The value of individuals’ digital assets in the UK is estimated at £25 billion. As more people store important personal data online, the need to secure these valuable digital accounts after death has become a serious concern.

Komal Joshi, a London Business School Founder Award winner, decided to set up Planneddeparture.com after the death of her father, when she found it very difficult to locate the details of all his various bank accounts, insurance policies, and other investments. Her business allows users to store financial and legal documents, information about their online accounts, digital assets and social media will in a secure electronic vault, and make clear who receives their digital estate when they die.

With funding from the Deloitte Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (DIIE) and the help of a Deloitte mentor, Komal has successfully expanded the business. The DIIE award and association with LBS gave Planned Departure credibility as a new business, and in a very short space of time Komal got partnerships in place with more than 10 firms and received over 200 percent of her initial funding target in under three weeks through crowdfunding platform Seedrs.

Deloitte has offered Planneddeparture.com pro bono advice across HR, pension planning, tax, accounting, and corporate finance. No one person can have the range of specialist skills that a small business needs to grow, but the Deloitte network has proved very powerful for Komal. She has been able to meet senior partners and staff and get their advice and subject-matter expertise, and has benefited from impartial advice in setting up an effective advisory board.

Our London Business School Founder Awards recognise and celebrate the most promising entrepreneurs graduating from LBS. Each winner receives a package of support to help them launch their business venture, including: space in the London Business School Incubator for one year, professional support from Deloitte, access to training and workshops and a cash injection.