WINNER: Kim Jackson, Kim Jackson, Principal of Skip Capital
Co-founder and Principal of Skip Capital, Kim Jackson was the recipient of this year’s award. Chosen by a panel of judges Jackson is a true trailblazer, with a vision to back, “phenomenal entrepreneurs who have a passion for solving big problems”.
Whereas typically, less than 2% of global venture capital goes to female-led companies, Skip Capital invests heavily in start-ups led and founded by women – around half its investment pool - as well as businesses focused on health, clean energy and workplace equality.
Kate Morris, CEO and Founder of Adore Beauty
Kate Morris is a force to be reckoned with. Not only did she start Australia’s first beauty e-commerce store at 21, changing the industry for good, she did it from her Melbourne garage with just $12,000.
A passionate advocate for gender equality, Kate implemented the Adore Beauty Women in Tech Scholarship in 2017. The fund aims to provide Australia’s future female tech leaders with a paid internship plus a $2,000 boost to their tuition fees.
With an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for the beauty industry, there’s little wonder why Morris was shortlisted for this award.
Dr Catriona Wallace, CEO & Founder of Flamingo AI
Dr Catriona Wallace is living proof that women in the tech industry can’t be stopped. As the founder and CEO of one of the few AI companies listed in Australia, she is one of the most well-regarded experts in her field globally.
In her spare time, the mother of five moonlights as a human rights activist. She's the founder of Indigo Express Fund which funds indigenous literacy; Kids in Philanthropy which mobilises children to have a broader social consciousness and fund children in need; and Out & Up, an employment program for women prisoners, refugees and asylum seekers.
Emma Welsh, Co-Founder of Emma & Tom’s
When she ditched the 9-5 to start a health food brand with her good friend Tom Griffith, Emma Welsh didn’t know what to expect. Fast forward 15 years and Emma & Tom’s supplies premium health food products to over 5000 outlets in Australia.
For Welsh, it’s not about personal success, it’s about giving back to the community. Emma & Tom’s charity water initiative delivers $60,000 per year to support disadvantaged youths and education, and in 2017, the business became a B Corp certifying its social and environmental performance and focus on sustainability.
Grace Wong, CMO & Co-Founder of Liven
Young female lawyer turned startup entrepreneur, Grace Wong is challenging the male stereotype that dominates the fintech industry.
In 2014, Grace founded Liven with her brother William Wong and university friend David Ballerini. Liven is an app offering users the opportunity to browse curated restaurants, cafés, and bars in their city, pay instantly on their phone with a single tap. Today, LivenPay is the fastest growing lifestyle payment app in Australia, recently ranked in the top 10 in the app store.
No stranger to awards, Wong was the recipient of the 2018 B&T 30 under 30 and the 2018 SmartCompany’s Smart 30 Under 30.
