Bio

Entrepreneur, journalist, and globetrotter. In 2018, I founded Startups Without Borders to build the startup ecosystem for entrepreneurs on the move. Why? Because we believe that migrants and refugees have immense potential that is untapped. Because it’s time they moved on from being seen as job seekers to job creators. Because we don’t want to give them an opportunity; we believe that they are the opportunity. At heart, I'm a storyteller. For the past years, I've focused on telling stories of refugees, Middle Eastern entrepreneurs, women who defy stereotypes and minorities who struggle to make their voice heard. It was their stories that inspired the creation of Startups Without Borders. I'm specialised in Peace studies and Human Rights, and I have 14 years of experience across media and the startup landscape in Argentina, Italy, Germany, and Egypt. In 2017, I launched Egypt's first digital platform focused on startups in the Arab world, Startup Scene ME. I've given talks, panels and keynote speeches in Egypt, France, Italy, Hungary, Jordan, and Russia, including: - Gitex Global, Dubai, October 2021. - The Refugee Entrepreneurship Summit, November 2019. - RiseUp Summit (Cairo, Egypt), December 9, 2016 & 2019. - Techfugees Summit (Paris, France), November 2018. - World Youth Forum, (Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt) November 2018 - Wilton Park Dialogue (Ma’In, Jordan), October 2018. - Rome Startup Week (Rome, Italy), April 2018. - MAKX Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Oslo, Norway), April 2018. - Egypt Entrepreneurship Summit, (Hurghada, Egypt), November 2017. - Techne Summit (Alexandria, Egypt), October 1 2017. - Mashable Social Media Day (Cairo, Egypt), July 9, 2017. - Hani Al Qaddumi Foundation workshop (Ramallah, Palestine), February 2015. - International Forum 'Volunteer Russia' (Perm, Russia), November 27, 2014.