Nadine Campbell
3 min
Sam and Steve Nico Williams, from Brockley, south-east London, created the cryptocurrency, Populous (PPT) in 2017.
Populous is an invoice discounting platform that helps small and medium-sized businesses with cash flow problems to raise finance against invoices from the crypto community.
The platform connects invoice sellers directly to buyers, granting faster access to funds for the sellers offering their invoices at a discount to buyers. Appropriate discounts may be applied based on mathematical ratios that assess risk factors such as profitability, leverage, solvency and activity as variables that could predict the likelihood of bankruptcy.
"I have always been fascinated with the world of finance. We have gone through a lot together as brothers and it is great that all our hard work has paid off."
Steve
Sam and Steve came from a hard working family, their mother, a chef and their father, an accountant, who moved to the UK from Nigeria. Sam and Steve attended Crofton Comprehensive in Lewisham, (now Prendergast Ladywell School), typically attended by lower income families also with below average exam results.
Steve went on to complete a GNVQ in Advanced Business at Crofton Comprehensive School in Lewisham and has been described as ‘the brains’ of the company and is a commercial data expert. Sam attended the sixth form and is gifted in computer programming.
‘We had been involved on the fringes of gangs as teenagers when we were growing up in South London – but it’s fair to say that our lifestyles has changed completely in the past year.’ Sam
Although, in line with the usual story of deprived areas, Steve future was not looking good at one point, when he was allegedly convicted for criminal activities. Despite his desperate attempt to make money in the wrong way, this ended up being his catalyst for change.
’It was a major wake-up call and I had plenty of time to think about what I was going to do with my life. I made a big mistake and I paid for it.' Steve
For four solid years, they worked tirelessly, to build the blockchain code for their tokens from their mums kitchen. When they launched in June 2017, they were amazed at the level of success Populous (PPT) token received. In one day, hey had assets worth £1.85million in Ethereum digital currency.
At launch Populous (PPT) became the 52nd most valuable cryptocurrency token in the world, worth £96.5million.
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‘The success Populous has exceeded all expectations – we thought it would do well but this has been phenomenal.' Sam
Populous was not their first dive into starting a business, they also had Bellaface, Olympus Research Magazine and Tramp Magazine. Early investors in PPT made a fortune, however with all investments, the value of cryptocurrencies changes daily. They peaked in 2018, when they were with up to £1bil and with each unit valued at $68.91.
Following this early success, both Sam and Steve have launched ew crypto tokens. Steve launched ‘PXT’, a new business intelligence token alongside his latest venture and Populous World’s XBRL platform. Sam, launched DocTailor, a token for legal professionals to offer their services to the tech community and Zloadr, a due diligence token which can assess the profitability and liquidity of businesses.
‘I knew I had to turn my life around and work hard to achieve a good life for me and my family. I also want to give back by helping youths on the streets and those involved in street crime and I hope to inspire and create positive opportunities for them.’
Steve
From South East London, they now have their offices in Berkeley Square, Mayfair and are investing wisely in a prominent London estate agency chain and world class, Michelin star Tom Sellars restaurant Story. Not just investing in businesses like this, they also want to create new opportunities for striving communised like the ones they came from.
From this story we take out, there is always a way to turn your passion into a business. Working hard for 4 years takes absolute focus and belief that your idea can come into fruition. We all have a past - good or bad, however we cannot let that define us. Steve and Sam have shown that perseverance can change your life, on a global scale.
*First Image - Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd