A first generation Brit has used her knowledge of tech to set up a series of businesses in Suffolk which she hopes will connect people and build communities.

Suffolk-based Mandeep Birdy says her parents are Punjabi and she feels "quite lucky" to have the best of two worlds. She is the creator of The Felixstowe App (download on Google Play store or App Store), founder of Elevation Networks and App Studios, and co-founder of Hope to Connect. She says she has inherited the culture, love, work ethic and heritage of India, and the spirit of innovation and hope here in the UK.

Here she explains her business journey:

What makes your small business unique?

With a 20-year background in social impact work, community development and marketing, my passion is to make great works well-known, and to use all the wonderful things that marketing, community and tech are capable of, to champion and forward those that make a difference in the world. Whether working with multimillion MedTech manufacturers, to mentors, to organisations that investigate abuse in the field of mental health for justice, a fundamental belief I've always used in my work is that genuine and authentic connection changes lives.

Marketing, community, and technology are powerful tools when they're used well. I get a thrill from combining these in creative ways to bring bold ideas to life and boost brand awareness. The impact that results, whether it's social impact or business impact, it's always so beautiful.

What inspired you to set up your own business?

People inspire me every day. Their human spirit, creativity and desire to do something to help another, this inspires me more than anything. My favourite clients are those that genuinely serve a need, and serve that need with enthusiasm and care. I began to focus on using technology for good in 2020, during one of the toughest times we've all experienced - covid.

I saw how damaging constant negative news was for people's mental health. That inspired me to create The Felixstowe App, my first app and the first of its kind in the area. My goal was to share as many uplifting local stories as I could, and to support local businesses through this troubling time. Many people in the community reach out to me to tell me how the app helped their mental health and feelings of loneliness. It was a really beautiful response and far more valuable than I ever imagined.

That experience showed me how tech, can change lives on a large scale. And that's what inspired me to set up App Studios Ltd, so other businesses and organisation can harness that same power for the impact they wish to create.

Why did you choose Suffolk as the home for your business?

I was raised in Suffolk so have a huge love for it. It's a very peaceful and quaint county with so many creative, wholesome, innovative businesses.

My first app clients are based in Suffolk - the very first wanted an event and community app for Life Arts, the largest mind, body, spirit festival in Suffolk. That was so much fun as I really got to help the founder with his vision of the app and how it would help his community thrive.

My first partnership was with the Business Growth Coaches Network. Their mentorship program, Start, Build & Grow is a wonderful free business support programme for pre-launch and early-stage businesses, social enterprises and non-profits in Ipswich, launched in partnership with the Ipswich Borough Council, AMS Business Consultants and the University of Suffolk, and funded by the UK government.

Being able to pluck from my experience all those wonderful aspects of community development, creative impact and user experience, to result in the ideation and design of this app, a go-to, all-in-one resource, that boosts the learning experience and engagement, and provides sustainable ongoing support for participants of the program. I really couldn't be more honoured and the feedback was stunning.

In 2024, App Studios Ltd became an award-winning company, winning App Provider of the Year for London & South East of England. That was one of my biggest achievements. App Studios has branched out to help other councils and their mentorship programs, as well as other wonderful businesses.

What is your 'stand-out moment' so far as a business owner?

In August 2024, I set up Elevation Networks, a networking community for purpose-driven professionals. It was an idea I had for several years, with the goal to bring together professionals from all over the world who elevate their client's life through their services, knowledge-sharing and collaboration, and thus, by default, elevate their own life.

With 20 countries having attended our online events, some of the connections have been truly breath-taking.

My second stand-out moment was when I met the lovely Emma Adams, a local lady with an aggressive triple negative stage 4 breast cancer. She had an idea for an app to help people through cancer loneliness, something Emma personally experienced quite profoundly. After some wonderful creative meetings, we evolved the idea and in March 2025, we went into partnership and co-founded Hope to Connect. Like so many, I've lost close family and friends to cancer. Watching them fade away is one of the most heartbreaking things to see, and knowing that you'll never be able to give them the understanding they truly need, is incredibly painful. When Emma asked me to go into partnership, I knew that together we could develop something very beautiful and unique. Something to help people connect with others going through a similar cancer journey. Our mission is to help people with cancer feel wanted, connected and supported by an understanding community, through friendship, or who knows, perhaps even love.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?

For me, the relationships we build are everything. I see every project as a partnership, not a transaction, so it’s vital that we collaborate with people who share that same spirit of trust, creativity and mutual respect. This applies across the board; to clients, associates, partners and suppliers. I work alongside people who value the process as much as the outcome.

It has taken time, discernment, and learning to build a network who fit this ethos. but it’s also been one of the most rewarding parts of running a business, because when the fit is right, the results are extraordinary.