Knowledge Today Can Make a
Different Tomorrow

Creation of Nabu: Josh earned educational benefits after serving in the Air Force. Before he started a new semester at the University of Oklahoma he lost his job. The benefits received from Veteran’s Affairs included a housing allowance as well as full tuition assistance. Even though he could still afford his education, losing his job really opened his eyes to the burden associated with education. It made him question how the average student was able to afford books, supplies, and tuition while working two or more jobs and affording normal survival expenses. Through his realization, Josh wanted to make education more affordable. Nabu is the solution.

Josh has a background in Finance. He has worked for multiple large financial institutions with assets equaling $1B or more. He recently left the position of a Universal Banker where he managed high value accounts/individuals as well as sold company products to facilitate growth and recognition. He spent 4 years in the United States Air Force as an Armament Weapon Specialist loading multiple munitions on highly valuable aircraft in order to pursue further safety for the United States. He was awarded many honors regarding his dedication to the mission and his peers. Josh has nearly completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Oklahoma, a major in Information Studies and a minor in Finance. He believes the convergence of Technology and Finance can greatly benefit the world in ways we as a society have not even conceived yet. His belief in the blockchain/cryptocurrency space has grown since he first really started to research the concept in 2016. “I created Nabu in the hope that I could make a difference in the education sector.”

Jon has a background in Business. He worked for one of the largest Retail/Employer Fortune 500 for the past half-decade. He held a management position in 2 separate departments which generated a multi-million dollar revenue between 2016-2017, an important division utilized for the continued growth of his company. He attended the University of Texas-San Antonio to obtain his Bachelor’s in Business Management. Jon was in charge of creating a loyal customer base and overseeing the continued sales within his department. He managed contract vender relations, maintaining an excellent business-customer basis. His other duties involved the supervision of distribution/receiving of products that are essential to the future of the company. Jon was brought into cryptocurrencies/blockchain after Josh explained his belief in their potential, at which point he began to research for himself. “Knowing friends and family currently handling student debt really hit home for me, I wanted to make sure future students didn’t have those barriers when trying to further their education.”

Aditya has a background in Economics. He has worked in financial services, starting work with a Fortune 500 company where he handled new accounts for retail clients. He followed this with working for a leading bank in Dubai in the risk analytics and portfolio management department, working with risk managers to manage commercial clients. He then moved to work in industry research for a leading consulting company, supporting research on financial institutions, specifically insurers in the US market, and generating business and consulting opportunities for the firm. Aditya is currently a graduate student in Hospitality Management at Oklahoma State University. His prior education consists of a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of London, UK, and a master’s degree in Economics from Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, India. Aditya believes blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies have the ability to disintermediate existing business models and dramatically alter the economic landscape for several industries. “I believe Nabu has the potential to provide monetary relief to individuals, societies and economies, from the financial burden of educational debt, so that they may focus their resources into other areas of significance.”

Surbhi has a background in Computer Science. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems (MIS) at Midwestern State University. She interned as a research assistant at Bank of Baroda and as a software engineer at MWSU. During her time at MWSU she’s led a team on the development of an iOS mobile application for tracking the University shuttle. Aside from her technical experience she has been a member of pristine business organizations (Delta Sigma Pi) where she held various executive positions. She truly believes that the intersection of Finance and Technology (Fintech) is the next big step for the future and can benefit the society in many different ways. Being the student herself, she’s no foreigner to student debt and the many implications of it. “The rise of blockchain/cryptocurrency has unlocked various methods to conquer traditional finance and I believe that Nabu has the ability to help students further their education with the potential for less financial obligations.”

Liz is a third-year law student at the University of Houston Law Center (UHLC), focusing on the legal implications of disruptive technologies (specifically blockchain and its different applications across many industries). She is the Founder and President of the Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Law Association at UHLC, established to educate law students about blockchain technology and the opportunities its implementation will create for attorneys. Liz is also part of the UHLC’s Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic, which helps startups in the Houston area with the legal services they need to start and maintain a successful business. Her siblings began experimenting with crypto trading and mining early in 2017, which sparked her curiosity and led her to conduct research at UHLC. Her research includes: the use of cryptocurrency by terrorists, organized crime, and rogue nations; how blockchain will disrupt the communications industry; and a study of transnational blockchain and cryptocurrency regulations. “Nabu hits close to home. Being a college student for seven years and accruing student loans, I’ve experienced the stress and uncertainty that grew from carrying such a burden. I joined the Nabu team to learn from my teammates as well as help build a platform that reduces student’s economic stress, allowing them to focus efforts on achieving goals and a successful career.