Disha, a no-code platform that aids creatives in marketing their products and processing payments, has announced that it will cease operations on March 31, 2024. Acquired by Flutterwave in 2021, the platform is taking a temporary measure to reassess its goals and explore new ways to serve its users.
Users to Retain Access to Accounts and Data
Following the shutdown, Disha assures its hundreds of thousands of users that they will still have access to their accounts and stored data. The platform has advised its over 100,000 creators, including content creators, influencers, artists, writers, and designers, to migrate their files to alternative platforms such as Mainstack, Milkshake, and Linktree before the shutdown date.
“We find joy in providing you with tools that move your craft forward, and this pause is critical in helping us rethink our focus,” Disha explained in a statement on X. While Disha has stated that the break is only temporary, it has yet to announce a specific date for its reopening. Ongoing subscriptions will be refunded.
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Background and Previous Shutdown
Co-founded in 2019 by Evans Akanno and Rufus Oyemade, with Blessing Abeng joining a year later as co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Disha operates similarly to Selar and Irawo, allowing digital creators to showcase and sell digital products, create one-page website portfolios, and receive payments from their global audience.
This is the second time Disha has suspended operations. In February 2021, the Nigeria-based platform with over 20,000 users announced that it would shut down by December 2022 due to a lack of resources to continue operations. Before it closed, Flutterwave acquired the platform for an undisclosed sum.
Upon the acquisition in 2021, Olugbenga Agboola, co-founder and CEO of Flutterwave, said Disha presented an opportunity for Flutterwave to break into new markets of independent creators who need reliable tools to showcase their craft and get paid.
Despite Flutterwave’s lofty aspirations for Disha, the platform appears to have fallen short, necessitating a re-evaluation.
Moving Forward: The Future of Disha
While Disha’s temporary closure may come as a disappointment to its users, the platform’s commitment to reassessing its goals and exploring new ways to serve its community is a positive step. By taking this time to reevaluate its strategies, Disha has the opportunity to come back stronger and better equipped to meet the needs of its users.
The temporary shutdown of Disha has sparked conversations within the tech and creative communities about the challenges of operating in the digital space. Many users have expressed their support for Disha’s decision, understanding the importance of taking a step back to reassess and innovate.
Disha’s decision to temporarily cease operations is a testament to its commitment to providing the best possible service to its users. While the platform may be taking a break, its impact on the tech and creative communities will continue to be felt. As Disha looks towards the future, its users can rest assured that their accounts and data will remain safe and accessible and that the platform will return with new and improved features to enhance their creative endeavours.
