Ife Durosinmi Etti - Women of Rubies

In Career Gems May 29, 2023 By Women of Rubies

9 Black Women In Tech You Should Know About

Black women in Tech are leading the way in their industry and supporting successful brands through continuous hard work and dedication! With unwavering determination, they are not only carving out their own space but also propelling thriving brands forward through their relentless hard work and dedication.

Today, we shine a spotlight on nine exceptional Black women who are making significant strides in the tech industry with their visionary companies and groundbreaking apps. Join us as we celebrate their achievements and explore the impact they are creating in this exciting realm of innovation and possibilities.

Get ready to be inspired by their remarkable journeys and the footprints they are leaving in the tech landscape

1. Black Women Talk Tech founded by Esosa Ighodaro and Regina Gwen

Join your fellow Black women on the road to a successful, money-making entrepreneurship journey with the help of Black Women Talk Tech! Regina Gwen and Esosa Ighodaro founded Black Women Talk Tech to give Black women entrepreneurs the safe space to learn how to grow a billion-dollar brand. By joining the Black Women Talk Tech community and enrolling in their Roadmap to Billions program, which hosts annual conferences across the country, you will have the opportunity to showcase the brilliance that black women offer in any industry.

In addition, you will join conversations based on your firsthand experiences in your industry, foster deep connections, and gain exclusive funding opportunities.

2. Helping hands founded by Janelle Hinds

Janelle Hinds is the founder of Helping Hands, a platform that matches Ontario students with volunteer opportunities for local organizations in need of help.

The platform allows students to give back, obtain community hours needed to graduate, and have new experiences, while allowing charities to serve their communities better. According to DMZ Ryerson, Hinds also volunteers as a program coordinator with local Toronto shelters where she delivers workshops to newcomers and racialized youth to build leadership skills and ensure all youth are active citizens.

3. Dot Health founded by Huda Idress

Huda Idrees is the founder and CEO of Dot Health, a health data platform, providing Canadians access to their personal health records. The goal is “empowering Canadians to easily request, access, and manage their own health information.”

Since graduating from the University of Toronto in industrial engineering, Idrees has helped promote women in tech during her time at TechGirls Canada and is currently serving on the OntarioMD Board of Directors to help physicians adopt electronic medical records into their practice.

4. Hervest founded by Sola Akinpeleu

Solape is the founder and CEO of HerVest, a women-focused and inclusive fintech platform for the underserved and excluded women in Africa.

HerVest enables women to participate in savings, impact investments and credit, particularly for smallholder women farmers in Nigeria. As a financial feminist, Solape is pro SDG5 and SDG10 who believes in achieving gender equality and reducing inequality through financial literacy, technology, and access to capital.

In September 2021, Solape’s led HerVest was chosen from thousands of applicants to present at the world’s number one startup launch competition at TechCrunch Disrupt. Besides, HerVest is the only Nigerian startup selected to pitch alongside 19 other global stars.

Solape is the Nigeria chapter director of Women in Tech Global, an international organisation with a double mission: to close the gender gap and help women embrace technology, present in over 100 countries with growing members of over 70,000.

5. Herconomy founded by Ife Durosinmi-Etti

Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti is the founder and CEO of Herconomy, a female-focused fintech startup dedicated to creating financial resources for women.

Herconomy is Nigeria’s first digital platform of female entrepreneurs and professionals focusing on empowering women and connecting women to each other and opportunities, such as grants, fellowships, scholarships, jobs, and much more. She is also an author, entrepreneur and young global leader with over 10 years of management and leadership experience working in the fashion, marketing and manufacturing, and, most recently, the tech industry.

She was recently appointed as a Youth Advisory Group Member for Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE), a global coalition formed by the World Bank to provide catalytic support to employment and productive work for 150 million youths by 2030. She was also named a Peace Scholar by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Durosinmi-Etti has recently broken several glass ceilings by being part of the Africa Startup Initiative (ASIP) Accelerator Programme and becoming the first recruitment partner in Nigeria with Amazon.

In 2019, she was listed as one of the 52 women who made an impact.

6. Toronto Women In Data Science founded by Kishawna Peck

Kishawna Peck is the executive director of Toronto Womxn in Data Science, which showcases women in data science who share their career journeys and their expertise in technical skills, business strategy, and ethics.

Peck’s goals are “to diversify the talent pipeline in data” and to “inspire and empower a million data-literate womxn.” Peck has been a data professional for five years, working in non-profits, fintech, and advertising in Product, Finance, and BI teams. She is currently a manager of Data Analytics at HomeStars.

7. Digitalundivided founded by Kathryn Finney

Black women are building brands from the ground up and establishing high revenue in all global industries. As a self-made tech pioneer and entrepreneur, Kathryn Finney knows the ins and outs of growing and setting up a brand and business. Digitalundivided is helping black women break into over five figures worth of revenue under programs such as She Runs It, BIG, and Do You Fellowship.

They supply the best way to reach global audiences, business tactics from other successful entrepreneurs, and resources essential to business growth. In addition, they will have you pitch your business plans to various industry leaders.

8. Black Girls Code founded by Kimberly Bryant

Black women and girls have shaped the tech industry by becoming successful builders and creators. With communities like Black Girls Code, founded by Kimberly Bryant, black women learn and lead in computer programming and other technology-based fields.

Black Girls Code offers online and in-person programs in web design, game design, mobile app design, coding, and robotics. Black Girls Code includes seven U.S. chapters, with plans to launch eight more chapters soon.

9. Unstack founded by Adaora Nwodo

Adora Nwodo is a software engineer currently building Mixed Reality on the Cloud. In 2018, she created adorahack.com, sharing articles on software engineering, productivity and career growth. The next year, she created a YouTube channel called AdoraHack, where she shares stories on tech and her experience as a software engineer.

She is the co-founder of unStack Africa, an open source-based conference for tech talents in Africa and beyond, focusing on hands-on workshops and world-class talks that empower people to learn by doing. She is also Vice President of the Nigerian chapter for the VRAR Association, where she’s focused on getting people excited about building Mixed Reality technologies in the region.

In February 2021, Adora won the Young CISO Network Excellence in Disruptive Technology, Cloud and Embedded Device Security Award for her work in building and advocating for Disruptive Technology on the Cloud.

In October 2021, she released her first book, “Cloud Engineering for Beginners,” which introduces people to the concept of cloud computing, viable career paths in cloud engineering, and how to navigate a cloud engineering career. She is also a published author, public speaker, and tech content creator.

In Career Gems August 14, 2020 By Women of Rubies

Application Opens For Female Enterprise Challenge | Why You Should Apply

Founder of the AGS Tribe, Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti has announced that applications for this year’s AGS Enterprise Challenge is now open. The yearly Enterprise Challenge is the first of its kind pitch competition for women entrepreneurs that contribute to the Nigerian economy. Launched in 2018 to showcase, empower and fund female led businesses across Nigeria, it has since then showcased and empowered countless female entrepreneurs through an online pitch competition.

Since inception, the competition has successfully given out grants to six women entrepreneurs across the country and these businesses have grown exponentially since their win in a short amount of time.

Speaking with The Guardian, Durosinmi-Etti said the competition is designed to promote the birth of more businesses that can end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all.

“The competition will ensure that female led startups gain exposure, valuable feedback and grants to take their businesses to the next level. The programme would include a pitch competition, presentations from business experts and a question and answer session. The goal is to build a network of inclusive businesses and opportunities for collaborations that would assist with promoting business sustainability across Africa over the next 10 years.”

Among the winners for the 2018 edition were Olabanke Subair (Cyrus45), Titi Medunoye (Milky Express) and Tunde Oni (Smileon Foods) while 2019 winners were Tabitha Abimiku (Virtuous Pads), Maryam Salami (Mobaby Care) and Oluebube Akah (Aga’s Wholesome Foods). According to the organisers, this year’s edition, which is sponsored by Platform Capital, promises to be bigger and better.

“We are taking the whole process online and we look forward to meeting amazing female entrepreneurs from all over Nigeria. To qualify, your business has to be running for at least a year, you must be earning revenue already, must be a woman and said business must be operational in Nigeria.”

She revealed that the winner would smile home with a N1.5m grant, mentorship, global accelerator and opportunity to get $100k in equity funding and workspace whilst the first runner up would get a million Naira in grant money, mentorship and workspace with the second runner up going home with half a million Naira, mentorship opportunity and a workspace.

In Inspiration July 9, 2020 By Esther Ijewere

Ife Durosinmi-Etti – The Amazon Helping Women Win At Life

Ife Durosinmi-Etti is an author, entrepreneur and a sales and marketing expert with over a decade experience across fashion, marketing and manufacturing industries.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Covenant University, Nigeria, and an MBA in Global Business from Coventry University.

Ife started her career as an operations analyst in a bank in Nigeria during her mandatory one-year National Youth Service.

She volunteered with the British Red Cross at the time she was completing her MBA and joined a British multinational retailing company headquartered in London.

She moved back to Nigeria in 2012 and joined Nigerian Breweries (Heineken Operating Company in Nigeria) as a Young African Talent (YAT) and transitioned to their Corporate Communications Department as Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Support Manager.

In 2015, Ife decided to bridge a gap in the furniture market for newborns and together with Olamide Olatunbosun, founded Parliamo Bambini, a baby and child furniture company with products manufactured locally.

In 2016, Parliamo Bambini was selected by the Tony Elumelu Foundation for its Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program as one of the companies whose idea can transform Africa.

Parliamo Bambini is also the winner of the Jumia Super Startup Competition in 2017 In the same year, Ife was also selected as a Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum.

She has been selected as a mentor on one of Young African Leaderships Initiative (YALI)’s programmes and has been a panelist at Harvard University’s African Development Conference discussing the role of women in democracy and how it impacts on business in Africa.

Ife is the author of “Accessing Grants for Startups,” a book that shows the opportunities available locally and internationally for entrepreneurs in Africa that can help take their businesses to the next level.

Ife is also an associate member of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

Ife is also one of the Leading Ladies Africa’s 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria for 2019.

Ife, alongside her AGS tribe also raised N22M for Late Olamide Alli Kid’s.

We celebrate her for giving women a voice and helping them win at life.

In Interviews&profile March 25, 2019 By Editor

LEADING LADIES AFRICA: NIGERIA’S 100 MOST INSPIRING WOMEN IN 2019

This week, Guardian Woman continues the list of its annual #100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria list for 2019. For the fifth consecutive year, the list features 100 Nigerian women drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds and sectors who are deliberately impacting their world and local communities through the power and strength of their ideas and achievements. Women who are making great strides in the world of Business, Politics, Advocacy, Governance and Enterprise. “It’s perhaps our most diverse list yet,” says Francesca Uriri, Founder, Leading Ladies Africa.

Funmi Oyatogun- A travel experience designer and founder of TVP Adventures- a one-stop-shop for exciting travel experiences across Africa. Through TVP Adventures, Funmi plans and creates bespoke trips on social media where she has a huge following. But beyond that, Funmi also creates immensely useful travel infographics and materials that are useful for travelers, tourists, and those looking to learn about new places in the world.

Gbemi Adefuye (Toni Tones) is a Nigerian actor, photographer, singer, and radio host. She recently starred in Kemi Adetiba’s ‘King of Boys,’ where she gave a stellar and critically acclaimed performance as the younger Eniola Salami. Gbemi studied Marketing and Economics at the University of Lancaster in the UK, and then returned to Nigeria in 2009 to explore her ambition for show business. She does photography work both behind and in front of the camera. She has appeared as an actor in the Web TV series “Gidi-culture” and in several films including “It’s Her Day” in 2016.

Glory Osei- Founder of Femfunds, a growing organization with a goal of providing women in Nigeria with interest free loans and free skill acquisition. She is also the CEO and Co-founder of Divergent Enterprise, Land Lagos and PorkMoney.com. Glory is also a travel blogger who chronicles her travel escapades formerly under the name Nigerian Abroad on her social media page.

Habiba Ali- Managing Director and CEO of Sosai Renewable Energies Company, one of the largest distributors of renewable energy in Nigeria. Sosai Renewable Energies provides renewable energy products like solar lamps, water purifiers and solar panels, as well as energy consulting services to help bring clean, renewable energy solutions to Nigeria’s budding communities. Habiba also co-founded the Developmental Association for Renewable Energies (DARE) and is a member of the Partnership for Clean Indoor Air and the Nigerian Energy Network.

Ibijoke Faborode – Head of Agritech and Healthcare Advisory, West Africa with UK Department for International Trade. There, she leads on International trade facilitation and investment advisory between the UK and 6 principal West African markets. She is an astute professional, gender advocate and change-maker; with a decade of cross-geographical experience spanning various fields including Agribusiness consultancy, Policy Advisory, International Trade Facilitation, Investment Promotion, Pan-African Media Management and International Business Development. In 2017, she led the very first bi-lateral agri-focused dialogue between the UK and Nigeria in London, which attracted over 100 delegates from Nigeria including the Agric Minister, eight State Governors and multilateral bodies such as the Africa Development Bank in a bid to promote opportunities in Nigeria’s growing agric space. She also currently co-chairs the Women’s Network at the High Commission. Prior to this, she worked with The Africa Report, Groupe Jeune Africa: a Paris-based pan-African media group as Regional Business Development Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.Her passion for driving social change and touching lives led to the recent creation of The Social Change Network (TSCN), Africa – a non-partisan, non-profit civic engagement organization focused on promoting social change and inclusion across Africa.

Ife Durosinmi Etti – Author, Entrepreneur and young global leader with over 10 years of management and leadership experience working in the fashion, marketing and manufacturing industries. She holds a first degree in Biochemistry and an MBA in Global Business. Prior to moving back to Nigeria in 2012, she worked with Arcadia Group Plc, a British multinational retailing company headquartered in London and Aspire Acquisitions. She later joined Nigeria Breweries (Heineken Operating Company in Nigeria) as a Young African Talent (YAT) and transitioned to their Corporate Communications Department as Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Support Manager where she successfully managed various corporate social responsibility and sustainability projects.

Ifedayo is also an associate member of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON). With her passion for women and children, she launched Parliamo Bambini and Philos and Zoe, startups disrupting the baby and child industry through locally manufactured furniture and clothing for children with the aim of reducing poverty, empowering the youth and promoting access to quality education in Nigeria and Africa. She is also very passionate about women and youth contributing to national development, so she launched a platform called the AGS Tribe to democratise opportunities for entrepreneurs across Africa and the AGS Enterprise Challenge, to empower female entrepreneurs through funding, mentorship and training.

Ife Diary of a Naija Girl – Editor of Diary of a Naija Girl- a personal website that houses her contemplations on various issues including lifestyle and social commentary. She is also the Executive Director and founder of DANG Network- a revolutionary storytelling company that specialises in solid content creation and media production.

Read full list here https://m.guardian.ng/guardian-woman/leading-ladies-africa-nigerias-100-most-inspiring-women-in-2019-2/