Deborah Choi Keynote Speaker

Deborah Choi, an accomplished entrepreneur and prominent figure in Europe’s startup ecosystem, holds the position of managing director at Founderland. This rapidly growing community is dedicated to empowering women of color entrepreneurs in Europe and bridging the funding gap, as less than 0.5% of venture capital funding has been allocated to this group. In addition to her role at Founderland, Deborah is the founder of Kibo, a fintech company at the forefront of gender lens banking. Her entrepreneurial journey encompasses six ventures, with experience in building and launching startups in the United States and Europe, as well as direct involvement in securing venture capital funding.

Deborah’s entrepreneurial prowess and exceptional leadership skills have garnered her numerous accolades. Early in her career, her first startup caught the attention of BusinessWeek, earning her a place on their esteemed ‘Top 25 under 25’ list. In 2022, Business Insider recognized her as one of the top 25 Zukunftsmacherinnen (Futuremakers) for her forward-looking contributions to the business landscape. Her innovative approach to venture and brand building was further acknowledged when she received the prestigious Google for Startups Black Founders Fund in 2021. Most recently, Deborah was honored as one of the Top 100 Women for Diversity in Germany in 2023, cementing her position as a champion of inclusivity and diverse representation.

Deborah’s influence extends beyond her entrepreneurial ventures. She is highly sought-after as a public speaker, captivating audiences with her insightful experiences and anecdotes from her nearly 20 years founder journey. Additionally, as an executive coach, she provides invaluable guidance and mentorship to aspiring founders, helping them navigate the challenges of building and scaling their businesses while embracing authentic leadership styles. Her expertise and thought leadership have been featured in esteemed publications such as TechCrunch, Sifted, EU Startups, and Business Insider.

With a diverse background, Deborah was born in Nigeria and raised in the United States. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Chicago. Currently, she resides in Berlin, Germany, with her daughter.