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Intro Platform Connects Users To Celebrity Experts
Intro is a new platform that allows users to book one-on-one video call consults with top-tier industry experts.
Founded by Los Angeles-based entrepreneur Raad Mobren, Intro is the latest platform that allows people to connect with celebrity experts across various fields. Mobren takes his inspiration for the platform from a chance meeting with Paul Orfalea, founder of the copy-chain Kinko’s. When Mobren was 18, he tapped Orfalea on the shoulder and asked if he could quiz the entrepreneur on his business success. Orfalea invited him to a 15-minute sit-down chat, which forever shaped Mobren’s future.
The idea of Intro might sound a little like Masterclass, where fans can receive masterclass tuition from their favorite artists or sports stars, or even Cameo, the platform that lets you order personalized video messages from famous personalities and Hollywood stars. Intro, however, has a different aim: to provide honest, actionable consultations from leading experts such as CEOs, sportspeople, businesspeople, and even interior designers.
“Intro breaks down walls and allows people from all across the world to easily have access to people who once seemed inaccessible. Our dream is that someone’s life will change because they got access to the person they admire, learned valuable information, and were inspired to make the world a better place,” says Raad Mobren, Cofounder & CEO
The platform has some heavyweight celeb backing in the form of Alexis Ohanian (a cofounder of Reddit), Andreessen Horowitz, CAA founder Michael Ovitz, and a growing network of highly accomplished stars. Joining the platform could see experts earning up to $500,000 annually, with a not inconsiderable 30% commission going to Intro.
Also Read: Yela Secures Over $2M To Connect Fans & Celebrities Via Video Messages
So how does the service work? Users either book a series of consulting calls, or simple one-off sessions of 15 minutes to an hour, with prices from $100 to $500. The service encompasses all genres, from entrepreneurial advice and help with business pitches to house remodeling and event planning.
Intro’s experts don’t communicate further outside of the platform, and there’s no chat function or image sharing, so users need to take screenshots or make detailed notes. Still, Intro certainly sounds promising, especially if the makers can entice a decent-sized pool of talent to join the platform.
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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth
The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.