Duchesse Kala-Kala is the founder of Duchesse Recruitment and a passionate advocate for building people and bold ideas. After pausing during Covid to step outside her comfort zone, she launched her own business and is now also building Inventio Science and investing in Black women founders. Guided by resilience, lived experience and the belief that every generation must go further, she builds with purpose in every space she enters.

Bonney M. is a nurse and co-founder of HEMOFAB, a MedTech startup born from her own experience of nine years on dialysis and over 40 surgeries. After sewing the first protective sleeve to secure her fistula, she realised her personal solution could address a global need. Today, she is preparing for HEMOFAB’s pre-series launch, driven by a mission to protect, empower and restore dignity to haemodialysis patients worldwide.

Sharika Chauhan left a 17-year career in finance to build Maya’s Worldly Wonders®, a children’s travel-adventure series centred on a bold British-Indian girl. What began as self-published books has grown into a multi-format IP spanning schools, merchandise and animation. Rooted in representation, literacy and lived experience, she is building a global storytelling platform with long-term vision and commercial discipline.

Silvana Bonfante G. is an anthropologist from Colombia, now based in Madrid, launching La Ciénaga, a brand promoting upcycled handwoven baskets from the Colombian highlands in Europe. What appears to be a fashion label supports artisan communities and transforms PVC waste into premium luxury objects. Driven by perseverance, curiosity and deep cultural conviction, she is building her first collection with optimism and faith in the journey.

Eden Yohannes is the founder of EmpowerHer, a network connecting African and diaspora women in international development through mentorship and community. Drawing from her own experience navigating global development spaces, she is building structured pathways to leadership across Africa and Europe. Through initiatives like her first mentorship cohort and a Pilates and Leadership session, she is turning shared support into lasting impact.

Ruth Casas is the founder of La Ferrara Productions and a Production Architect working across film, games and digital storytelling. She founded her company to bridge the gap between talent, access and meaningful opportunity in the industry, building infrastructure that supports underrepresented creatives. Through mentorship, collaboration and projects like That’s All, Folx!, she is shaping sustainable creative ecosystems where diverse voices are empowered to lead.

Immersive technology wasn’t built for everyone—so Deepa Mann-Kler creates it differently. Through Neon and StoryFutures, she uses virtual and augmented reality to heal, connect, and include, blending creativity, ethics, and access to ensure innovation represents every community it touches.

Blocks of Change wasn’t built for every African SME—so Sitan Cissé built it differently. She helps overlooked businesses scale across the continent, providing digital tools, market access, and support, while bridging African and European markets to strengthen local economies and trade.

Emotional wellbeing tools often miss the human touch—so Nishargo Nigar built one that listens. Through Bolo, she’s creating technology that helps people understand and manage their emotions, turning empathy into everyday action.

Decision intelligence wasn’t built for every startup—so Genefer Baxter built it differently. At Naviri, she gives founders clarity and confidence at every step, turning fragmented advice into actionable insights, spotting risks before they blindside you, and helping startups scale, fund, and succeed.

Seaweed could power a more sustainable future—and Natasha Aya Yamamura is proving it. Through Algae Scope, she’s unlocking the potential of marine ecosystems to create regenerative materials and new models for working with the ocean, not against it.

What happens when a school finally sees all its students? Bilkis Miah, founder of You Be You, is changing how classrooms handle race, wellbeing, and belonging—starting with the youngest minds and the boldest truths.

Equity crowdfunding wasn’t built for everyone—so Shaila Sahai built it differently. At We Take Part, she's making investment accessible for underrepresented founders, and reshaping who gets to raise, own, and lead.

Startups break because systems do. Mihri Minaz created Beams to capture the knowledge, context, and clarity most teams lose as they scale—turning operational chaos into confident, human infrastructure.

Nneka Fleming didn’t see textured haircare that worked for active lifestyles—so she made it herself. Airfro is redefining freedom in wellness by removing friction from routines that were never designed for us.