Dubai, UAE- At just 23 years old, Dubai resident James Chugh has turned a common everyday problem into an innovative technology solution. Inspired by repeatedly forgetting his headphones, he created LastLook, a geolocation based app that automatically reminds users to check their belongings before leaving a location. Built while balancing a full time job, LastLook reflects James’s entrepreneurial spirit and determination to solve a problem millions of people face every day.
EmiratesReporter.com spoke Exclusively with James Chugh, Founder of LastLook, about the inspiration behind the app, his journey from product designer to entrepreneur, and his vision for the future. Here is the full interview.
E.R- For people hearing about LastLook for the first time, what is it all about and how does it work?
James Chugh- LastLook is a geolocation based memory app that helps you stop forgetting your everyday essentials. You save a place once, like your office, gym, or a friend’s home, and add the items you usually carry there. From then on, everything is automatic. As soon as you leave that location, LastLook detects it and nudges you to check your belongings. Unlike traditional reminder apps, you never have to remember to set a reminder. You set it up once, and LastLook remembers for you.
E.R- You had a good career in product design. What made you decide it was the right time to build your own app?
James Chugh- Designing products for millions of users taught me how to solve problems, but I wanted to build something that was entirely my own. I reached a point where I felt I had enough experience to take an idea from research and design all the way to development and launch. LastLook became that opportunity.
E.R- You said losing your headphones gave you the idea for LastLook. Did you ever think such a small incident could turn into a real business?
James Chugh- Not at all. At first it was just frustration because I kept forgetting things in different places. But the more I spoke to friends and colleagues, the more I realized almost everyone had the same problem. That’s when I understood it was not about headphones. It was about solving a habit that millions of people deal with every day.
E.R- You built the whole app by yourself. What was the most difficult part of the journey, and did you ever feel like giving up?
James Chugh- The hardest part was learning everything outside of design. I had to teach myself development, backend systems, Apple guidelines, subscriptions, analytics, and testing while working a full time job. There were plenty of nights where things broke for no reason, but every problem I solved made the product better. Giving up would have meant leaving the problem unsolved.
LastLook’s logo represents staying aware before you leave
E.R- There are already many reminder apps. What makes LastLook different from the others?
James Chugh- Most reminder apps rely on manual reminders or fixed times. LastLook uses geolocation to understand where you are. You create places like your office, gym, or a friend’s home, add the items you usually carry there, and the app automatically reminds you when you’re leaving that location. It removes the need to remember to set reminders, making it a much more natural and reliable experience.
E.R- You spent months working after office hours to build LastLook. What kept you motivated even when things became difficult?
James Chugh- Every time I forgot something myself, it reminded me why I started. I also kept thinking about how many people quietly deal with the same problem every day. Knowing that something I was building could genuinely make people’s lives easier gave me enough motivation to keep going.
E.R- As someone who is only 23, what advice would you give to other young people who have an idea but are afraid to start?
James Chugh- You do not need to know everything before you begin. I started with product design, learned development as I built, and figured out every challenge one step at a time. Your first version will never be perfect, but you cannot improve something that does not exist.
E.R- Now that LastLook is launching, what is your biggest dream for the app over the next few years?
James Chugh- I want LastLook to become the app people instinctively open before leaving any place, just like they instinctively open maps before a drive. If we can save millions of people from losing the things that matter to them, I would consider that a success.
E.R- Where is LastLook available now? Has it been fully approved for launch, and how has the response been from early users?
James Chugh- LastLook is currently available on the App Store, with an Android launch coming soon. This is just the beginning. Regular updates will continue to make the experience smarter and more seamless through technology, and eventually AI, to help people remember the things that matter without even thinking about it.
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