Globana
University of San Francisco School of Management
Industry: Fintech (Payments)
Founding Student Name(s):
- Chibuike Nkemere (BS Economics) – Senior
- Datis Shoushtary (BSBA International Business) – Senior
- Jake Abendroth (BS Computer Science) – Junior
Brief Description of Solution: A multi-currency digital wallet enabling unbanked individuals to store, send, and receive money internationally while accessing U.S.-issued virtual cards for online purchases.
Funding Dollars: $5,000
What led you to launch this venture? I initially thought of building Globana when I was having trouble sending money to my cousin in Nigeria. Being an American citizen, there are barriers in obtaining a local bank account without having a Nigerian NIN number. This same issue applies when onboarding Nigerian users to peer-to-peer payment platforms we have in America such as Cashapp and Zelle, which require U.S. based documentation like an SSN or American bank account. This sparked the idea to build a digital wallet tailored towards the global market first with a universal onboarding and KYC experience.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far with venture? Pitching Globana at our University’s Innovation Summit has been the biggest accomplishment so far. We received tons of support from people who align with our mission of connecting families across borders and have continued to grow the team to make this possible.
How has your business-related major helped you further this startup venture? As an Economics major, the coursework I have completed thus far has refined my perspective on global markets and the importance of international money movement. I have been taught to think critically about incentives and resource allocation which build upon the foundation of network effects and opportunity cost. This has been very important when designing fee structures around user behavior andanalyzing remittance dynamics across currencies while testing adoption strategies.
Which business class has been most valuable in building your startup and what was the biggest lesson you gained from it?Institutions, Markets, and Platforms has been the most valuable class for me while building Globana. The course taught me how platforms create value through network effects and the impact of institutions on market outcomes. This has been incredibly important since user adoption is not based solely on the technology you provide but rather incentives and trust, encouraging users to join and stay.
What business professor made a significant contribution to your plans and why? Professor Johnathan Cromwell has been an instrumental driving force in building Globana because of his support and guidance along the way. He is the reason we participated in our University’s Innovation Summit where we were voted among the audience’s top picks. When it comes to validating ideas and making introductions to people who can further our mission, Professor Cromwell has been an invaluable resource.
What founder or entrepreneur inspired you to start your own entrepreneurial journey? How did he or she prove motivational to you? There are many Entrepreneurs that have shaped my mindset and inspired me to start my own venture. If I had to choose one, it would be Aliko Dangote due to his resilience and perseverance when executing his vision. This is a person I strive to emulate because of his overwhelming impact on the growth of Africa as a continent.
What is your long-term goal with your startup? Our long-term goal for Gloabana is to build an established financial services platform that connects users in both the United States and Africa. We would ultimately like to be a key player in the market helping millions of people move money across borders seamlessly.
How has your local startup ecosystem contributed to your venture’s development and success? The thriving ecosystem of innovation in San Francisco has contributed heavily to the project by providing exposure to brilliant minds and the best resources to bring an idea to life. Due to the city’s small size of just 7×7 miles, the networking opportunities have been prolific and helped us iterate through ideas much faster.
DON’T MISS: MOST DISRUPTIVE BUSINESS SCHOOL STARTUPS OF 2025
© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.
