Founder's Voyage

Jerry Vance Anguzu is the founder and CEO of Everpesa Technologies, a fintech startup revolutionizing access to credit and investment opportunities for small businesses in Africa. Jerry is building a peer-to-peer lending platform that empowers underserved entrepreneurs to access affordable financing, while providing investors with attractive, socially impactful opportunities, and he wanted to pres...

In this episode of Founders Voyage, we try to explore the journey to personal happiness, fulfillment, and resilience. Together, Nancy and Spencer discuss the difference between fleeting happiness and lasting fulfillment, how overcoming challenges can strengthen us, and practical habits like gratitude, exercise, and kindness. By sharing personal stories and actionable advice, we highlight the impor...

Akmal is a full-time MBA candidate at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, with notable achievements in corporate finance, investment analysis, and management consulting. Originally from Indonesia, Akmal has held roles at PwC and successfully founded multiple startups, including a fintech peer-to-peer lending company and Jakarta Business Partner, a consultan...

Ximena Hernandez Buffa is the co-founder and New Business Director at MTI, a certified social selling specialist, digital marketing educator in Uruguay, and an acclaimed conference speaker across Latin America. With over 15 years of experience in the IT and consultancy sector, Ximena is passionate about empowering others and championing multiculturalism. She has built her business on democratic va...

Selen is the Brand Manager at Sanofi for the Turkey, Iran, and Levant markets, specializing in rare diseases. She is a 2021 graduate of the MIT Leadership and Innovation Bootcamp and has built a dynamic career in the pharmaceutical industry, drawing from global experiences in France, the US, and Spain. Selen’s passion for innovation, cross-cultural understanding, and patient advocacy is evident in...

Michael is the founder and inventor of the Kuzma Self Playing Guitar, a groundbreaking instrument that combines his lifelong passion for music with his expertise in electrical engineering and entrepreneurship. Starting as a college side project, Michael turned a wild idea into a tangible product now sought after by music lovers and innovators worldwide. His journey is not only a testament to techn...

Stefan Siarov is an accomplished aerospace and electromechanical engineer with a passion for systems thinking, innovation, and human-centered organizational growth. His career journey spans roles at the European Space Agency, where he worked on pioneering lunar habitat projects, to pivotal contributions in scaling early-stage startups like Valispace. Along the way, Stefan has also distinguished hi...

Joel Acevedo-Nieto, Ph. D is a doctor in neuroscience, professor at the University of Puerto Rico, and an expert in mental and emotional performance processes. He is the founder of Sharp Focus, a cognitive training platform designed to help those with concentration difficulties, and is currently involved in a pioneering fellowship research in resilience and learning in children. He uses innovative...

Jacky So is a first-generation Cambodian American leader in health equity, tech, and community innovation. With a background leading distributed, multilingual tech teams that have improved access to healthcare for millions of Americans, she brings a unique blend of hands-on data expertise, startup grit, and a relentless passion for equity. Jacky currently works in the nonprofit sector, driving sys...

Tyrone is a mechatronics engineer and data scientist with a passion for real-world applications of emerging technologies. As founder and lead data scientist of HomeFair AS, he developed machine learning-driven platforms to empower home sellers and buyers, culminating in the successful merger of his startup with a leading Norwegian property tech company. Tyrone’s unique path took him from South Afr...

Maria is an accomplished entrepreneur, educator, and thought leader in entrepreneurship, she is applying her knowledge and skills in the emerging field of space. With a commercial background and years of experience as both a founder and a teacher, Maria is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Space Entrepreneurship at the European Institute of Innovation and Sustainability. She founded Yellowma...

Zuby is a trailblazing entrepreneur and innovator, recognized as the inventor and founder behind Think and Zoom, an award-winning brain control assistive tech solution for the visually impaired. Zuby has received the prestigious Mass Challenge Health-Tech Startup Choice Award in 2020. As a disability advocate and “eye for good” evangelist to the United Nations, Zuby champions inclusive innovation...

Selene is an MIT Boot Camp Innovation Leadership graduate, AI enthusiast, and the Chief of Staff at Chai and Velostics. With a strong background in tech and digital transformation, Selene brings an impressive breadth of experience across corporate, startup, and consulting environments. Her career demonstrates a continuous drive to learn, pivot, and empower others in fast-evolving industries. 💡 Wh...

Frederick Van Staden is the founder of Kreet, a socially responsible boutique art store, and the co-founder of the South African fashion platform Look Like. With a background as a senior software engineer and team lead, he combines his technical expertise with a passion for art and community impact. As a new father, Frederick is navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship while striving to make...

Colin   Banning is the current Country Director for Swiss Contact in El Salvador and the founder of team GB Consulting and Colin Banning Consulting. With a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship, Colin has made significant contributions to the development of social entrepreneurship in Central America, particularly for vulnerable populations such as returned migrants and i...

During this talk we discuss how we individually define success for ourselves. This is a honest and open conversation exploring the perspectives on a number of members of our community. 💡 Some key ideas discussed here: 🔸Personal versus societal definitions of success. 🔸Navigating imposter syndrome as founders and creators. 🔸The role of mindset in shaping our perception of achievement. 🔸How fre...

Today we explore the evolving creator economy with entrepreneur, YouTuber and long time support of Founder' Voayge Daniel. We discuss the realities of content creation, from building an engaged audience to navigating unpredictable income streams. Daniel shares his journey, monetization strategies, and the development of a teleprompter tool for creators. Together, we highlight the importance of con...

This is an older discussion we had with Gabriel Storti , he is the CEO and founder of an ultra-fast supermarket delivery service in Brazil, where he pioneered the concept of last-mile delivery in 2016. With a strong background in technology startups, data center infrastructure, and investment, Gabriel has demonstrated exceptional problem-solving skills and innovation throughout his career. He has...

Our guest today is a passionate entrepreneur and advocate for mental health, currently pursuing a master's degree in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University. With a background in corporate sustainability and experience in designing impactful solutions for social enterprises, Daiki Yoshioka is the founder of a mental health startup called Emphy, which aims to provide accessible mental health support...

Danilo Salazar Ramos  is the founder and CEO of Eureka Solutions, a startup dedicated to developing cost-effective technologies for developing economies. He also established the Solar Ecuador Organisation, which focuses on providing education and custom solar solutions for rural areas. Danilo is passionate about social entrepreneurship and leveraging technology for positive change. 💡 What You’ll...

Qasi Saad is an accomplished global entrepreneur and software engineer with a passion for automation, robotics, and data analytics. With a diverse background that spans multiple countries, Qazi has successfully founded and led several startups, including a call center in Pakistan and a consultation firm in Dubai. Currently serving as the Vice President at Cloud Primero B.V., he focuses on innovati...

Carlos Mendoza  is an accomplished industrial designer based in Guadalajara, Mexico, with a rich background in journalism and a passion for entrepreneurship. He has co-directed the local entrepreneurship festival, Founder's Life, and has been involved in various educational programs, including those at MIT. Carlos is dedicated to solving organisational challenges and improving workplace dynami...

Sarthak is an experienced computer science engineer and co-founder of In Void, an end-to-end identity verification solution that leverages AI to serve various industries, including finance and education. After completing Y Combinator, Sarthak has successfully scaled his company from $100K to $2 million in annual revenue, demonstrating his expertise in navigating the entrepreneurial landscape and b...

Muheeb is the founder of Edu Grid and The Pluralist, with over a decade of experience in international education, entrepreneurship, and business development. He is a fellow of the MIT New Ventures Leadership Program and has a strong background in project management, sales, and marketing. His insights into the evolving landscape of education, particularly in the context of online learning and vocat...

Sebastián Gutierrez  is a freelance crypto writer and blockchain enthusiast with a strong background in economics. He has transitioned from a traditional career in the public sector to becoming a prominent voice in the cryptocurrency space, particularly focusing on its potential to empower those living in developing nations. His journey reflects resilience and adaptability, showcasing how passion...