At 17 years old many are yet to figure out what they want to do in life or the career path to pursue. This is not the case for Devyn Sharpe, an avid and passionate website developer who has since the tender age of 8, known and actively pursued his calling.
Devyn, who is currently still studying for his A-Levels in Somerset, United Kingdom,has recently launched a new web-based platform www.ellipsis.sc, an innovative, modern and fully-Seychellois-owned boat rental listing solution for Seychelles.
Ellipsis aims to simplify boat hire management for operators, while also providing a hassle-free, easy checkout for guests and visitors wishing to hire boats while in Seychelles. In the absence of a single platform for visitors and guests to access boating services, Devyn hopes that Ellipsis will soon become a one-stop shop solution.
To take advantage of the website, boat owners simply upload a description of the boat inclusive of all the unique features and onboard amenities, as well as photographs that will make it stand out to potential renters, and the listing then goes live on the platform. The listing feature also applies for those offering fishing excursions, private charters with customised itineraries or diving trips, and they are free to set the price, and have complete control over who rents from them or who participates in the experience that they offer.
Through the interactive calendar feed, owners and operators are able to manage boat availability, and are also able to communicate with the guests and potential clients. They are also able to input their account information, for payment transactions.
On the clients’ end, they are able to search the listing for their ideal experience and once selected can easily book online, or checkout. The client’s card is charged just once, and only once the boat owner accepts their booking.
“Ellipsis Marine (Propriety) Limited acts as an intermediary and takes the funds from the clients. After the booking is complete, we pay out into the boat owners’ Seychelles bank accounts. That way, both the boat owners and the clients are protected,” Devyn told Seychelles NATION.
“With some other platforms, there are some scams in operation, whereby customers have booked boats when in fact there is no boat, so, by holding the money, if it turns out there is no boat, we can refund it to the customer, or if there are problems, we can deal with these problems. And it also means that the operators cannot get scammed, where they have already taken the client out and expect payment, and the clients do not pay,” Devyn explained to Seychelles NATION.
The idea for the website was born when Devyn and his family found themselves stuck in Seychelles for six months, back in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. His mother, a Seychellois, started a boat charter business and upon exploring existing solutions, they found that they fail to adequately cater to Seychellois businesses and the market, nor do they have any real connections to Seychelles.
“We started planning it out around nine months ago and have been refining it and building it, and it is now launched. We test as we go through and test each time a new feature is added,” he added.
In a bid to promote the website, Ellipsis Marine is presently running online and physical advertising campaigns. In fact, Devyn was in Seychelles last week where he met with a number of boat owners to raise awareness about the platform and its benefits.
Going a step further, ten percent of all profits made from the service fees on the website will be donated to charities and causes towards protecting the marine environment and keeping it clean and safe. A small service charge applies to help cover the costs of running the platform, such as hosting fees and payment for provider charges.
“I am definitely passionate about giving back. I started off in website development by helping local charity,” Devyn added.
Devyn hopes to be able to also launch a mobile application version once the web platform is well established. He also has intentions of extending the functionality of the site to include unique sea and marine-based experiences in paradise.
The Ellipsis platform is but one of many websites developed by Devyn, who built his first website, one for selling apples from the tree outside his home in Somerset, when he was just eight. His father, a software developer, has been one of his sources of inspiration.
Devyn has since worked with a number of charities and business organisations across multiple industries, ranging from e-commerce companies, to property development.
“I have always had a passion for web development. I just have a passion for exploring, finding new ways to do things. I have always been quite apt with the computer,” he said.
At present, he is also working hard to complete his A-levels in Computer Science, Economics and Physics, after which he will have more time to dedicate towards Ellipsis, a project close to his heart.
Source: Seychelles Nation
