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Impact Stories from Entrepreneurship Policy Area

Fellow named Francophone Representative for AfriLabs board

Fellow(s): Crescence Elodie

Country: Cameroon

Cohort: 2018

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth

This week it was announced that 2018 fellow Crescence Elodie was elected as a board member for AfriLabs, and will serve as their Francophone reprensentative for the next two years. With over 300 centers across 50 African Countries, AfriLabs has a mission to support innovation and entrepreneurship through policy advocacy, capacity building and more.
Crescence is the founder of EN Group, a platform that focuses on digital and community development through technology, as well as the founder of WETECH, Cameroon’s first women-focused innovation center that supports and trains women with tech and entrepreneurship skills. Over the next two years, Crescence will be responsible for engaging AfriLabs’ French-speaking tech community, amplifying the French-speaking tech ecosystem and strengthing the capacity of innovation centers, accelerators, hack labs and more in French-speaking areas. “I will be in charge of bringing the French-speaking community to the top, defending its interests and attract opportunities,” said Crescence. “It’s an honor and a big responsibility.”​

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Report Date...: 11/1/21


Fellow’s company selected by WeRaise to close funding gap

Fellow(s): Ayesha Mumtaz Khan

Country: Pakistan

Cohort: 2019

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth

Two years ago, 2019 fellow Ayesha Mumtaz Khan co-founded Hop Orbits, an e-commerce platform that aims to democratize access to technology, create jobs and contribute to remote business opportunities. Hop Orbits debuted their Hop Orbits Marketplace in April 2021, successfully bringing in 3,000 orders in its first month. However, women founders in Pakistan – like in many parts of the globe – face challenges in securing capital from investors, only raising 3% of the startup ecosystem’s total funding over the last five years. Ayesha applied for WeRaise, a World Bank Group program that addresses the funding barriers that women-led startups in Pakistan face, and was recently selected for their competitive training program. Implemented by startup accelerator Invest2Innovate, the two-year initiative aims to support and train women-led Pakistani companies that are actively seeking seed investment.
During the program, Ayesha and her team will receive investor-readiness training, hands-on guidance from seasoned coaches, legal services and access to a network of potential investors. “I’ve learned to think from perspective of the investor. Understanding the investor’s perspective is really important for founders especially if s/he wants to raise funding and collaborate with investors,” Ayesha said. “We have high hopes for our platform.” To continue her career growth, Ayesha also began a post-graduate project management program at John Moores University with support from their International Achievement Award scholarship.

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Report Date...: 10/25/21


At Capstone fellows set goals for the future

Fellow(s): 2020-2021 Fellows

Country:

Cohort: 2020-2021

Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth

This month, the TechWomen community convened for the Capstone, a culminating event that brought together 2020-2021 fellows, mentors and Peer Advisors for four days of goal setting, skills workshops, elevator pitch practice and action planning. With a mission to facilitate both past reflection and future thinking, the Capstone provided TechWomen’s newest cohort of fellows the opportunity to share, brainstorm and strategize in a small group setting.
TechWomen’s latest blog post outlines each day of the Capstone, highlighting lightning talks, trainings and the lessons learned in group discussions and pitch practice sessions. At the start of each day, select 2020-2021 fellows served as conversation catalysts, opening the session with reflections from their TechWomen experience and lessons learned as women in STEM. In her talk, Fatmata Kamara of Sierra Leone spoke about self-belief, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in the face of setbacks: “Failing is not the worst thing that could happen,” she told the fellows. “The worst thing is not maximizing your potential. Speak up your mind, even if your voice shakes.”​

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Report Date...: 10/25/21


Fellow discusses gender equality and education with Dalai Lama

Fellow(s): Faten Khalfallah

Country: Tunisia

Cohort: 2015

Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement

2015 fellow Faten Khalfallah was invited to speak with the Dalai Lama in an event hosted by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) that brought together changemakers committed to gender equality and education for all. Faten is the founder of First Skills Club, a STEM education initiative that introduces Tunisia’s youth to technologies such as mobile apps, robotics, electronics, design and 3D printing. She is also a USIP Generation Change fellow, selected to participate in their 2016 cohort of dedicated peacebuilders addressing leading challenges. During the program, Faten was trained in conflict management, leadership development and more.
During the event, Faten was invited to share a brief story with the Dalai Lama based on her experience as an educator and mentor. She spoke about a 13 year-old student she mentored during her early years of teaching, helping him gain access to an IT lab when he was unable to complete his assignments at home. “He is now 24 years old, and he messages me to share thoughts or ideas with me. From teacher to pupil relation, it became a friendship,” Faten said. She then had an opportunity to ask the Dalai Lama one question, inviting him to share a time when he felt compassion from one of his mentors. The Dalai Lama told Faten about a teacher who saw his potential and always held him to a higher standard. “It’s important that teachers always give hope to students,” he said. “It’s important that they encourage them, and give them great potential.”

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Report Date...: 10/18/21


On podcast fellow shares her work inspiring girls in aviation

Fellow(s): Refilwe Ledwaba

Country: South Africa

Cohort: 2019

Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement

2019 fellow Refilwe Ledwaba was featured on the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls podcast, speaking about her barrier-breaking aviation career and her commitment to empowering girls with STEM skills. The podcast, based on the bestselling series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, explores the lives of inspiring women and encourages its young listeners to pursue their curiosity and interests.
Refilwe, South Africa’s first black female helicopter pilot, is the founder of the Girls Fly Programme in Africa (GFPA) Foundation, a non-profit organization empowering young women to go into STEM. Through their programs, GPFA provides girls access to aviation and space workshops, STEM programs and mentorship opportunities. In the episode, Refilwe speaks about growing up in apartheid South Africa without any role models in aviation that looked like her. On her first-ever flight, Refilwe saw that one of the pilots was a woman. “That day changed the course of my life forever,” she said. “It ignited my curiosity about the industry.” She joined the airline as a cabin attendant, working her way up to eventually become a helicopter, plane and fixed-wing pilot and leader in aviation. “I’ve always done things that are against the norm,” she said. “And that makes me a rebel girl.”​

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Report Date...: 10/18/21


Mentor(s): Mercedes Soria

Company: Knightscope

Mentor Type: Impact

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth

Last week, TechWomen mentor Mercedes Soria was named one of Robohub’s top 50 women in robotics to know, highlighted for her achievements in the field. The list, now in its ninth year, is published on Ada Lovelace Day to amplify women in the field of robotics around the globe and to inspire women and girls in STEM. “We publish this list because the lack of visibility of women in robotics leads to the unconscious perception that women aren’t making newsworthy contributions,” the article says.
Mercedes is the executive vice president of software engineering and chief intelligence officer at Knightscope, a company that designs and builds autonomous security robots. She is also a 2017 Grace Hopper Leadership ABIE Award winner, recognized for being a leader for women in technology. In addition to serving as a TechWomen Impact Coach, Mercedes is a member of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ U.S. Speaker Program and a regular technology contributor to Forbes publications.​

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Report Date...: 10/18/21


Fellows share expertise at Women in Tech Week

Fellow(s): Nomso Kana, Sylvia Mukasa, Sophie Ngassa

Country: Cameroon, Kenya, South Africa

Cohort: 2013, 2014

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth

2013 fellow of South Africa Nomso Kana, 2014 fellow of Cameroon Sophie Ngassa and 2014 fellow of Kenya Sylvia Mukasa were featured speakers at Women in Tech Week, a series of events bringing together women leaders on the African continent. The week was hosted by Women in Tech Africa, an initiative that supports African women in 30 countries by amplifying their work, creating mentorship opportunities and investing in the next generation of women leaders.
Sylvia, the Kenya chapter lead for Women in Tech Africa, is the CEO of GlobalX Investments Ltd and GlobalX Innovation Labs. She was joined by Nomso, a green tech entrepreneur and governor for the Nuclear Energy Foundation, in a conversation themed on Artificial Intelligence and bringing more women into the field. Together the panel discussed how AI – which will contribute $15.7 trillion to the global GDP by 2030 – can be more inclusive of women leaders, researchers and innovators. Sylvia had an opportunity to speak about GlobalX’s Inclusive AI initiative, her program that encourages more women to enter the field of AI.
Sophie, a digital rights advocate and World Pulse Ambassador, was a featured panelist in a conversation on women influencers in technology. In her session, Sophie and other technology leaders spoke about the rise of women leaders in technology, and how women can contribute to measurable and meaningful change in their fields.​

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Report Date...: 10/11/21


Fellow speaks about using technology for impact

Fellow(s): Reema Diab

Country: Jordan

Cohort: 2019

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement

2019 fellow Reema Diab was a featured speaker this week at an event hosted by the Rotary Club of Amman Citadel. With over 1.2 million members globally, Rotary Clubs work to promote peace, grow local economies and support education. In its efforts to spotlight local leaders making an impact in economic development, The Rotary Club of Amman invited Reema to speak about Galaxy Organisation, the initiative she founded that empowers women and youth with STEM skills. Recently, Galaxy worked with 70 women at a local refugee camp for an Artificial Intelligence Training Project, training the women to make their own products using innovative tools.
During her talk, Reema spoke about the importance of harnessing the power of AI, IoT and block chains to not just improve business, but also positively impact local communities. She argued that everyone deserves equal access to technology, sharing Galaxy’s mission to bridge the gap between technology and underserved communities to create jobs and provide a better future to women and youth.​

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Report Date...: 10/11/21


At career fair fellow facilitates jobs and mentorship

Fellow(s): Ijeoma Ezika

Country: Nigeria

Cohort: 2018

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth

This month, 2018 fellow Ijeoma Ezika organized the 2021 Engineering Career Fair, a three-day event that provided workshops, hands-on training and networking opportunities for recent engineering graduates in Nigeria. The fair was organized by Clintonel Innovation Centre and the faculty of engineering at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Ijeoma, who has a PhD in electirical and electronics engineering, is a lecturer at the university as well as a fellow at the Royal Academy of Engineering Safety Champions in Engineering Education program. The Royal Academy of Engineering provided funding for the event.
The career fair aimed to bridge the skills gap between the Nigerian education system and the engineering industry, connecting students to industry-relevant skills, emerging technologies and mentorship opportunities within their fields. After Ijeoma opened day one, students attended a workshop on machine learning, received hands-on training in 3D printing and learned from a panel of entrepreneurs about starting an engineering business from scratch. On days two and three, students had an opportunity to work with industry experts on their CV and job interviewing skills, as well as learn about laser cutting, product design and virtual reality. “I truly enjoyed the event, and we’ve gotten lots of positive feedback,” said Ijeoma. “There is one-to-one mentor matching happening already.”​

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Report Date...: 10/4/21


With U.S. Embassy funding fellow brings STEM to 1000 youth

Fellow(s): Sabine El Kahi

Country: Lebanon

Cohort: 2014

Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement

Last month, 2014 fellow Sabine El Kahi successfully completed the Young Makers Program, an initiative that brings maker culture to youth ages 15-18 through hands-on and interactive STEM programming. The program was funded by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Beirut and hosted at The American Corners in Baakline and Zahle, as well as 10 public and private schools in the country.
Sabine implemented the Young Makers Program through the pandemic, overcoming challenges to bring both in-person and virtual lessons in open source technologies, 3D printing and innovation to over 1,000 young people. The program was administered through The Makers Hub, the makerspace Sabine founded that serves youth ages seven to 18. At the conclusion of the program, students had created over 90 projects from the STEM skills they learned. “I am very proud of the impact on youth, and very hopeful for the future. We have great talent among Lebanese youth, and when they are equipped with the right skills and tools they will innovate and make, even in the most challenging times and conditions,” said Sabine.

Read More »

Report Date...: 10/4/21


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Impact Story Policy Areas

  • Economic Impact
  • Education Diplomacy/Mentoring
  • Empowering Women and Girls
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Professional Growth
  • Special Report
  • Youth Engagement
Back To Impact Map

Recent Impact Stories

  • Fellow(s): Kymbat Yeltayeva, Moldir Kussainova, Ainur Kuanyshbayeva and Raushan Nurdillayeva

    Country: Kazakhstan

    Region: CSA

    Cohort: 2020-2021

    Project/Action: Kazakh fellows premier film to combat domestic abuse

    Policy Area(s): Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth

    The 2020-2021 Kazakh action plan team composed of Kymbat Yeltayeva, Moldir Kussainova, Ainur Kuanyshbayeva and Raushan Nurdillayeva has recently released a short animated film entitled “”Signs of Abusive Relationships or A Modern Fairy Tale about Bayan-sulu and Kozy-korpesh”” as a key part of their TechWomen seed grant-funded initiative to battle domestic violence against women in their country.
    The project re-imagines the nationally-beloved fable of two lovers, highlighting the warning signs of domestic violence embedded in the fabric of the tale. Team Kazakhstan’s analysis of the story challenges the glorification of husband Kozy-korpesh’s overprotective behaviors towards his wife Bayan-sulu and discusses the dangers of relationships based on control, isolation and psychological manipulation. The team hopes this film empowers people to “reconsider the stereotypes created in society regarding women and romantic relationships,” Kymbat shared in a recent post.

    Read More »

    Report Date: 7/18/2022

  • Fellow(s): Ameni Channoufi

    Country: Tunisia

    Region: MENA

    Cohort: 2014

    Project/Action: Fellow featured as keynote at Pakistan Girls in ICT Summit 2022

    Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Youth Engagement

    A keynote address delivered by 2014 fellow from Tunisia Ameni Channoufi kicked off the Girls in ICT Summit 2022, organized by Ananke, CodeGirls Pakistan and WomenInTechPK in observance of International Girls in ICT Day. The summit’s theme was “Breaking Barriers to Access,” and provided speakers, workshops, panel discussions and mentoring sessions for young women in high school and college who are working towards or interested in careers in technology.

    In her keynote, “Global and Local Perspectives of Girls in ICT,“ Ameni spoke on the global nature of the digital gender divide and experience of women in tech and provided strategies for inspiring girls to enter STEM fields and supporting them along the way. “It’s important that girls know early that the door is open to them too, not only to boys,” Ameni said as she explained the importance of introducing STEM education at an early age, organizing events for girls in tech, providing mentorship and job shadowing and sharing success stories of women in tech.

    Report Date: 5/23/2022

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