For Rumeza Fatima, success isn't just about building software or startups; it's about building stories.
The second-year University of Calgary computer science student is the founder of The Archive, a non-profit microgrant initiative that this past summer helped people pursue meaningful experiences by offering grants ranging from $100 to $1,000.
Whether it's a little extra support for taking a backpacking trip to Peru or for setting up a pop-up matcha café in San Francisco, The Archive empowers individuals to act on ideas that may otherwise stay in their heads.
A leap of faith
The idea for The Archive came at a personal turning point, for the Faculty of Science student who has been coding since age 15.
But, although her passion for computer science remains close to her heart, after years of programming for others, Fatima wanted to create something of her own.
"I was chasing somebody else's vision. I was chasing somebody else's success story, and I really wanted to create that for myself," she says.
Fatima began saying yes to new experiences, such as embarking on spontaneous trips or connecting with new communities.
"Sometimes, it's that leap of faith that you need to take and I felt like this whole venture, honestly, it was a huge leap of faith," she says.
Video Credit: Kyle Sieben, Communications
Global reach, local roots
Though The Archive began in Calgary, its reach quickly expanded.
Anyone can apply for a microgrant, which can be put towards everything from a spur-of-the-moment project or a mini-documentary, to solo travel with a purpose or the creation of something life-changing, according to The Archive's website. What The Archive won't fund are "vacations for the sake of chilling, startups, school projects or existing obligations."
Fatima has received applications from around the world, including South Africa, India and the United States.
Samantha Faith Cruz, a second-year business analytics student at the Haskayne School of Business and founder of Ascend Calgary, used her grant to host a matcha pop-up in San Francisco.
Cruz recalls nearly giving up on her matcha endeavour when her luggage, containing all of her matcha supplies, was lost hours before the event.
"At that time, I felt hopeless," says Cruz, who "was able to push through with the support of The Archive, my friends and everyone who believed in me."
The experience showed her that "even the smallest passions can go a long way."
Building together
The Archive has also given UCalgary students opportunities to grow as leaders.
Marc Vincent Aurillo, the project's head of operations and a second-year natural sciences student, says The Archive gave him permission to embrace risk.
"I was drawn to The Archive because it represented the kind of risk I had always been hesitant to take ... it inspired me to challenge myself," says the fellow Faculty of Science student.
For Aurillo, the heart of the initiative is its focus on people over profit.
"The Archive's agenda isn't to ask for something monetary in return, but rather to inspire others to do something they never would have done without a push," he says.
Inspired by UCalgary
Fatima, a Schulich Leader scholar, credits her UCalgary experience for shaping her mindset as a founder.
"My experience at the University of Calgary has made me comfortable with innovating, which is a really big privilege for me to say," she says.
She highlights the role played in her process by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, where she joined clubs such as Tech Start, which helped her build a strong peer network.
Fatima also credits professors such as Dr. Leanne Wu, BSc'03, MSc'10, PhD'20, in encouraging her to think differently and pursue new ideas.
"She has this way to make you feel comfortable in thinking differently," she says of Wu, Fatima's computer science professor.
Looking ahead
Fatima initially seeded The Archive using savings from a previous internship, but has since attracted support through local donations and community interest.
She's now working with UCalgary to explore sustainable funding models to help the initiative grow.
Fatima envisions The Archive becoming a yearly summer initiative, with new cohorts of adventurers supported each year. Her long-term vision includes building a digital map that showcases each grantee's journey and story.
"It's supposed to serve as a (constant) reminder that you can become a new concept of yourself whenever you want," she says.
As The Archive continues to grow, Fatima hopes it will inspire others to take their own leap of faith.
