Our Story: Where IdentiQ Began
IdentiQ was born from a simple idea — doing things differently. Founded by Joshua Engelbrecht, a Grade 12 learner from KwaZulu-Natal, IdentiQ is built on ambition
THE STORY BEHIND IDENTIQ
IdentiQ started with a dream — and a school kid who wanted to do something different.
My name is Joshua Engelbrecht, and I’m currently in Grade 12, based in KwaZulu-Natal. While most teenagers are still figuring out what they want to do one day, I’ve always known one thing: I want to be my own boss and build something meaningful.
In 2027, I plan to study toward a degree in Software Engineering and Business Management while continuing to run IdentiQ. I believe the best way to learn is by doing — building a real business alongside my studies gives me hands-on experience that no classroom alone can offer.
From next year, I’ll also be exposed to real-world coding and software development by working closely with my dad, who has over 25 years of experience in the software development industry. Learning directly from him while building real products will accelerate my growth and sharpen both my technical and business skills.
That mindset didn’t come out of nowhere.
I grew up watching my dad run his own company, surrounded by business owners, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers. From a young age, I saw how ideas turn into action — and how the right connections can open doors. That’s where the spark started.
One day, something clicked.
We live in a digital world, yet people are still handing out paper business cards that get lost, damaged, or thrown away. It didn’t make sense. Networking needed a smarter, more modern solution.
So I took the idea to my dad and asked him to help me turn it into something real. Under the AppStack umbrella, IdentiQ was born.
What started as a digital business card quickly became something more.
Today, IdentiQ is growing into a digital identity platform — offering smart digital business cards, ICE (In Case of Emergency) tags, and Find My Pet tags to help people and pets stay safe and connected.
Alongside our products, we also build websites and help businesses grow through social media campaigns, giving entrepreneurs and small businesses the tools they need to build a strong online presence.
IdentiQ is more than just a product.
It’s my first real business, my learning ground, and the foundation for my future. Building IdentiQ while studying and learning from an experienced mentor isn’t the easy path — but it’s the right one.
This is just the beginning.
