Akuru is a finalist in the Bromley Business Awards 2026.
When I started Akuru, I had a simple belief: that every life holds stories worth preserving.
Not just the extraordinary achievements or defining milestones, but the quieter moments too. The decisions that changed everything, the people who shaped us, and the memories that might otherwise fade with time.
What began as a love of storytelling has gradually grown into a business dedicated to capturing those memories in beautifully written biographies for individuals and families.
So, I’m delighted to share that Akuru has been named a finalist in the Best Startup category of the Bromley Business Awards 2026.
As someone who spent more than two decades working in architecture before finding a new creative direction, this recognition feels particularly meaningful.
Starting something new is both exciting and daunting. There are moments of uncertainty, plenty of learning, and the occasional reminder that building a business takes patience.
But then there are the moments that bring everything back to why I began.
Like hearing someone describe the strength they’ve found in revisiting their own life story. Or seeing the joy a family experiences when they hold their loved one’s memories in a book for the first time.
Those moments remind me that the work matters.
I’m incredibly grateful to the families who have trusted me with their stories, and to everyone who has encouraged Akuru along the way.
Whatever happens at the awards, being recognised at this early stage is something I’ll treasure.
And this is only the beginning.
Rika
Founder, Akuru