Iddris Sandu: Ghana’s Tech Genius Making Global Impact

Iddris Sandu, a 25-year-old entrepreneur, is the first black creator under 30 to raise a double-digit million-dollar seed round for a company whose total capital now exceeds $14 million. The Ghanaian-born digital architect moved to Harbor City in Los Angeles, California, when he was 3 years old. Together with Nipsey Hussle, they developed the first smart retail store experience in history called “The Marathon Store”.

Iddris Sandu works on projects in his early years

At age eight, Iddris Sandu began using a public library to learn and practice computer programming. At 13, he was already an intern who contributed to various Google projects such as Google Plus. At 15, Iddris developed a smartphone app that made it easier for students to locate their schools.

After high school, he made the decision not to apply for admission to a college or university. He rather decided to pursue internships and consultancy, working with organisations including Uber, Snapchat, Instagram, Lockheed Martin, and Twitter. At 19, Sandu started developing his own apps and other software applications.

Iddris Sandu invents a software product

Iddris Sandu created a microprocessing software tool called LNQ Generation One chip that clears the confusion about whether one is buying an original piece of clothing or a cheap replica. The microprocessor can be incorporated into actual items like clothing.

It works by simply scanning the item with your phone to verify the authenticity of the outfit. It will also show you additional sizes and colour options for the product. When you buy the item, it is saved into the blockchain similar to a non-fungible token (NFT), making it a digital asset as well.

Iddris Sandu raises money for his business

His Web3 infrastructure business, Spatial Labs, announced a $10 million seed fundraising round headed by venture capital firm Blockchain Capital. Additional funding for the round also came from Jay-Z’s Macy Venture Partners as well as others.

Iddris Sandu’s collaboration on projects

Iddris has provided technical design advice and engineering support to businesses like Twitter and Snapchat. He developed the “Autonomous Collision Detection Interface,” a piece of software for Uber that can track a driver’s hand movements and position. The young techie has also collaborated with celebrities like Jaden Smith, Jay Z, Rihanna and Kanye West on several other projects.

Iddris introduced Kanye West to quantum computing, spatial mapping, and how these technologies may influence his art. He also worked on a confidential project named Yeezy Sense. The young guru joined Adidas’ initiative to #EndPlasticWaste and also serves as a design and technology consultant for Kanye West’s business.

To crown it all, Barack Obama presented Sandu with the honorary Presidential Scholars Award in recognition of the mobile app he created.

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