SHAPING THE FUTURE: WOMEN INNOVATORS MAKING WAVES IN STEM
On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate the remarkable progress women are making in STEM fields around the world. While gender gaps in higher education and scientific careers still exist in many countries, more women than ever are making the difference, bringing fresh perspectives, creativity, and leadership to fields where they have historically been underrepresented. The growing role of women in STEM is opening new paths for innovation, equity, and opportunity.
Among the voices shaping the STEM world, today we shine a spotlight on three remarkable women whose work is making a tangible difference. Malin Frithiofsson, CEO of Daya Ventures, is redefining femtech by building startups that address critical women’s health challenges. Daisy Isiaho, co‑founder of Zuri Health, is transforming healthcare access in Africa through innovative digital solutions. Hajdi Cenan, co-founder of airt, is driving diversity and inclusion across the technology sector, creating opportunities to thrive in entrepreneurship. Their achievements over the past months exemplify the impact women continue to have across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
WOMEN WHO OWN: MALIN FRITHIOFSSON
Recognized in 2025 at the Global Startup Awards as “Ecosystem Hero of the Year” for the Nordics, and as the global People’s Choice winner, Malin Frithiofsson stands out as one of the most influential voices shaping the future of femtech and women’s inclusion in STEM. As CEO and co-founder of Daya Ventures, the world’s first Femtech Venture Studio, Frithiofsson has played a key role in building and scaling multiple women’s health startups.
Malin Frithiofsson has never been one to follow the rules but always in the business of rewriting them. In late 2025, she launched “One of the Girls Has Money Now”, a “first of its kind startup investing crash course and community, created by women, for women”. The initiative goes beyond teaching the mechanics of investment; it is about owning the future.
Through actionable knowledge and practical tools, Malin empowers women to take their first steps not just into investing, but into a world where the innovations shaping our lives are truly owned by those who create them.
As further proof of her strong commitment to positioning women at the center of the scientific and innovation community, in October 2025 Malin Frithiofsson, together with Daya Ventures, launched a community funding round open to its own network through a Seedrs-powered investment, requiring a minimum contribution of €100. With a portfolio of 18 ventures, 98% of which are owned by women, Daya Ventures breaks new ground, pushing the conversation around ownership and inclusion to an even more grassroots level.
The idea behind this initiative is both simple and radical: the results generated over the years, by women in femtech, represents an invaluable contribution that risks remaining anchored to the traditional system, rather than actively reshaping its future. By opening access to ownership, Daya Ventures marks a turning point in the history of femtech, advancing a message that it has boldly championed: “The future of women’s health shouldn’t just be built for women. It should be owned by us.”
EMPOWERING WOMEN AT EVERY STAGE: DAISY ISIAHO
After winning the Future Shaper Award at the Global Startup Awards Africa 2023 with Zuri Health, a virtual healthcare platform delivering affordable and accessible medical services across sub-Saharan Africa, co-founder Daisy Isiaho did not slow down.
In 2025, Zuri Health introduced Petals, marking a new milestone in women’s digital healthcare. Building on Zuri Health’s vision, Daisy led this initiative to combine insights from medical professionals with advanced AI technology, ensuring women receive timely, unbiased, and easily accessible guidance.
Petals was designed as a hybrid solution, combining the demand for quick answers with the credibility and assistance of trained professionals. Specifically designed for women, the platform guides users through the key stages of life, from puberty to menopause, providing personalized support and actionable advice for every step of the way.
Petals represents a major stepping stone in Daisy Isiaho’s mission, reinforcing Zuri Health’s core principles and ensuring that digital healthcare truly meets the needs of women at every stage of life.
FROM LOCAL INNOVATION TO GLOBAL IMPACT: HAJDI CENAN
Hajdi Cenan, recognized as one of the finalists for the Diversity Role Model at the Global Startup Awards, due to her influential work with airt, remains at the forefront of technological innovation and development.
Cenan was recently appointed as Senior Manager of Technical Projects at Synthpop AI, following the strategic acquisition of her startup airt with the U.S. based healthcare company.
The acquisition allows airt’s innovative AI systems to step into the U.S. health care industry, bringing their technology to a global stage continuing streamlining workflows, supporting smarter decision-making, and increasing efficiency across routine operations.
For Cenan and her co-founder, the acquisition was the result of a collaborative process grounded in a shared vision aiming to merge the expertise, creativity, and talent while preserving the innovative spirit that have always defined airt mission.
Beyond the business milestone, Cenan’s influence resonates across STEM. Through her leadership, mentorship, and advocacy, she continues to champion diversity and inclusion in technology, inspiring women to pursue careers in science and engineering. Cenan's work demonstrates how entrepreneurial vision and technical excellence can drive commercial success while positively impacting society, making her a standout figure in the global tech community.
WOMEN LEADING CHANGE: DRIVING ECOSYSTEMS
The achievements of women like Malin Frithiofsson, Daisy Isiaho, and Hajdi Cenan are a powerful reminder that progress in entrepreneurship and STEM is built on visibility, leadership, and ownership. These women alumni and industry heroes are not only shaping their fields, they are creating new opportunities, mentoring the next generation, and redefining what it means to lead. At the Global Startup Awards, we celebrate their journeys which have shown that the real impact goes far beyond recognition.
ABOUT THE GLOBAL STARTUP AWARDS
The Global Startup Awards discovers, supports, and celebrates visionary entrepreneurs and high-growth startups worldwide. Through competitions, community features, and storytelling, GSA helps founders connect, share insights, and accelerate their ventures.
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from the GSA alumni network. There’s much more innovation ahead.