The fast fall of a billion-dollar mobile app

Slightly more than a year ago, a sharply dressed, fast-talking Brit named Dan Wagner strode into The Post’s offices.

“You’re going to remember this meeting for the rest of your life,” Wagner began, declaring that his London-based tech firm, Powa Technologies, was sure to become the world’s most valuable company — as in, more valuable than Apple, yes. As in, worth a trillion dollars, maybe.

Indeed, Powa was already valued at $2.7 billion by private investors, including Wellington Management, making it one of only two UK “unicorns.”

Demonstrating a mobile app that enables users to buy products by snapping photos of ads, Wagner said deals with hundreds of major stores and brands would be announced later in the spring.

They weren’t.

In November, amid reports that Powa was facing money woes, Wagner visited again to show off how the app could be used with glossy ads in Vogue magazine, pulling up a price and checkout option for a Moncler puffer jacket, for example. A few days later, however, when asked which fashion labels could be named for the story, a p.r. rep begged off. Wagner soon called.

“You’re right, this is a rubbish story,” he said. “I’ll get you a better one.” On Feb. 19, Powa filed for “administration,” a European version of bankruptcy. “I suggest you hold the story for the resolution and back story rather than speculation,” Wagner said.