From Internation student to Founder: The Entrepreneurial Journey of Mirkazim Seyidzade
Every entrepreneurial journey begins with an idea, but only a few are able to transform that spark into something that changes people’s lives. Mirkazim Seyidzade, the Co-founder and CEO of TALABApp, embodies this spirit of resilience and innovation. His story is not just about building businesses—it’s about solving problems that truly matter.
The First Chapter: Building and Exited 2.8x Profit a Concierge Company
Mirkazim’s entrepreneurial path began in his home country, where he identified a gap in the local market for personalized concierge services. With a strong vision and the determination to succeed, he built a concierge company from the ground up.
Within just 2 years, the business grew into a profitable enterprise and gained enough traction to attract buyers. The successful sale of the company wasn’t only a financial milestone, it gave Mirkazim the confidence, experience, and entrepreneurial maturity to pursue even bigger opportunities.
A Vision for Students: The Birth of TALAB App
After moving to the UK, Mirkazim turned his attention to a challenge that affects thousands of international and local students where navigating university life, services, and resources through fragmented platforms.
He noticed how students often struggle with:
- Finding affordable accommodation
- Accessing part-time jobs
- Connecting with services for daily needs
- Managing tasks that take valuable time away from studies
Driven by the belief that technology should simplify lives, he launched TALAB App.
Solving over 8,000 Student Problems in One Platform
Today, TALAB App serves more than 8,000 students, offering a centralized solution that connects them with airport meet and greet, cleaning services, housing options, jobs, club & bar bookings, and community support – all in one place. The platform eliminates the stress of searching across multiple websites, allowing students to save time, money, and effort.
What sets TALAB App apart is not just its functionality, but also its student-first philosophy. Mirkazim and his team actively engage with students to understand their pain points and continuously adapt the platform to meet their needs.
Lessons from the Entrepreneurial Journey
Looking back, Mirkazim emphasizes three key lessons from his entrepreneurial path:
- Start with a problem, not just an idea. His ventures stemmed from real challenges people face, whether it was busy professionals needing concierge services or students struggling with access to resources.
- Adapt quickly. Building and selling a company in just 2 years required agility, decision-making, and the ability to pivot when necessary.
- Think impact, not just profit. TALAB is more than a business, it’s a mission to students and make their lives easier.
Why TalabApp Stands Out
- Built from lived experience: Mirkazim designed TALAB App to solve his own struggles as a student.
- Holistic, student-centric platform: Not just services, but a community, a guide, a one-stop lifeline.
- Rapid adoption & positive feedback: Thousands of users in months, with consistent 5-star app ratings and testimonials.
- Committed to innovation: Continual app updates (e.g. version 2.0.1 with dynamic booking forms, in-app payments, file uploads, real-time tracking) reinforce the platform’s agility and user-first promise.
The Road Ahead
Founded in 2024, TalabApp was born from Mirkazim’s personal experiences and built alongside CTO Sam Zulfigar, an IT and engineering expert. With TALAB already helping thousands of students, the future looks even brighter. Mirkazim envisions expanding its reach, integrating more services, and leveraging technology like AI to personalize student experiences.
As an entrepreneur, his journey is a powerful reminder that success comes not just from spotting opportunities, but from creating solutions that truly make a difference.
The Visionary Path of Mirkazim Seyidzade:
Entrepreneurship is about seizing opportunities to solve real challenges. For Mirkazim Seyidzade, that vision began with launching a tech concierge business, and today it’s flourishing through TALAB, the UK’s first student concierge app, redefining how international students navigate university life.
A Foundation in Tech Concierge Services & Early Success
Mirkazim’s career began in his home country, where he launched a concierge business that grew rapidly in just 2 years. Successfully selling it endowed him with both entrepreneurial experience and financial stability – enabling him to envision a platform that does more than provide services: one that truly supports people in transition.
Becoming a Student in the UK: A Spark for Innovation
In 2017, Mirkazim moved to the UK as an international student. Confronted with challenges that many encounter, searching for affordable housing, cleaning services, visa help, transport, nightlife, and social integration, he realized the inefficiencies and uncertainties of navigating fragmented systems. That real, everyday struggle became the catalyst for TalabApp.
The Future: Scaling Impact with Purpose
Looking ahead, TalabApp has a clear trajectory: deepening its service offerings, expanding to more universities across the UK (and potentially beyond), and leveraging technology, possibly AI, to deliver more personalized assistance and seamless student experiences.
