Michael McCreadie (L 15): From Student Start-Up to AI Innovation

From a university start-up to an innovative AI-powered storage platform, Michael McCreadie (L 15) is making his mark in the world of entrepreneurship. Following Keepr’s nomination in the Future of AI category at the EASIES, we spoke with Michael to learn more about his journey and his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Could you tell us a little about your company?

Keepr is a technology company looking to make storage simpler and more accessible. We’re developing a platform that connects customers with storage space and transport, using AI to coordinate everything from collections and deliveries to managing their belongings. The idea is to make arranging storage as easy as booking an Uber.

What inspired you to start your own business?

It all started when I was studying Computer Science at the University of York in 2016. My dad couldn’t collect me and my belongings at the end of term, and I wasn’t particularly keen on taking everything home on the bus! I looked into local storage options, but they were expensive and inconvenient. The following year, I used my student loan to buy a van and some cardboard boxes, and started offering a storage service to friends at university. I’d collect their belongings, store them over the summer and deliver everything back the following term.

Word spread, and what started as a small university venture gradually grew into Kit Keeper, which by 2021 was operating across 40 UK cities. That experience eventually inspired Keepr and the idea of using AI to make storage even simpler.

What has been your biggest highlight so far?

One of the biggest highlights has been seeing customers use Keepr from start to finish without any human intervention. There are hundreds of different processes working together behind the scenes, so seeing the AI successfully coordinate everything has been really rewarding.

What does being nominated for the Future of AI category at the EASIES mean to you?

Being shortlisted in the Future of AI category is incredibly exciting. We’ve put a huge amount of work into developing Keepr, so it’s encouraging to have the idea recognised. The potential investment, exposure and connections would help us accelerate development and bring Keepr to more customers. For a growing business, having people believe in what you’re building and help open doors can make an enormous difference.

What advice would you give to current Wellington pupils or young OWs interested in entrepreneurship?

Speak to as many people as possible along the journey whether it’s at the very start or many years in. It’s all a learning process, but ultimately everyone knows something you don’t, and it’s often the conversations you least expect that lead to a useful idea, an intro or a different way of looking at a problem. Be curious and ask questions.

Support Keepr at the EASIES

Keepr has been nominated in the Future of AI category at the EASIES. If you’d like to support Michael and the Keepr team, you can cast your vote here.

With thanks to Michael McCreadie (L 15).