Printing stacks of business cards can be costly and inefficient, yet staying professionally connected remains essential. Recognising this challenge, a young entrepreneur introduced the Linkio digital business card, an innovative, reusable solution designed to streamline networking while reducing printing expenses.

“I want people to think about the company that has been able to connect Jamaicans through technology,” said Jonathan Singh, software developer and owner of Linkio Technologies.

For Singh, traditional business cards quickly became a frustration rather than a useful networking tool. Attending events meant collecting stacks of business cards—many of which ended up forgotten in a drawer, never leading to follow-ups. Likewise, handing out cards often resulted in little to no response, making the entire process feel ineffective. Realising the inefficiency, he began searching for a modern alternative that would make networking more seamless and practical. That’s when he discovered near field communication (NFC) technology—the same wireless system used in tap-to-pay credit cards and ID badge scanning. While the technology had been around for years, it remained largely underutilised for networking locally. Initially, he was simply looking for a digital business card to streamline his own networking when he programmed his own business card for the first time. As he began using it, people took notice and expressed interest in having one for themselves. Recognising the potential, his partner and co-founder, Gabrielle Whervin, encouraged him to turn the concept into a business. Though hesitant at first, he eventually embraced the idea, thanks to Whervin’s persistence. With an initial investment of $25,000, Linkio was created in March 2024, a paperless option that is not only environmentally friendly but is also convenient to just have one card that is fully customisable.

“When you print business cards, it’s stuck the way it is, and by that I mean if, for example, you print a thousand business cards or even a hundred business cards in January and your position changes in March, then those old business cards would not become useless pretty much. So having the ability to update something whenever you want is a plus, in my opinion,” Singh told the Jamaica Observer.

While debates continue between traditional and paper business cards, Linkio’s digital business card eliminates disconnect by keeping all essential details in one accessible place. With just a tap or scan, contacts can instantly connect, schedule appointments, or reach out directly, fostering stronger networking relationships and increasing business opportunities. By moving to a paperless system, professionals not only streamline their networking but also ensure that potential clients or collaborators can engage with them in a more immediate and meaningful way. Since its launch in March 2024, Linkio has produced approximately 100 digital business cards, spending its first year focused on raising awareness about the technology. Now, as the company moves into 2025, the strategy shifts towards aggressive social media marketing, targeting young professionals and business owners looking to expand their networks. From entrepreneurs and influencers to salespeople and corporate professionals, Linkio aims to provide a seamless, tech-driven alternative to traditional networking methods. With growing interest in digital solutions for professional networking, Linkio has set an ambitious goal of securing 10,000 new sign-ups by the end of the year as it continues to modernise the way people connect.

“Most of my clients like the convenience of having it, and they like the fact that instead of telling somebody their number or telling somebody their e-mail or telling someone their social media, everything is a one-stop shop,” he said.