Women in Innovation: Building Solutions That Matter
What does it really take to turn an important problem into a solution that creates lasting impact — and then build the networks, capital and resilience needed to scale it?
Women in Innovation: Building Solutions That Matter brings together women founders, investors and industry leaders for an afternoon of candid conversations about the realities of building and growing ambitious ventures.
From early-stage fundraising and community building to responsible innovation, scaling and the journey towards the public markets, the session will explore what happens beyond the initial idea — the decisions, relationships and challenges that shape whether an innovation can grow into something meaningful and sustainable.
Hosted by UCL Hatchery founders Tina Wang, Founder & CEO of MentorMind Education, and Kate Julia, Founder & CEO of VirWave and kithfold.ai, the event brings together perspectives from capital markets, venture capital, community building and founders developing solutions across technology, AI, health, media and social impact.
Featured speakers
Lauren Crawley-Moore — Senior Business Manager, LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group)
Female Founders, Capital Markets & the Road to IPO
Lauren will open the event with a perspective on what it takes to move from startup to scale-up and, ultimately, towards the public markets — exploring growth capital, governance, leadership, visibility and the networks founders need to build for the long term.
Shreya Choudhuri — Founder, BuildHer Labs
From Zero to 10K+: Personal Brand, AI & Community-Led Growth
Shreya will share how she built a 10K+ community from zero using authentic personal branding and AI-powered content, and how community-led growth has become one of her most powerful acquisition channels as a founder.
Jess McCarten — COO, Sie Ventures
VC & Fundraising Spotlight: Female Founders Raising Venture Capital
Jess will bring the investor perspective, looking at what makes an early-stage venture investment-ready, how founders can build stronger investor relationships, common fundraising mistakes and how women founders can navigate the VC landscape more effectively.
Founder Panel: From Problem to Impact
The second half of the event brings together founders building solutions around real-world problems:
Amanda Kane — UCL Hatchery Founder, Anthrospecs
Building trust and adoption when introducing new technology into body measurement and clothing fit.
Hana Chi — UCL Hatchery Founder, Skinario
Balancing personalisation, scientific evidence, innovation and user trust in skincare technology.
Tholang Mathopa — Chevening Scholar & Founder, Leriba.AI
Exploring how AI-enabled innovation can remain inclusive, accessible and grounded in meaningful impact.
Together, the panel will explore the journey from identifying a problem worth solving to validating demand, navigating setbacks, building responsibly and moving towards a sustainable venture.
Agenda
14:00–14:10 | Welcome & introductions
Opening remarks from Tina Wang and Kate Julia.
14:10–14:25 | Female Founders, Capital Markets & the Road to IPO
Lauren Crawley-Moore, LSEG
14:25–14:40 | From Zero to 10K+: Personal Brand, AI & Community-Led Growth
Shreya Choudhuri, BuildHer Labs
14:40–14:55 | Female Founders Raising Venture Capital
Jess McCarten, Sie Ventures
14:55–15:05 | Short break
15:05–15:35 | Founder Panel: From Problem to Impact
Amanda Kane, Hana Chi and Tholang Mathopa
15:35–15:55 | Audience Q&A
An open conversation with speakers and panellists on fundraising, community-led growth, partnerships, responsible AI, leadership, scaling, resilience and access to opportunities.
15:55–16:00 | Closing remarks & connections
What you’ll gain
Attendees will leave with:
Practical insights from founders, investors and industry leaders at different stages of the innovation journey
A clearer understanding of the capital journey — from early-stage venture funding through growth and potentially the public markets
Practical perspectives on fundraising, investor relationships, community building and scaling
Insights into responsible innovation, AI, trust and user-centred product development
Honest reflections on resilience, setbacks and the realities of building a venture
Opportunities to connect with women founders, innovators, investors and members of the wider UCL entrepreneurial community
Audience Q&A
The final part of the session will open to the audience, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions directly to the speakers and panellists on topics including fundraising, team building, partnerships, responsible AI, leadership, scaling and access to opportunities.
Whether you are already building a venture, exploring entrepreneurship, working in innovation or simply curious about how meaningful ideas become scalable businesses, this event offers an opportunity to learn from women who are building, investing in and shaping the future of innovation.
Come for the insights. Stay for the conversations, connections and community.