Setting the stage
November 19 marks a day dedicated to celebrating and honouring women’s contributions to global entrepreneurship, driving change through business and impact entrepreneurship.
EMMIE joins the world in recognising the invaluable role that women play. Let’s embark on a journey to applaud the remarkable achievements of women impact entrepreneurs worldwide. These women have not only built successful businesses but have also left an indelible mark on every corner of the globe. These visionary women are leaders dedicated to instigating positive change in the world and their societies through innovation and addressing societal and global challenges.
For decades, women have been at the forefront of entrepreneurship, emerging as key players by leveraging their skills to tackle social issues in various fields, including technology, biotechnology, fashion, health, finance, and more. Their contributions have reshaped the narrative of what is possible for the next generation of women entrepreneurs.
As part of this celebration, join us in exploring the stories of impact entrepreneurs from different parts of the world, each contributing uniquely to the global landscape. Their journeys inspire, their innovations captivate, and their impact resonates far beyond borders.
Some Incredible Women Entrepreneurs
I. Annabelle Huang
Perseverance personified, Annabelle Huang’s journey which starts from her excelling in high school STEM classes in China to then becoming a leading figure in blockchain technology exemplifies the spirit of innovation. After her tenure on Wall Street, she ventured into the cryptocurrency world, envisioning a transformation of traditional finance through blockchain. As a managing partner at Amber Group, she strives to influence global expansion and advocates for greater female thought leadership in the crypto finance world.
“I am honored to raise awareness among women and other marginalized communities about the utility of crypto and blockchain technology in their financial journey.”
II. Cristina Junqueira
Known as the Brazilian finance wonder woman and one of the first fintech founders, Cristina Junqueira co-founded Nubank (one of the largest neo-banks in the world) and has led the company’s inclusive programs to increase female representation in both technology and finance. She is a driving force of change in the finance industry, providing digital services to millions of people. Her contribution to driving digital technology in Brazil is significant, reshaping the role of women in tech and finance spaces. Her commitment to female empowerment and inclusion in the workplace earned her a place on Fortune’s 40 Under 40 list in 2020, envisioning a world where her daughters can dream without limitations.
III. Diane von Furstenburg
Diane von Furstenberg, a Belgian-born fashion designer, icon, philanthropist, and businesswoman, is famous for the iconic wrap dress she introduced in 1974. Beyond fashion, she champions initiatives centred around women’s empowerment in the fashion world. She is a modern powerful female designer—to whom other women, both inside and outside the fashion business, look for inspiration. Her impact transcends the fashion industry, and she is an active participant in emphasizing the role of women in the fashion world and breaking barriers.
IV. Sara Menker
Born and raised in Ethiopia, Sara Menker is the founder and CEO of Gro Intelligence, a company created to build products that change the world’s views on supply chain agriculture. She has devoted her life to addressing the challenge of global food security. By using data, Menker’s company enables informed decisions to promote food sustainability in a world grappling with population growth and climate change. Her work has been recognized for transforming and bridging the gap across the global agricultural sector. She is part of TIME 100 most influential people in 2021 for her immense contribution on addressing food insecurity.
V. Anne Wojcicki
Co-founder and CEO of 23andMe, Anne Wojcicki has pioneered direct-to-consumer genetics and research. With FDA-approved health-related tests, Wojcicki’s company provides insights into ancestry and health risks. Her revolutionary work in this field was named TIME magazine’s “Invention of the Year” in 2008. 23andMe reflects Wojcicki’s commitment to democratizing access to genetic information and continuous contributions to health and philanthropic work.
VI. Temie Giwa-Tubosun
Temie Giwa-Tubosun is the founder of Lifebank, a company in Nigeria working to improve access to blood transfusion in the country. Temie’s company is working to end blood shortages in healthcare facilities and educate the population on the importance of blood donations, overcoming fear, challenging myths, and ending prejudice associated with blood donation to increase blood supplies in healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Lifebank uses data and technology to discover and deliver medical resources to hospitals in Nigeria and has delivered over 2000 pints of blood across the states since 2017. In 2017, she was selected by the World Economic Forum Innovators as part of ‘’six entrepreneurs who demonstrate the positive role women are playing in creating opportunities and preparing the region for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa’’.
VII. Mariana Costa Checa
Mariana Costa Checa, a Peruvian businesswoman, is the founder and CEO of Laboratoria, a social enterprise that tackles the challenge of providing training and upskilling for underemployed women in the tech industry. Focusing on high-demand digital skills, Laboratoria has expanded across Latin America, graduating over 2,400 women since 2014 and contributing to closing the gender gap in technology. Costa Checa’s innovative approach to societal challenges earned her recognition and even a Mattel Barbie doll made in her likeness.
VIII. Laura Boccanfuso
Founder and CEO of Van Robotics, Laura Boccanfuso’s entrepreneurial journey started with a unique mission—to support children with special needs through AI-enabled classroom tutors. Facing challenges in a male-dominated venture capital landscape, she persisted in building “ABii,” a robot supporting classroom learning. Her dedication to creating learner-centric solutions reflects the power of perseverance in overcoming industry biases and providing transformative educational tools. Her success in the entrepreneurship world is immense, and she continues to contribute to the technology and innovation world to make life easier for all.
Overall
These few of many other audacious and impact-driven women entrepreneurs, representing diverse continents, industries, and challenges, share a common thread of perseverance, innovation, and a commitment to driving positive change. Their stories inspire us to celebrate the accomplishments of women entrepreneurs worldwide, fostering a culture of inclusion, empowerment, and recognition. As we commemorate Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, let these stories be a testament to the transformative power of women in entrepreneurship, making a lasting impact on industries, societies, and the world at large.
Let’s continue to celebrate and amplify the voices of women driving change globally!
by Fatoumatta Nagib
