Farah Brunache is the founder of Lagatos and an alumnae of the Spring 2020 Cohort of the Because Accelerator. Lagatos works to expand internet access through a network of small, portable routers. Customers can purchase an affordable router, which attaches to their phone and provides Wi-Fi hotspots wherever they go. Lagatos subscribers can then tap into this Wi-Fi network for more comprehensive, faster internet access.

Farah is a maker and tech developer, who focuses on creating access for storytellers and makers to elevate their stories online. She’s also the founder of Electric Feel, a business that creates external battery packs for charging electric vehicles.

She was inspired to start Lagotos after witnessing her grandmother’s frustration accessing Wi-Fi for her smartphone.

ADDRESSING THE LACK OF GLOBAL WIFI ACCESSIBILITY

“Four billion people worldwide don’t have daily access to the internet, even though 75% of them have a mobile phone,” explained Farah.

Lagatos aims to change these numbers.

Her customer base is primarily located in Haiti and Ghana but within five years, Farah shares, “our hope is to be in five African countries, and by year ten have a presence in all African countries, as well as serv[e] Indigenous populations.”

With the growing platform of gig economy workers, freelance creators and entrepreneurs, Farah sees Lagatos as an opportunity to support makers in learning, marketing and shaping their craft or career. “Access to the Internet enables a level of freedom for people to choose what they want to become and learn it,” she says.

Farah is “most excited to start hearing from more storytellers. Content online mimics the lives of people who have access to the Internet, which makes sense. But this also means we all hear fewer voices of the first-hand stories by diverse populations. I look forward to the future of more people telling their own stories.”

LAGATOS IN THE BECAUSE ACCELERATOR

In the Accelerator, Farah is especially excited about mentorship in managing a supply chain and measuring Lagatos’ impact. Her experiences in the program so far have helped her realize the importance of innovating in “small iterations to reach your ultimate goal.”

“Thus far I have taken comfort in the transparency of the Because Accelerator,” she says. “This week, I reviewed a case study of Kenton and Andrew's early prototypes, and how on one of their trips their prototype didn't work as expected. This has happened to me, and to be frank, I was ashamed. The program has shown me that [troubleshooting] is a good thing.”

Learn more about the Because Accelerator and ways to get involved.