Navigating the complex immigration process can be a daunting and stressful experience for many. This is particularly true for individuals who are not native English speakers and may face additional challenges in understanding and completing the necessary paperwork. Recognizing this gap, a team of students, including at least one from Drexel University, founded REVESH with the aim of streamlining the immigration process. REVESH, a recent winner of the Drexel Startups Fund, is developing innovative software to simplify document processing and improve the overall immigration experience.
The REVESH Solution
Co-founded by Drexel’s own Nishan Thapa and his team, REVESH is developing innovative software to simplify the document processing for immigration forms. By automating the process and providing multilingual support, REVESH aims to reduce errors, alleviate stress, and save time for immigrants.
“Many people do it manually, and this leads to many mistakes,” Nishan explained. “We want to help immigrants avoid these bureaucratic hurdles and focus on building their new lives.”
From a Drexel Born Idea to Startup Success
Nishan’s entrepreneurial journey began with a conversation with a friend who highlighted the challenges of the immigration process. Recognizing a potential solution, he teamed up with fellow students to develop REVESH.
“Let’s deploy software to these agencies which applies multi-lingual support, and automates the process of filling these forms,” Nishan said. “It would help businesses save money, and help immigrants use their services for a lower price.”
The team leveraged Drexel University’s resources, including mentorship from faculty and access to the Baiada Institute, to refine their business model. Winning the Spring Startups Fund Competition was a pivotal moment that provided the necessary capital to accelerate their growth.
“Amazingly,” Nishan reflected, “we made it through the first round, and got a ton of amazing feedback from the judges.”
With the support of mentors like Chuck Sacco, Vice Dean of the Charles D. Close School, the team was able to refine their pitch and strengthen their business plan.
“For the next week, we didn’t worry about developing the software or going to the market to approach people. I sat with my co-founders and we discussed how we can crack the second round, and move towards the final.”
This critical guidance and perspective from entrepeurail thought leaders was instrumental in their success.
The Drexel Advantage
The Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship is committed to fostering the next generation of innovators at Drexel and beyond. Close School offers a variety of programs and competitions designed to equip students with the entrepreneurial mindset and skills needed to succeed. Participating in competitions like the Startups Fund provides invaluable experience in building a startup, receiving constructive feedback, and pitching for investment.
“It was really fun, but it also helped me become more confident. I had never been to a pitching competition or startup event before, and the exposure helped. Today I can pitch without feeling nervous. The experience made pitching a lot easier for me.”
While the REVESH team shared a strong pre-existing bond as childhood friends, the application process further strengthened their communication and collaboration skills.
A Bright Future
REVESH is poised to become a game-changer in the immigration industry. By streamlining the document processing and providing multilingual support, the startup is addressing a critical need for immigrants worldwide.
“We’re excited about the potential impact REVESH can have,” said Nishan Thapa. “Our goal is to make the immigration process smoother and less stressful for everyone involved.”
With their funding, REVESH is looking to expand their team of developers and sales staff with employees from all around the world. Nishan is looking to increase REVESH’s online presence, and focus on making connections. They hope to network with legal firms who will both benefit from their services, and help improve the team’s startup credibility.
Although REVESH specifically targets immigration forms right now, there’s long-term plans to break into different legal documentation to continue helping immigrants around the country.
