World region: Asia-Pacific

Andrea ‘Andy’ Blair
Co-Founder and Director of Business and Innovation, Upflow
New Zealand

Andy Blair is a Co-Founder of Upflow, a geothermal, research, and innovation company based in New Zealand. Upflow is dedicated to harnessing the vast potential of geothermal energy to provide intelligent solutions to global industries. With a mission to challenge conventional thinking and inspire the adoption of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), Upflow assembles expert teams to work on cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary approaches to build real-world solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. Upflow also drives the uptake and smart utilization of all aspects of geothermal energy, including heat, fluid, gasses, minerals, and microbes.

Andy’s business supports the following SDGs:
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 13: Climate Action

World region: Latin American and the Caribbean

Karin Sempf
CEO and Founder, Innova Nation
Panama

Karin Sempf is the CEO and Founder of Innova Nation, an educational lab focused on motivating and empowering the upcoming generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, and sustainability advocates. They provide interactive learning opportunities for children and teenagers aged 8-18, helping them foster creativity, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving abilities while simultaneously encouraging them to explore their interests and ideas. By instilling a culture of innovation, sustainability and entrepreneurship in young minds, their programs provide their students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and confidence to turn their ideas into realities. Innova Nation’s programs have impacted the lives of 10,500+ students. With the help of more than 100 alliances with strategic partners, they have reached over 90 schools and have promoted the development of over 500 innovative ideas within the program.

Karin’s business supports the following SDGs:
SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 9: Industry, innovation and Infrastructure

World region: Europe, North America and Other

Susan Blanchet
CEO and Founder, Origen Air
Canada

Susan Blanchet is the CEO and Founder of Origen Air. Origen Air’s mission is to create biophilic rooftop oases that metabolize toxins and purify indoor air, resulting in improved indoor air quality. Their purification process removes harmful airborne toxins, pollutants, and disease-transmitting particles from indoor environments. By collaborating biotechnology with HVAC systems, they enable the recirculation of indoor air, reducing the need for excessive air exchanges for improved ventilation. Origen Air focuses on producing efficient and sustainable living air purifiers using genetically modified plants that are 92x more effective at removing toxins from the air, making a significant impact on indoor air quality restoration and protection.

Susan’s business supports the following SDGs:
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13: Climate Action

World region: Greater Middle East and North Africa

Menna Farouk
Co-Founder, Dosy
Egypt

Menna Farouk is Co-Founder of Dosy, a tech-based scooter and bicycle riding platform for women and girls. With a population of about 100 million, Egypt is one of the most densely populated and polluted countries in the world.  Dosy aims to encourage women and girls in Egypt to ride scooters and bicycles by connecting them with riding instructors. Dosy users then have the opportunity to become a riding instructor once they have completed enough training. Not only does Dosy create employment opportunities for women, but it also contributes to reducing traffic congestion and pollution while challenging social stereotypes about women riders of scooters and bicycles.

Menna’s business supports the following SDGs:
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

World region: Sub-Saharan Africa

Diana Mbogo
Founder, and Managing Director, Millennium Engineers Enterprises Ltd
Tanzania

Diana Mbogo is the Founder and Managing Director of Millennium Engineers – a 100% women founded and led social enterprise that specializes in renewable energy. Their primary focus is identifying untapped energy poverty markets across various sectors. They excel in creating tailored and innovative business solutions by analyzing the requirements of specific industries, communities, or business value chains. Currently, Millennium Engineers is implementing the “Sardine Fishing Industry” business project which aims to transition the low-income sardine fishing industry in Lake Victoria, away from pressurized kerosene/LED lead acid powered batteries lamps and conventional methods of sardine drying towards more climate friendly solar drying facilities to ensure sustainable fishing practices in the region.

Diana’s business supports the following SDGs:
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 13: Climate Action