Disruptr: Mahadhir Yunus, CEO & Co-founder of Krenovator
Share with us on what you do and what inspired you to start the business.
- Krenovator is a tech talent platform that provides access to talent searching for career opportunities global companies. We also provide free coding classes and training every month as well as community support; peer support and mentorship.
- What inspired me to start this was my pain point back during my early days in the software industry which has faced a shortage of tech talent.
- The life span of programmer in comparison to those who are enginners has limitations. Most of them tend to change career or move out of industry in their late 40s due to screen fatigue, new language or framework adaption and rapid changes of technology.
- Technical hiring proved to be an issue as well. There was no validation to justify their skills in CVs as it requires a long process that goes back and forth of technical test to validate their skills.
- We also believe there are many untapped talents that have capabilities to be good developers. It is wrong to assume that only those with computer science certificates can apply for these jobs. A lot of them are from other professional background.
- Talents also faced problems as a newcomer or someone who need to build up their portfolio but didn’t know where to start without guidance and support.
- We feel the need to fill the gap. Hence, we create tech talent community where they can get free coding classes, training and event every month along with community support from Peers & mentorship from industrial expert. Everything is online so it is easier for everyone to join. There is also a technical test they can do and practise and career opportunity for them.
- For businesses, we simplified the complexity of the technical hiring and help to save up more than 80% of the process. On our platform, we filter and verify talent skillset based on industrial requirement, thru technical test and produce instant result within three (3) seconds. Legitimacy of the test is guaranteed as the technical test recorded everything and will be provided as a proof.
What has the journey been like?
- To be honest it has been tough. We started our business model and worked towards validating our idea during Covid-19, which was difficult because almost everyone looking for something to survive. But thankfully, we managed, business model is working well and still growing until today.
- There were a lot of challenges and issue occurred but we are passionate to help those who need to learn and upskill so they can improve towards a better life.
Biggest achievement and what is one regret that you wish you had or had not done?
- Our biggest achievement is to be able to build a career for our talents. To be able to help in preparing them to meet industry requirement skill, get a job placement they desire with good salary and can get a better life.
- Biggest regret? I got nothing to regret, because I do something that I love. The pain, the happiness, the loss, the tears, the struggle are all worth it.
Where do you see yourself in the next 1 year?
- Growing the number of talents across Southeast Asia up to 10 times than what it is today. Apart from that, we hope to grow the company up to 5-10 times bigger with strong business fundamentals. The goal is to bring South East Asia talents to the global scene.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
- I hope to see Krenavator as one of the biggest tech talent pool hubs in Southeast Asia and fulfil digitalisation demand around the globe.
What keeps you going to keep running the business?
- Helping those who need a chance to improve their career and life.
- There’s one time, where someone stopped me, and thanked me for the opportunity given. I didn’t recognize him at first because all our communications were online so we don’t really know each other in person.
- Krenovator truly changed his life through our platform. It was back then during first year of Covid-19 when every industry struggled. He was lost until he found out about our community.
- From there he learnt about programming, language and started to build a portfolio. He did the technical test and passed. We helped to connect him to a company that needed someone to get the job done. From that point forward, everything changed.
- Not only did he survive, with the salary he received he managed to support his sister’s education.
- I have made my mission since then to help those who want to have a better career and life.
What is one local startup you would like to work together with and why?
- I would love to work with any tech company. The more the merrier.
Who is one founder (local or international) that you look up to?
- Steve Jobs. His idea changed the whole smartphone industry which in return impacted the advancement of the digital world. He innovated smartphones to be one of the essential things in life.
Why should investors invest in your startup?
- We are growing and moving to be the biggest tech talent pool hub in Southeast Asia. As the technology is changing rapidly, the demand of tech talent is increasing as well. Through our platform we know we can help a lot of young people out there towards better career and life.