5 minute read
Founder Story

Founded: A podcast series for women in tech

The headshots of the founders featured are placed against a black background with the Founded Logo.

The Women Techmakers team are on a mission to elevate women entrepreneurs' voices across the globe. As part of this effort, last fall we launched “Founded,” a podcast focused on the real, honest stories of women leaders in tech and their journeys to entrepreneurship. Now, we’re back with a second season that will follow six women in tech with a common goal: to build a successful startup. Season two of “Founded” is available now, and you can find it on Google Podcasts or wherever you listen.

Shelly Bell smiling
Episode 1: Shelly Bell, Black Girl Ventures

Release Date: February 24, 2021

In the first episode of season two Shelly Bell, founder of Black Girl Ventures and SheRaise, shares her journey from computer scientist to serial entrepreneur and what it took to start her business. She uses her experience in tech and art to empower Black and Brown women to tech entrepreneurship.

Learn more at BlackGirlVentures.org

Hana Hassan smiling
Episode 2: Hana Hassan, Blackmaple.io

Release Date: March 6, 2021

Hana Hassan is the CEO of Blackmaple.io, a two-sided global talent marketplace dedicated to the diversification of tech talent pipelines. She is a founding member of the Global Tech Bridge Initiative, based in Austin, Texas, which supports individuals from marginalized communities with hands-on technology training and workforce development to help them gain employment opportunities in tech. She is an active volunteer and mentor who, for the past 15 years, has been dedicated to bridging the gap in human capital management.

Learn more at www.blackmaple.io

Yasmine El Baggari smiling
Episode 3: Yasmine El Baggari, Voyaj

Release Date: April 20, 2021

After traveling alone to over 45+ countries, all 50 states, and staying as a guest in more than 200 homes, Yasmine was struck by the hospitality and open-mindedness of the people worldwide. Their generosity inspired her to share her own experiences with the world. Yasmine El Baggari, is the founder of Voyaj, a global platform connecting humanity worldwide for meaningful one-on-one exchanges to foster international understanding and peace.

Learn more at www.voyaj.com/

Sandeep Ahuja smiling
Episode 4: Sandeep Ahuja, cove.tool

Release Date: May 6, 2021

Sandeep Ahuja is the cofounder of cove.tool, an automated sustainability consultant. The data-driven software acts as a “Turbotax for energy modeling,” helping architecture achieve energy, daylight, comfort, water, and carbon targets while reducing construction cost. Hear her talk about democratizing sustainability, her shift from consulting to tech founder, and why she taught herself how to code.

Learn more at https://www.cove.tools/

Laura Rodriguez O'Dwyer smiling
Episode 5: Laura Rodriguez O'Dwyer, Glot Learning!

Release Date: May 13, 2021

Laura Rodriguez O'Dwyer is the founder of Glot Learning! - an edtech startup that tailors picking up a foreign language to your individual learning style and needs. She is a passionate linguist—working in Spanish, German, English, and Portuguese and also proficient in Mandarin Chinese, Turkish, and Japanese. In this episode she shares her passion for languages and how the idea behind Glot Learning! became a reality.

Learn more at https://glotlearning.com/

Cristina De La Peña smiling
Episode 6: Cristina De La Peña, Synapbox

Release Date: May 20, 2021

In our final episode of season two, Cristina De La Peña, the cofounder of Synapbox, tells us why we should trust our intuition. Synapbox is a content testing platform that uses artificial intelligence to help brands maximize ROI through emotional recognition, eye-tracking, object detection, and consumer-engagement surveys. Listen to find out how she connects the dots between design and perception.

Learn more at https://www.synapbox.com/