Sara Wahedi (born 23 January 1995) is an Afghan-Canadian tech entrepreneur and humanitarian.[1] She is the Chief Executive Officer of Civaam,[2] founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ehtesab, a civic technology startup in Kabul, Afghanistan.[3][4]
Sara Wahedi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Sara Wahedi 23 January 1995 |
| Nationality | Afghan-Canadian |
| Education | Columbia University |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Businesswoman |
Biography
editWahedi was born in Kabul. Wahedi and her family emigrated from Kabul and settled in Canada in 2005.[5] Wahedi founded Ehtesab in 2018.[6][7] She started the company with $2,500 of her own savings and later attracted investment from a New York-based tech design entrepreneur, and Netlinks, one of Afghanistan's largest IT companies, which contributed an additional $40,000.[3] Ehtesab enables its users to report on local incidents, establishing it as Afghanistan's first citizen engagement platform.[8] It provides real-time security alerts and updates in three languages.[6] The app combats misinformation by providing real-time updates on Kabul's security, energy, and traffic situations.[9] In 2021, it proved especially valuable to residents during the bombings, roadblocks, and attacks that occurred as the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan. At that time, the company employed 20 people.[10] The app is developing covert platforms to enable women to discreetly access healthcare, education, and employment services, thereby bypassing Taliban surveillance and restrictions.[8][11]
In 2024, Wahedi earned a bachelor's degree in urban studies with a concentration in architecture from Columbia University.[12] She also serves on the board of Rukhshana Media, a news organization focused on women’s issues in Afghanistan.[13] She has also completed an internship with Apple, where she worked with teams specializing in artificial intelligence and machine learning.[14]
Accolades
edit- Wahedi was recognized as one of TIME Magazine's Next Generation Leaders in 2021.[15]
- Wahedi has been named as Clarendon Scholar to attend Oxford University in 2024.[16]
- She was listed among MIT Technology Review's Innovators Under 35 in 2022.[17][18]
- In 2023, she was awarded as Entrepreneur of the Year by One Young World.[12][19]
- Wahedi was included in Top 100 inspiring and influential women by BBC in 2021.[15]
- In 2023, she was named to Forbes "30 Under 30" list for Social Impact.[20]
- In 2023, she was inducted into GS Honor Society.[21]
References
edit- ^ Murgia, Madhumita (August 22, 2021). "Homegrown app helping Kabul residents steer clear of danger". Financial Times. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "Sara Wahedi | Blavatnik School of Government". www.bsg.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ a b "Afghan-Canadian entrepreneur's new mobile app helps keep civilians updated on nearby security issues". The Globe and Mail. August 24, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Parkin, Benjamin; Manson, Katrina; Kazmin, Amy (August 14, 2021). "US sends more troops as Kabul braces for Taliban onslaught". Financial Times. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "Q&A: Afghan Tech CEO Sara Wahedi". New York City News Service. May 26, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Duffy, Kate. "The founder of a Kabul-based startup says she deleted details of her female staff to protect them as the Taliban neared the city". Business Insider. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Sengupta, Trisha (September 24, 2023). "Entrepreneur shares pic of Kabul's women-run eatery before Taliban takeover". Hindustan Times.
- ^ a b Fair, Vanity (January 23, 2024). "A Brave New World". Vanity Fair. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "Refugee advocate develops app to bring real-time protection to people in Afghanistan". www.unrefugees.org. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Mansoor, Sanya (October 13, 2021). "This Tech CEO Helps Fellow Afghans Feel Safer Every Day". TIME. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "Fear over dystopian change to nation's shop windows: 'Erasing women'". Yahoo News. January 22, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ a b "Sara Wahedi". interview-her.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "Rukhshana Media Board of Trustees". Rukhshana Media. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ "Sara Wahedi GS'24 named Clarendon Scholar | Undergraduate Research and Fellowships". urf.columbia.edu. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ a b "BBC 100 Women 2021: Who is on the list this year?". December 7, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "Sara Wahedi GS'24 named Clarendon Scholar | Undergraduate Research and Fellowships". urf.columbia.edu. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ "Sara Wahedi". Forbes. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "Sara Wahedi". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "Introducing the Winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 supported by TFG Asset Management | One Young World". www.oneyoungworld.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "Forbes 30 Under 30 2023: Social Impact". Forbes. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "76 Students Inducted into the GS Honor Society". urf.columbia.edu. Retrieved June 21, 2024.