Sara Wahedi

Last updated

Sara Wahedi
Born
Sara Wahedi
Nationality Afghan-Canadian
Education Columbia University
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur, Businesswoman

Sara Wahedi is an Afghan-Canadian tech entrepreneur and humanitarian. [1] She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ehtesab, a civic technology startup in Kabul, Afghanistan. [2] [3]

Contents

Biography

Wahedi was born in Kabul. Wahedi and her family emigrated from Kabul and settled in Canada in 2005. [4] Wahedi founded Ehtesab in 2018. [5] [6] 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. [2] Ehtesab enables its users to report on local incidents, establishing it as Afghanistan's first citizen engagement platform. [7] It provides real-time security alerts and updates in three languages. [5] The app combats misinformation by providing real-time updates on Kabul's security, energy, and traffic situations. [8] 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. [9] The app is developing covert platforms to enable women to discreetly access healthcare, education, and employment services, thereby bypassing Taliban surveillance and restrictions. [7] [10]

In 2024, Wahedi earned a bachelor's degree in urban studies with a concentration in architecture from Columbia University. [11] She also serves on the board of Rukhshana Media, a news organization focused on women’s issues in Afghanistan. [12] She has also completed an internship with Apple, where she worked with teams specializing in artificial intelligence and machine learning. [13]

Accolades

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. ↑ Murgia, Madhumita (August 22, 2021). "Homegrown app helping Kabul residents steer clear of danger". Financial Times. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "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.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ "Q&A: Afghan Tech CEO Sara Wahedi". New York City News Service. May 26, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  5. 1 2 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.
  6. ↑ Sengupta, Trisha (September 24, 2023). "Entrepreneur shares pic of Kabul's women-run eatery before Taliban takeover". Hindustan Times .
  7. 1 2 Fair, Vanity (January 23, 2024). "A Brave New World". Vanity Fair. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Refugee advocate develops app to bring real-time protection to people in Afghanistan". www.unrefugees.org. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  9. ↑ Mansoor, Sanya (October 13, 2021). "This Tech CEO Helps Fellow Afghans Feel Safer Every Day". TIME. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Fear over dystopian change to nation's shop windows: 'Erasing women'". Yahoo News. January 22, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  11. 1 2 "Sara Wahedi". interview-her.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Rukhshana Media Board of Trustees". Rukhshana Media. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Sara Wahedi GS'24 named Clarendon Scholar | Undergraduate Research and Fellowships". urf.columbia.edu. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  14. 1 2 "BBC 100 Women 2021: Who is on the list this year?". December 7, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Sara Wahedi GS'24 named Clarendon Scholar | Undergraduate Research and Fellowships". urf.columbia.edu. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Sara Wahedi". Forbes. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Sara Wahedi". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ "Forbes 30 Under 30 2023: Social Impact". Forbes. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  20. ↑ "76 Students Inducted into the GS Honor Society". urf.columbia.edu. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
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