'However exciting a start-up idea may sound, it's essential to validate it first'

Why King's

After my undergraduate degree in Economics & Management Studies at Cardiff University, I was keen to learn more and explore a new and diverse environment in the heart of London. I was drawn to King’s reputation as a Russell Group university, and I wanted to expand my knowledge in accounting and finance.

What are your favourite memories of King’s?

My course was very technical and I didn’t have a background in accounting. Although this was difficult, it helped me bond with so many interesting people. The teaching staff were helpful and there were lots of options in terms of learning, from library sessions to tutorials.

I was determined to graduate with great memories as well as great marks. I have particularly fond recollections of late study sessions with international students. It was interesting meeting people from so many different countries, many of whom I’m still in touch with.

What struck me about King’s was the character of the people. We could really talk, not just about our studies but our experiences, life in London and the good things in our lives as well as the struggles.

What’s a key lesson you learnt at King’s?

King’s helped me develop my knowledge of accounting and I found a job soon after graduating. I learnt a lot from my professors, including the PhD students who taught us. A lot of them were quite young and passionate about their subjects, so I could see myself in their shoes.

One teacher who stood out was Professor Dr Tarik Driouchi, Professor of Financial Management. Everyone wanted to study his modules as he made us really love the subject.

How did BeWorks begin?

I started job-searching in London while doing my dissertation. Being a non-EU citizen meant I needed employment sponsorship, so I had to work extra hard. Fortunately, I got an accounting job in a tech start-up. It was a great experience to see all the ups and downs of start-up life first-hand.

I left after four years and started BeWorks Automation. It was a bit of a lonely journey at first. I was mainly working on the website, building brand awareness and value proposition. Knowing how UK start-ups worked helped me build a foundation. BeWorks grew from there.

What are you most proud of?

I’m proud of advocating for accessibility. BeWorks investors were initially sceptical about this topic and felt there wasn’t enough of a demand for accessible charging stations.

However, accessible charging stations not only benefit older and disabled drivers, but they also support neurodivergent people and those with hidden disabilities. They also provide a simpler and more convenient charging experience for all EV drivers, as no one wants a difficult or frustrating charging process.

While talking to investors, I was pleasantly surprised at how receptive people were to the concept and I’ve noticed a growing support for accessibility within the industry.

Have you faced any challenges?

Fundraising was difficult initially. It became a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation. People wanted to see a prototype before investing, but we didn’t have the money to build it. Thanks to crowdfunding and support from grant organisations, we were able to progress. It was a challenge, but I’m proud that we kept going.

You volunteered for King’s Business School. What did that involve?

In 2023, I spoke at a King’s International Women’s Day event. It was a lovely session, where I shared what entrepreneurship means for me and I offered advice to students on starting their own businesses. I had some great conversations with students afterwards. One of them ended up doing an internship at BeWorks.

I went to similar events as a student, so being on the other side felt very natural and nostalgic at the same time.

What’s next?

We’re expanding the BeWorks team and preparing to deploy our chargers to customers. I’m looking forward to finding ways to grow BeWorks and sharing success stories.

I also hope to spend more time with family and explore the world. I’d love to travel to Southeast Asia. A friend of mine from university lives in Malaysia and she’s getting married, so I’m hoping to visit her.

Any advice for alumni wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Some founders believe that once they have an idea, it must be the perfect one and that nothing can prove otherwise. However exciting an idea may sound, it is essential to validate it first. Take time to understand the problem you’re trying to solve and speak to real users or customers to confirm the need genuinely exists.

It’s also important to research whether similar solutions already exist and to understand what they do well and where they fall short. This will help you refine your idea and identify what truly makes it different or better. Being open to feedback and willing to adapt your idea is just as important as having the idea itself. Strong businesses are built not just on inspiration, but on evidence that the solution creates real value.

Learn more about Fidan's company, BeWorks