The Story of Pogo: Turning Data Into Power

In 2020, while the world was becoming increasingly digital, something invisible yet incredibly valuable was being created every second—data.

Every tap on a phone, every online purchase, every subscription, every scroll… it all generated data. And behind the scenes, massive corporations were quietly collecting it, analyzing it, and transforming it into billions of dollars in revenue.

But the people generating that data—the users—remained completely unaware of its true worth.

It was during this time that three individuals—Dom Wong, Oskar Melking, and Shikhar Mohan—began to question the system.

They weren’t outsiders to the tech world. They understood how data powered businesses. They had seen firsthand how companies leveraged user information to drive decisions, target advertisements, and generate enormous profits.

But something about it didn’t sit right.

Why were users—the very source of this data—not getting anything in return?

Why was the system so one-sided?

And most importantly…

Could this be changed?

💡 A Simple Idea That Challenged an Industry

The question they asked was disarmingly simple:

“What if people could earn from their own data?”

At first glance, it didn’t sound revolutionary. But the deeper they explored it, the more they realized how radical the idea actually was.

Because this wasn’t just about building another app.

This was about challenging the foundation of the digital economy.

And so, in 2020, they founded Pogo—a platform designed to give users control over their data and allow them to benefit from it financially.

🛠️ Building Something People Didn’t Yet Understand

The early days of Pogo were filled with energy, ambition, and… uncertainty.

They weren’t just solving a known problem.

They were introducing a concept most people had never even thought about.

When they first explained Pogo to potential users, the reactions were often the same:

“Wait… you want me to connect my bank account?”

“And you’re saying I’ll earn money from my data?”

“How does that even work?”

The idea sounded unfamiliar. And unfamiliar ideas often face resistance.

The founders quickly realized that their biggest challenge wasn’t technology—it was perception.

😓 The Struggles That Tested Them

1. Trust Wasn’t Given—It Had to Be Earned 🔐

Asking users to link their financial accounts to a new app was a major hurdle.

People were cautious—and rightly so.

With increasing cases of data breaches and online scams, trust had become fragile. The team had to work tirelessly to build a system that was not only secure but also transparent.

They needed users to believe that Pogo wasn’t exploiting their data—but empowering them.

This required strong security measures, clear communication, and time.

Lots of time.

2. Teaching People the Value of Something Invisible 🧠

Data is intangible. You can’t see it or hold it.

So when Pogo tried to explain that users could earn money from their data, many people simply didn’t understand its value.

The founders had to take a step back and educate their audience:

• What is data?
• How do companies use it?
• Why is it valuable?
• And why should users benefit from it?

Before people could trust Pogo, they had to first understand the problem it was solving.

3. Standing Out in a Crowded Fintech World ⚔️

By 2020, the fintech space was already booming.

There were apps for budgeting, investing, saving, cashback, and rewards. The market was noisy, competitive, and saturated.

Pogo needed a clear identity.

And they found it in a bold message:

👉 “You deserve to get paid for your data.”

This wasn’t just a feature. It was a philosophy.

4. The Constant Pressure of Funding 💸

Like many startups, Pogo faced financial pressure in its early stages.

Building a product, hiring a team, marketing the app—it all required capital.

Convincing investors wasn’t easy. The idea was new, and new ideas often come with risk.

But slowly, as the vision became clearer and early traction started to show, investors began to take notice.

Pogo raised millions in funding, giving the team the runway they needed to keep going.

📈 The Turning Point

Every startup has a moment when things begin to shift.

For Pogo, that moment came when early users started seeing real value.

They began earning small rewards.

They started saving money on subscriptions.

They experienced firsthand how their data could work for them.

And something powerful happened:

They told others.

Word of mouth spread. Trust grew. The idea that once seemed strange started to feel obvious.

🚀 From Idea to Movement

As more users joined, Pogo evolved from just an app into something bigger.

It became part of a larger conversation about data ownership and fairness.

People began to realize that they weren’t just passive users of technology.

They were contributors.

And their contributions had value.

Pogo gave them a way to reclaim a piece of that value.

🌍 A Vision Beyond the App

At its core, Pogo isn’t just about earning a few extra dollars.

It’s about changing the relationship between people and technology.

For years, the digital economy operated in one direction:

Users gave data → Companies made money.

Pogo aims to reverse that flow:

Users give data → Users earn money.

It’s a subtle shift—but a powerful one.

✨ The Story Continues

The journey of Pogo is far from over.

What started in 2020 as a simple question has grown into a mission to redefine how value is shared in the digital world.

There are still challenges ahead—scaling the platform, expanding globally, staying ahead of competitors.

But one thing remains clear:

The idea that once seemed radical is slowly becoming reality.

And as more people begin to understand the value of their data, Pogo’s vision feels less like a startup dream…

and more like the future.