Opeoluwa Ashimi is a Nigerian pharmacist who bridges healthcare gaps in low-income communities through her enterprise, Promane and Proamade. With dual master’s degrees in Business Administration and Digital Health, Opeoluwa digitizes primary healthcare, forming high-impact public-private partnerships. Recognized by the World Bank for leading positive change in healthcare, her initiatives M’Care AI and Digiwomen have global acclaim, impacting millions. She also has been honored with awards and opportunities including the 2020 UNDP Top 20 Digital Health Solution, 2021 MIT Solve Top Health Security & Pandemics Solution, 2018 Mandela Washington Fellowship, 2019 United Nations Equals Fellowship, and 2019 Standard Chartered Women in Tech Fellowship.

Mercedes Bidart confronts a global challenge: the economic hurdles faced by micro-businesses in marginalized communities. As CEO of Quipu, she pioneers a transformative approach to credit assessment, addressing this crucial issue. Inspired by her work in Argentina’s informal settlements, Mercedes leverages technology to reshape economies and promote economic justice. A Fulbright Scholar with a master’s in City Planning from MIT, she collaborates with leading institutions like the Community Innovators Lab and the Presencing Institute’s Societal Transformation Lab. She also has advised NYC’s Deputy Mayor on ‘new economy’ strategies. Mercedes welcomes partnership in supporting minorities and women-owned businesses through innovative solutions.

Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson is dedicated to tackling the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Africa, focusing on early diagnosis through her health tech startup, Healthtracka. She specifically addresses the healthcare gap by innovating in the field of at-home solutions, such as the pioneering HPV self-sampling kit to screen for cervical cancer. Ifeoluwa’s mission revolves around reversing the trend of non-communicable diseases through accessible and proactive healthcare measures. She is passionate about inspiring more young women to get into tech and entrepreneurship, and she does this through her social media channels and private mentorship.

Daryl Holman Jr. is on a mission to solve the problem of consumer debt through his social enterprise, Revival. His innovative approach has eliminated over $2M in debt, earning support from a16z, the Robin Hood Foundation, and other investors. Daryl’s roots with the Harlem Business Alliance are a testament to his commitment to empowering marginalized communities, from supporting those formerly incarcerated to accelerating the growth of enterprises run by single mothers. With a background in teaching coding to gang-involved youth and recognition for his work with undocumented immigrants, Daryl’s journey reflects dedication to creating positive change in financial systems and beyond.

Suzanne Ling is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by refugees in Malaysia, particularly the limited opportunities for employment due to legal restrictions. Through her social enterprise, PichaEats, she aims to empower refugees by providing them with culinary training and a platform to showcase their skills as food entrepreneurs. The overarching problem she seeks to solve is the economic vulnerability and limited livelihood options faced by refugees, allowing them to overcome legal barriers and earn income while contributing to society. Suzanne’s commitment extends beyond profit, as she actively works to raise awareness and understanding about the refugee community, fostering empathy and support.

Sahar Mansoor is addressing the environmental challenge of excessive waste and promoting sustainability through her social enterprise, Bare Necessities. She aims to foster a zero-waste lifestyle by providing eco-friendly personal care, lifestyle, home care, and educational products and services. The problem she is trying to solve is the environmental impact of excessive waste, advocating for a circular economy and encouraging individuals to lead zero-waste lives. Through her work, Sahar seeks to make sustainable living more accessible and mainstream, contributing to a healthier planet.

Bhavesh Narayani is addressing sanitation challenges in India. As co-founder and head of product development at Solinas Integrity, he leverages technology to deploy over 25 robots to eradicate hazardous collection practices, aiming to preserve dignity and elevate living standards. Through the HomoSEP project, Bhavesh focuses on minimizing manual intervention in septic tank cleaning, contributing to eradicating manual scavenging, and addressing sanitation issues. Leading a team of 30+, he is dedicated to bringing cutting-edge solutions for a safer and more efficient sanitation sector, ultimately putting an end to manual scavenging.

Kolawole Osinowo is dedicated to solving the critical challenges of financial inclusion and sales innovation. As the CEO of Baobab+ Nigeria he leverages over 17 years of expertise in technology, sales management, and supply chain optimization. Kolawole’s multifaceted leadership addresses substantial budgets, business strategy, and key partnerships, driving efforts to bridge gaps in financial access and foster innovation within sales. His academic pursuits in fintech and the digital economy, along with active roles in mentoring startups, reflect a commitment to shaping a future where financial inclusion and innovative sales practices are accessible to all. Connect with Kolawole to be part of the solution in driving positive change and inclusion.

Tafadzwa Ronald is on a mission to break the poverty cycle in African agriculture. His tech startup eAgro empowers farmers through accessible digital tools, addressing the crucial issue of limited access in the agricultural sector. Recognized for his impactful work, including MIT Solv[ED] ’22 and Total Energies Startup of the Year 2022 in Zimbabwe, Tafadzwa aims to transform the industry. As a Global Shaper at the World Economic Forum’s Harare Hub, he passionately champions the AFCFTA initiative, underscoring his commitment to shaping a prosperous future for Africa. Through mentoring with Equip Africa, Tafadzwa also nurtures the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Sona Shah is committed to addressing healthcare disparities in under-resourced communities. As CEO of Neopenda, she tackles the lack of access to high-impact healthcare solutions for vulnerable populations, with a focus on both developing and delivering these solutions. She prioritizes reaching regions that are grappling with challenges related to medical diagnostics and treatment, such as HIV, syphilis, and tuberculosis. As these issues are complex and nuanced, Shah invites collaboration to be part of the solution.