Ilayda Bakare: Revolutionizing Culture and Tech with Exhibits App

Ilayda Bakare is an inspiring entrepreneur and self-taught developer whose mobile app, Exhibits, is transforming how Londoners engage with temporary exhibitions. As the founder and CEO of this innovative platform, she has brought together her passion for mathematics, technology, and the arts to democratize cultural access in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

The Journey of Ilayda Bakare: From Peckham to Pioneer

Ilayda Bakare’s journey begins in Peckham, South London, where she grew up in a culturally rich but often underrepresented community. From an early age, she showed a deep interest in problem-solving and creativity—traits that would later fuel her dual passion for mathematics and art. Her academic path led her to study mathematics at the University of Leeds, where she laid the foundation for her logical and analytical thinking.

After graduating, Ilayda didn’t take the traditional route into finance or academia. Instead, she chose to carve her own path—learning to code on her own through online courses, practice projects, and eventually a coding bootcamp with Le Wagon. Her goal wasn’t just to enter the tech industry, but to build something meaningful that served the community she came from.

The Birth of Exhibits: An Idea Sparked by Curiosity

The idea for Exhibits came from a simple frustration: despite London’s world-class museum and gallery scene, there was no central platform to discover temporary exhibitions. Existing solutions were fragmented, outdated, or limited to permanent collections. Ilayda envisioned an intuitive mobile app that would allow users to explore, bookmark, and plan visits to exhibitions happening across the city.

What began as a side project turned into a full-fledged mission. Ilayda coded the app herself, integrating features such as map views, calendar syncing, personalized favorites, and real-time updates. The app now includes over 450 venues across London, covering art, history, science, and more. It’s become an essential tool for locals and tourists alike who want to experience the city’s vibrant, ever-changing cultural landscape.

Self-Taught and Self-Made: The Developer Behind the App

Ilayda’s story is particularly powerful because she represents a new kind of tech leader—one who blends creativity, empathy, and technical skill. Without a formal background in computer science, she taught herself programming languages, mobile development frameworks, and user experience design.

Her journey wasn’t without its challenges. She faced moments of doubt, technical setbacks, and financial hurdles. But through perseverance and support from communities like coding meetups and startup accelerators, she turned her vision into reality. Her success underscores the growing impact of non-traditional pathways into tech and the importance of accessible education.

Exhibits: Changing the Way We Experience Culture

The core value of Exhibits lies in its accessibility. By centralizing information about temporary exhibitions, the app lowers the barrier to cultural participation. Whether you’re an art student, a history buff, or someone looking for a spontaneous weekend plan, Exhibits makes discovery easy.

Beyond listings, the app allows users to:

Search by genre or theme

Filter exhibitions based on distance or closing date

Get personalized recommendations

Receive notifications for opening nights and artist talks

This user-first design has earned Exhibits a loyal following and praise from cultural institutions that see it as a partner in audience development. It empowers smaller galleries and pop-up exhibitions to reach wider audiences without costly advertising.

Recognition and Impact: Awards and Accolades

Ilayda’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed. She was selected for the Roundhouse Creative Business Accelerator, where she won the Audience Choice Award for her pitch on Exhibits. The program gave her exposure, mentorship, and access to a network of creative entrepreneurs.

She’s also been featured in podcasts like “The Hustle Chronicles” and publications highlighting underrepresented voices in tech. Her story resonates because it’s authentic, grounded in lived experience, and driven by purpose—not profit.

A Cultural Technologist: Bridging the Divide

Ilayda Bakare exemplifies what it means to be a cultural technologist—a person who uses digital tools to enhance, not replace, real-world cultural experiences. Her approach is collaborative, often working with her sister Dilara on design, marketing, and community engagement. Together, they reflect a new wave of creative entrepreneurs who build not just apps, but ecosystems of meaning.

Her identity as a Black British woman in tech adds another layer to her influence. She often speaks about the need for inclusive spaces in both the arts and technology, advocating for programs that support women and minorities in STEM fields.

The Future of Exhibits and Ilayda’s Vision

The success of Exhibits is just the beginning. Ilayda is already planning to expand the platform to other cities with rich cultural scenes, such as Manchester, Glasgow, and Berlin. She’s also exploring partnerships with schools and libraries to bring exhibition discovery into educational contexts.

Her long-term vision includes building APIs that cultural venues can use to update their listings in real-time, as well as developing a web-based dashboard for institutions to engage with their audiences more effectively.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Ilayda Bakare is more than an app developer; she’s a role model for young people, especially women and people of color, who may not see themselves represented in tech. Through public speaking, mentoring, and her own visibility, she’s helping reshape the narrative around who gets to be a tech innovator.

She often emphasizes the value of curiosity, community, and courage. Her story proves that you don’t need to follow a conventional path to make a lasting impact. You just need a vision—and the resilience to pursue it.

Final Thoughts: A Legacy in the Making

Ilayda Bakare’s journey is still unfolding, but her contributions are already significant. By merging technology with cultural advocacy, she’s created something that resonates on multiple levels—practical, personal, and political.

Exhibits is more than an app. It’s a movement toward a more inclusive and engaged society, one exhibition at a time. And Ilayda Bakare is leading that movement with integrity, ingenuity, and an unshakable commitment to accessibility.