The 49 Most Notable Female Internet Heroes of 2009
2009 has endured the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and yet female start-ups are growing in numbers as more of our lives are spent online. We have compiled our list of notable 2009 Female Internet Hero achievements. Far from exhaustive, if you feel you should be added to the list let us know as we will be adding to the list:
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The Digital Government Hero
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The Launch Heroes
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Which asks entrepreneurs the question “What are you working on?”
Paola de Leo and Co-Founder Colin Firth launch BrightwideA platform where you can watch the best social and political cinema
Penelope Trunk of Brazen Careerist launches a professional social network for Generation Y The blog network, which launched over a year ago, provides a network focusing on the ‘human side’ of potential employees.
Mr and Mrs Tom Harrow (Former Microsoft programmer) relaunches Findababysitter.com A site with the UK’s first database of geo-coded child carers
Deirdre Bounds launches Parties Around the WorldA website that offers an ethical alternative for busy parents fed up of the throwaway consumerism perpetuated by children’s birthday parties
Where users can buy and sell their homes, take control of the process and all for free
Rajeeb Dey and Leah Magoye (Africa Representative) launches Enternships
the first online platform to successfully recruit graduates for roles in start-ups and leading small businesses across the globe
A site that helps ladies economise their chic ways
A mentorship tool with a learning relationship that benefits through conversations and guidance
Stephanie Phair and Net-A-Porter launch TheOutnet.comOffering women worldwide unparalleled choice and discounts on previous season’s luxury fashion from over 200 brands
a social network for Irish language learners.
A network for women who like to share and show their talents
The Queen relaunches the Royal websitewith a Buckingham Palace reception and guests including Sir Tim-Berners Lee.
Kim Mance of Galavanting launches travelblogexchangeA platform where travel bloggers can congregate, offer tips, advice and support to each other.
A combination of Linkedin, Eventbrite and Meetup for UK entrepreneurs
Sophie Cox launch Worldeka A social network with a conscience.
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The Fundraising Heroes
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Dr Fran Crawford secures £500k investment from the Aspire Fund for AltacorAn ophthalmology development and marketing company in Cambridge.
Polly Gowers secures £350k investment from the Aspire Fund for Everyclick The on-line platform which enables consumers to make secure donations to any one of the UK’s 200,000 charities
Gina Bianchini and Ning raise $15m and named as one of Fastcompanys 20 Most Influential Women in Tech Where users can create, customise and share their own social networks
Marina Tognetti and Myngle secure The online platform linking teachers and people achieves government backed funding totally almost €1m
Jana Eggers and Spreadshirt Announce from Accel and Kennet Partners.
Alicia Navarro and Skimlinks raises two rounds of funding Led by Sussex Place Ventures, the first round was believed to be in the region of £700k and the second £900,000c
Lesley Eccles of Hubdub achieves £810, 000 in funding from Pentech Ventures, Scottish Co-Investment Fund and additional Angel Investors.
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The Career Heroes
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Angel Gambino joins Sonico as VP, Business Development The social network of Latin America that organises people’s lives online
In the Future Media & Technology division
Carol Bartz is announced CEO of Yahoo One of the most prominent women in Silicon Valley, she is a technology veteran and one of Forbes 100 most powerful women in 2009.
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The Award Winning Heroes
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Claire Boonstra wins The Accenture Innovation Awards for LayarThe reality browser
For travel tip website Spotted by Locals
At ‘The Bloggies’ for her ‘Confessions of a Pioneer Woman’. She also won Best-Designed Weblog and Best Photography of a Weblog.
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The Exit Hero
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The award-winning Koodos was sold to e-trader for an undisclosed amount
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The Investor Heroes
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Julie Meyer re-launches Entrepreneurs Country and announces the ACE Fund Entrepreneurs Country aims to be the entrepreneurial home – the must-read, and the must-contribute-to place – for Europe’s entrepreneurs
Sheetal Mehta launches Shanti MicrofinanceWhich takes technology and microfinance to entrepreneurs in slums in India.
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The Influential Heroes
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The Deal Making Heroes
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Karin Loeffen closes deals with BT and Hyves for use of Libersy Which now sees BT Tradespace offering online booking and payment, and Hyves online organisation of events
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The Catalyst Heroes
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An incubator program that calls itself a philanthropy organisation
Sharon Vosmek of Astia, Carola Schropp of EBD group and Sara Jane Demy of Demy-Colton Life-Science form a Biotech Partnership
To provide extra support to women entrepreneurs starting and growing biotech companies
Reshma Sohoni announces mini-Seedcamp in the UKA slimmed down version of their Seedcamp week
Astia launches its ‘Doing it Right Program’ in the UK For exceptional women entrepreneurs who want to increase their ability to attract and understand funding
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The Top Entrepreneurial Heroes
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Christina Vaughan of Image Source named as one of the UK’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women by Real Business
Rita Sharma of Bestattravel.com named as one of the UK’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women by Real Business
Sarah McVittie of Textperts named as one of the UK’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women by Real Business
Natalie Massenet of Net-A-Porter named as one of the UK’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women by Real Business
Zarine Kharas of Justgiving .com named as one of the UK’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women by Real Business
Tamara Heber-Percy of Mr & Mrs Smith Boutique Hotel Guides named as one of the UK’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women by Real Business
Christina Domecq of SpinVox named as one of the UK’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women by Real Business
Karen Darby of Simply Switch Utilities comparison service named as one of the UK’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women by Real Business
Bec Astley Clarke of Astleyclarke.com named as one of the UK’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women by Real Business
Glenys Berd of ilovethoseshoes.com named as one of the UK’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Womenby Real Business
January 11, 2010 | Filed Under Beth Griffin Europe , awards & events , companies , female internet heroes , finance , launch , news , people , start-up , technology , women in business | 9 Comments
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Don’t forget Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez .
Would be interested to know if any of these women started their on-line businesses after having children.
Perhaps the career break that many women have when raising small children provides them with a great opportunity to commence their own on-line businesses at home?
Where is Leah Culver!
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Hermiony Way should deifnitely be on the list!
She founded http://newspepper.com and of course http://techfluff.tv
I think it’s not coincidental that so many women start their business during an economic crisis. Women are used to solve problems in a downpour, to take action and rise to the occasion.
I wish them all the success in the world!
Where is Oprah Winfrey !!!!!
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