Meet the Founder: Ranja Ali

Our final “Meet the Founder” post from our tech incubator cohort in Sulaimani features, Ranja Ali, founder of Boto, a brand that supports using plant-based products for daily life in different ways.

Can you give a brief introduction about yourself?

I'm Ranja Ali from Sulaimani. I am 19 years old and am an award-winning filmmaker and movie writer. I started to gain skills as an entrepreneur in 2019, and I founded Boto to help my country and community with health education and to give more plant-based options to everyone in Iraq.

What is your business idea?

Boto is a brand that supports using plant-based products for daily life in different ways. It provides people in Kurdistan/Iraq with a healthy lifestyle by making it easier to choose plant-based foods and drinks. 

What challenges is your business addressing?

People in Iraq who have tried to be vegan/vegetarian or who have health issues with animal products need the option to consume special food and drink to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Before Boto, these options were not readily available in the market. 

Can you tell us about your experience starting your business?

When I started my business idea I got so motivated, and I realized there are so many people who wanted to join our community and brand. It can often be a struggle as a start-up with a new big idea that helps the environment and supports the health of people, but so many people - from celebrities to politicians - showed us support to start and grow bigger across Iraq. 

What advice do you have for someone trying to start their own project/business?

Believe in your idea, and start taking the steps necessary to make it happen. Take every opportunity that you get benefits from and don't get stuck on one thing. Try to see the world from different perspectives, learn from every different idea and use your creativity to solve a problem.

Why did you join the Five One Labs startup incubator?

I joined the incubator because I needed to open my eyes to business education, make good connections and learn to develop and expand my solutions for different problems I want to fix.

What progress have you made on your business since joining the incubator?

Since joining the incubator, we fixed the idea and made a lot of great connections with big companies, brands, celebrities, politicians, magazines and media. It gave me lifetime benefit to join the Five One Labs community.