, creating a logo, knowing all the steps throughout the app development process, and creating a marketing plan.

All these components are very important, and I am grateful to have gotten advice and assistance for all these tasks.

How do you navigate the ever-changing regulatory and legal landscape in the tech industry?

I try to stay current with the laws surrounding my app's concept, security, and data privacy. I adhere to relevant laws and regulations, staying updated on evolving standards. I read medium articles and watch YouTube videos.

What ethical considerations do you consider when developing and marketing tech products or services, especially in data privacy and artificial intelligence?

I consider cost and a fair pricing model for my app. I aim to make our apps accessible to a broad audience by providing accessibility. I listen to user feedback and prioritize user needs and concerns, which also helps with making my MVP leaner.

Security is very important. Regarding data privacy, people's sensitive information should be protected. Protecting user data, ensuring transparency about data collection and use, and giving users control over their information should be respected. Safeguarding data from breaches or misuse should be prioritized. Consent should be obtained before data collection and processing. People also shouldn't have their information shared with other companies or organizations without their consent.

Standard data protection practices should be considered in the cloud, the code, and the database. When developing, you need to assess the market for your product and also research the legality and regulations around it.

I haven't utilized AI much when developing or marketing, but I tell people to use ChatGPT as a resource instead of an answer to everything. I think that it creates issues around education when it comes to cheating, but it can also serve as a great resource when used ethically.

Growing up in the Virgin Islands, did you ever think you would have a tech career?

No, I didn't. Growing up, I dreamed of being a professional basketball player, but my grandfather always urged me to have a plan b. I would always tell him I wanted to be a graphic designer for video games.

Who is a fellow Caribbean Techies that you admire?:

Israel Dennie, Sherise Gumbs, Zayd Saleem, Destiny Frett, Tarik McMillan

If there was an app that could bake and immediately deliver your favorite tart, what flavor would always be on your favorite list?:

Coconut

Which fun, existing tech advancement do you wish you created?

I wish I either created ChatGPT, Turo, Farm Shelf, or Farm Pod.

What is something fun you've accomplished using AI technology?

I am writing code faster and better and starting my own Caribbean children's book by getting the initial story and graphics from ChatGPT and MidJourney.

If technology in the Territory allowed you to work all day at the beach, which one would it be?

Cane bay