Category: Business Spotlight

Edwige Dazogbo is Founder and President of Edgy TV, a multicultural TV channel created especially for North American, Asian, African, West Indies, European, and Middle Eastern audiences to celebrate the diversity of life through glamour, music, fashion, and entertainment. The channel is available on Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku TV, Android TV, and more, with its programmes covering general news, music videos, and fashion, alongside Nollywood, Hollywood, and Bollywood movies, celebrity interviews, reality shows, and even manga anime. Being the brilliant visionary behind Edgy TV with over 20 years’ experience in the media field, we leapt at the opportunity to discover Edwige Dazogbo’s story.

Edwige Dazogbo was born in Benin, West Africa, and much of her youth was spent travelling and living across several different countries due to her father being a United Nations diplomat. As such, she was, during these formative years, exposed to an abundance of different cultures, igniting a passion for embracing diversity and inclusivity early on. It was also at a young age that Edwige discovered her flair for storytelling, with this fuelled by French literature studies at high school and her creativity being nurtured by her father and teachers.

By the age of 17, Edwige’s dream was to become a filmmaker, so, after a move to Montreal, she immersed herself in cinematographic studies at university, and found she loved American Film History the most. After a year, the university’s orientation coordinator had recognised Edwige’s talent and recommended she switch to communications and public relations – This meant she found herself at a crossroads. Her desire was to study at a UK private school, but she wasn’t ready to move abroad on her own just yet, thus she made the decision to continue studying at the University of Montreal, before realising how more problem-solving, analytical skills such as finance could benefit her career.

Wanting to gain practical experience, Edwige and her friends created a short film entitled “Colors”. From there, she discovered her forte for media management, which soon opened doors to exciting media and television opportunities. At the age of 20, Edwige began her first job in cinema and communications at a film festival, a four-year stint which gave her a deeper understanding of African film representation in the media. She then decided to take her learning further with leadership and management courses, with her now looking to complete a Doctorate in Business Administration in the USA.

Edwige celebrates her Beninese heritage, while also identifying as Afro Canadian, and she stands tall as a black entrepreneur who is taking the corporate world by storm. She is paving the way for other immigrants, ensuring equal opportunities for future generations, and is proud to see more people of colour in leadership roles. “As a black business leader, I’m glad every time I see more and more people of colour seeing a high level of success,” she tells us. “But it lacks in the media; this is why I believe we need Edgy TV, as a mirror of our diverse society to show a better inclusive world for the future generations.”

“We aim to unite humanity’s cultures to make a difference in our society and contribute to peace.”

Indeed, it is the lack of diverse representation in the media that inspired Edwige to establish the unique and original concept of Edgy TV. It all began with the 60-page digital Edgy Magazine back in 2014, which celebrates the lifestyles of professional women aged 20 to 55, covering fashion and different cultures. Edgy didn’t take long to grow into a mini empire comprising 10 magazines, five TV channels, and two radio stations. Notably, during the pandemic, Edgy TV surpassed 10 million views on a UK platform, which reflects its extensive growth and influence. Today, Edgy TV is joined by sister channels, MAMA BENZ TV, which aims to empower African women, and EDGY URBAN, which shows a refreshing combination of content, from romantic dramas to Indian movies to traditional African films, and more.

Edgy TV now boasts a global reach and looks to share its platform with other businesses that share its values. It has been partnered with Reuters TV for three years, featuring their news on its website, and it continues to welcome partnerships with other businesses, offering opportunities for them to advertise and broadcast their content. The channel is actively seeking partners to feature their short films, features, documentaries, animations, music videos, student and television productions such as series and reality, fashion-inspired shows, cooking shows, talk shows, cultural events, and more.

“We present your brand’s message on a big, bold, and beautiful online platform.”

While Edgy has seen vast success, that’s not to say it has come without its hurdles, as Edwige tells us, “The most challenging accomplishment was having the right funding in place and getting my government licenses for broadcasting and telecom.” It was her passion towards getting her vision across to investors and partners that was the key to securing the funding needed in order to make Edgy TV a reality and a success. Ever since, she has built a strong network of partners, supporters, filmmakers, journalists, actors, producers, marketers, and more, whose values and beliefs align with her own and who each contribute to the thriving of Edgy TV in their own way.

It is clear to see the trailblazer that Edwige is, and we can already count several factors that have made her stand out for success within the Global CEO Excellence Awards 2024 – but she tells us what she feels makes her special: “I feel I stand out from other CEOs in my industry because I’ve experienced too many ‘destiny’ moments. It is a well-trodden, clear path; it is not by ambition, but by passion, inspired by artists. I wanted to realise my dreams.”

She continues, “A positive impact in my role as CEO at Edgy TV is the moment when I see a light in the eyes of someone else while I’m talking to them about my passion for multiculturism, media, and fashion. When I feel someone learned something positive through my work, then I feel satisfied. I want to keep people happy and continue to grow my media thanks to their support.”

“I do believe that whether you are black, African, or an immigrant, the possibilities are endless, and the opportunities are available for anyone who wants to create something and make a change.”

Edwige’s passion and determination are undeniable, and they have led her to some extraordinary places, with her showing no signs of slowing down. She continues to work towards making her dreams a reality, telling us how her next plans are to enter the hospitality and telecoms industries. She remains motivated and devoted toward achieving her greatest aspirations and making a global impact, constantly pushing the boundaries and having solidified her position as a truly inspirational figure within the media industry and the black community.

Edwige is excited about all that is to come, not just for her upcoming projects, but for the media industry as a whole. She believes the best is yet to come and looks forward to content becoming more interactive through the innovative ways it is produced, broadcast, and consumed. In line with this, her company isn’t named ‘Edgy’ for nothing; it is the definition of different and avant-gardism, continuing to combine modern and traditionalism, and always striving to remain innovative and relevant for its partners and audience.

For those wishing to follow in Edwige’s footsteps, whether in the media industry or as a leader, she leaves us with the following food for thought: “Be yourself when you talk to the corporate world dealing with you. Never ever give up on your dreams and dare to listen to your heart and passion to keep going. Great things will surely eventually happen.”

For business enquiries, contact Edwige Dazogbo from Edgy TV via email – [email protected] or on their website – www.edgytv.ca

Asendia Group is one of the world’s leaders in international ecommerce and mail distribution, formed in 2012 as a joint venture between La Post and Swiss Post. The group was established to harness and develop the cross-border international B2C market for goods distribution. Asendia Italy is helmed by CEO Ulisse Albertazzi, who has been named in the prestigious Most Influential CEO Awards 2024. Below, we speak with Ulisse to find out more about his journey to success.

Driven by the global boom in ecommerce, Asendia Group operates with the global vision of empowering its customers across the globe with seamless access to global markets through innovative and sustainable cross-border ecommerce distribution  solutions. In addition to this, Asendia Italy covers the entire logistic supply chain, including fulfilment and warehousing.

The company is built upon the core values of putting the customer at the forefront of its operations and working towards a sustainable future. “Trust is at the heart of everything we do,” says Ulisse. “We deliver on our promises, promoting the trust and goodwill of our staff and customers. Sustainability is also one of our key priorities – we aim to reduce our own impact on the environment, along with supporting and advising our customers with their own sustainability objectives.”  

Ulisse Albertazzi is an entrepreneurial expert, renowned across the industry for his capabilities in leadership, logistics, and management. Ulisse began his career in 1993, as Founding Partner and Managing Director of Pony Express Greece Ltd. He was responsible for the startup of the company and its complete management, including operations, sales, and finance.

In 2000, Ulisse became the Depot Director Milan and managed the company’s major branch in Italy. Following this, he was then appointed the role of Country Operations Manager Italy, a position that saw Ulisse responsible for coordinating the Italian branches of Pony Express.

In September of 2002, Ulisse took on the role of Business Area Manager for TNT Global Express S.p.a., in which he managed the entire business of the Lombardy area branches. Over the course of 11 years, Ulisse rose the ranks to become the Business Unit Strategic Account Director for the company, a position he took on in 2012. Throughout the duration of his career with TNT Global Express S.p.a., Ulisse gained invaluable experience in leadership, team management, and performance management.

“I am a manager who, after a successful entrepreneurial experience, has embarked on a career path within major multinationals operating in the B2B and B2C services sector, covering roles of responsibility, characterised over time by increasing complexity and strategic vision,” Ulisse tells us. “My career has allowed me to acquire consolidated skills in managing teams dedicated to operational, commercial, administrative, and relational activities with all stakeholders.”

In 2014, Ulisse joined Asendia Italy as its Chief Executive Officer. In this role, he is responsible for the profit and loss management of the company, hence all the functions respond to him. In particular, Ulisse’s direct reports manage operations, finance, sales, marketing, human resources, and IT. His expansive experience across numerous roles in his career has perfectly enabled Ulisse to oversee a myriad of operations.

For budding CEOs who are at the beginning of their journey, Ulisse advises, “Do different experiences; be curious and listen to others. Looking at the world and situations from different angles facilitates a lot of the decision-making process. Never forget that companies are composed of people – staff, customers, and suppliers.”

To Ulisse, people are the first priority in the business, both employees and customers. Therefore, he strives to spend as much time as possible with his team and clientele. Listening to customers and market needs is the only way to grow in such a fast-paced climate

As for his leadership style, Ulisse abides by two mottos: “Never give up” and “Don’t panic”. His varying experiences gained over the course of his career has well-equipped him to drive his team through any challenge that may arise. Ulisse believes that he has learned a lot from his failures, which he considers essential for professional and private growth. Additionally, Ulisse stresses the importance of teamwork across the company, believing that we alone cannot achieve any important result.

In fact, Ulisse cites the team as the heartbeat of Asendia Italy. He tells us that the culture is deeply customer-centric; every day, its employees are committed to providing excellent services that anticipate its client’s needs and exceeds their expectations.

Asendia Italy is a forward-looking company that firmly believes in the power of innovation. The company actively encourages employees to contribute ideas and continuously searches for new ways to improve its processes and services. Asendia Italy invests in developing the skills of its employees through customised training programmes, professional development opportunities, and regular information meetings to share company goals, achievements, and new strategies. In this approach, all employees feel a part of each project and are motivated to produce their best work.

“Innovation is the engine that drives us towards new goals and allows us to remain competitive in an ever-changing market,” says Ulisse. “We strongly believe in teamwork and collaboration. We promote a stimulating work environment, where ideas are shared, and challenges are faced together.”

In such a fast-paced world, Ulisse encounters numerous challenges and often must make decisions in a short time frame. He reflects that it is important to have a strong and reliable team that can support their CEO in difficult times and situations. He has successfully cultivated such a team in Asendia Italy, driven by the belief that transforming challenges into opportunities is the best result one can achieve.

With challenges come many new opportunities, and Ulisse notes that he has been presented with numerous during his time with Asendia Italy. The company allows Ulisse the freedom to explore any kind of logistics business, which has given him the opportunity to close new deals with important multinational companies.

“In these last ten years,” he says, “I have led the company to achieve important results in terms of business development, customer retention, process optimisation, and the improvement of the internal climate and corporate image through an important change management process.”

The logistics and supply chain management sector, like many others, is subject to continuous evolution and new challenges. One of the main challenges currently facing Asendia Italy is the rapidly increasing demand for international shipping services, particularly within the ecommerce sector. To meet this need, the company has developed e-PAQ 360 by Asendia Italy, an integrated solution that covers the entire logistics process, from the storage of goods, preparation and processing of orders to the  final delivery. Because of this solution, and the introduction of automation in its warehouses, the company can handle increasing volumes of shipments whilst maintaining fast delivery times and competitive costs.

Another challenge is environmental sustainability. Ulisse tells us that the company is aware of its impact on the environment and is actively working to reduce its CO2 emissions. As of 2022, Asendia Group is 100% carbon neutral and offsetting all emissions caused by its international transport worldwide, including that of its partners. Additionally, the company offsets emissions from parcel returns, its buildings, machinery, and business travels, investing in projects that promote renewable energy to do so.

Asendia Italy successfully demonstrates its commitment to promoting environmental sustainability through taking concrete actions within the workplace. Such actions include adopting low energy consumption equipment, implementing strict policies to reduce the use of plastic, and encouraging customers to use sustainable packaging. These adjustments are effective steps on the journey to carbon neutrality and are a testament to the company’s dedication to the planet.

As for the future, Ulisse tells us that Asendia  has recently set a new five year strategy, based on the five pillars of global network development, customer base expansion, innovation and product evolution, technological advancement, and strengthening the range of solutions offered. The company is seeking continual improvement on its journey to success, and with an industry mogul such as Ulisse spearheading the operation, it will not achieve anything less.

In regard to his own career, Ulisse tells us of his plans to build upon his own success. “I will be listening to the market’s evolution, learning from others and developing the business as much as possible,” he says. “In addition to thinking outside of the box. This is the only way I know to improve my professional journey.”

Already regarded as an esteemed individual within the industry, we have no doubt that Ulisse will certainly hone his craft even further. Ulisse displays an unwavering commitment to the prosperity of both his team and the company, a commitment that has deservedly earned him the title of the Most Influential CEO 2024 in eCommerce and Mail Delivery Solutions. We at CEO Monthly would like to congratulate Ulisse on his achievement, and eagerly anticipate future developments from this pioneering leader.

For business enquiries, contact Ulisse Albertazzi from Asendia Italy S.r.I on their website – https://www.asendia.it/

AAZZUR stands out as a beacon of foresight and strategic thinking in an industry where innovation is the key to survival. The fintech has grown to be a trailblazer in the financial technology sector, navigating through waves of change and emerging as a leader in embedded finance solutions. We had the privilege of speaking with the CEO and co-founder of AAZZUR, Philipp Buschmann, who shared insights into the company’s journey, the challenges they’ve overcome, and their vision for the future.

The Birth of AAZZUR

The inception of AAZZUR coincided with the third wave of fintech, a period marked by the rise of app-based financial services like Railsr and Solaris. While the first wave focused on infrastructure, the second brought user-centric applications and the third introduced solutions providers. It was in this evolving landscape that AAZZUR was conceived. Initially, the goal was to establish a challenger bank for Europeans. However, the team quickly realised that the future of fintech lay in creating innovative solutions rather than traditional banking models.

Philipp reflects on this early vision: “We started with the idea of becoming a challenger bank, but as we looked at the broader fintech landscape, we realised that the future would be built on more than just banking. We envisioned a world where financial services were seamlessly integrated into everyday experiences, and that’s where we positioned ourselves.”

Advice for Startups: Think with the End in Mind

For startups looking to lead rather than follow, Philipp offers sage advice: “Think with the end in mind and work backward. Too many people start with a great idea and then try to figure out how to implement it. Instead, focus on your end goal. What do you need to achieve it? Start small, grow bigger. Look at your journey in reverse. It’s essential to begin with a well-defined, high-value idea—one that’s defensible and can generate revenue quickly.”

He cautions against getting caught up in the allure of grand ambitions without a solid foundation. “Nobody starts an airline by buying planes first. They start with a route, then expand. In fintech, it’s important to start with a small, high-value idea that you can build on over time. It took us four years to reach where we are today, and it was a learning process.”

Embracing Innovation

AAZZUR’s success can be attributed to its ability to stay ahead of the curve. Philipp and team credit this to a combination of foresight and a bit of luck: “We were always years ahead, whether by design or circumstance. The key is to keep innovating. Once you’re established, the momentum can carry you, but you can’t afford to stop. Technology is always changing, and so must we.”

This philosophy has allowed AAZZUR to maintain its competitive edge in an industry that’s constantly evolving. By continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, the company has ensured that it remains at the forefront of fintech innovation.

The Power of Embedded Finance

Embedded finance is at the heart of AAZZUR’s offerings. The founder is quick to highlight the advantages of adopting these solutions: “If you’re hesitant to embrace embedded finance, you risk falling behind. Your competitors will have a 5% revenue advantage, and you’ll lose customers over time. It’s similar to when the internet first launched; those who didn’t adapt were left behind.”

He explains how embedded finance can transform businesses by giving an example of a lending client: “Imagine a lender who traditionally processes loans and disperses them to an applicant’s account. By embedding a bank account into this process, where the borrower’s salary is paid into that account, the lender can reduce default rates and offer lower interest rates, making their product more competitive. This is something AAZZUR enables, allowing lenders to offer better rates and grow faster.”

Building a Winning Team

At the core of AAZZUR’s success is its team. The founder places a strong emphasis on values and what he calls ‘superpowers’—the unique qualities each team member brings to the table. “All people are different, but values are important. Things like being nice, punctual, and helpful—they don’t cost a thing, but they make you a better person and, by extension, a better company. Success comes when opportunities are given to you when you’re not even in the room.”

Achievements and the Road Ahead

AAZZUR’s innovative approach has not gone unnoticed. The company has been recognised with several awards, including the Techround Fintech50 Award, Sifted’s EU Startup to Watch, and the coveted Mastercard Pitching Competition. These accolades are a testament to the impact AAZZUR is making in the fintech space.

Looking to the future, AAZZUR remains tight-lipped about its upcoming projects, although the founder hints at exciting developments on the horizon. “We’re working on some very exciting things, but I can’t share too much just yet. All I can say is, watch this space.”

Conclusion

As AAZZUR continues to innovate and expand, its long-term goals remain focused on transforming industries through embedded finance. The company is already making strides in sectors like travel, employee benefits, and insurance, with a clear vision for where they want to go next.

In an industry as dynamic as fintech, AAZZUR has shown that the key to success lies in foresight, innovation, and a strong, values-driven team. With these principles guiding them, AAZZUR is set to continue its journey as a pioneer in the world of financial technology.

• Female Founder relaunches a line of waterproof headscarves after receiving 20,000 emails from passionate supporters worldwide
• 97% of Black adults and 82% of Black children don’t swim, and Black children are 3.5 times more likely to drown than White children
•  Founder Danielle Obe has created waterproof headscarves specially designed for textured hair

According to the latest Sport England stats, 97% of Black adults and 82% of Black children in the UK do not swim. That does not mean they can’t swim, rather they just aren’t in the water. Black Swimming Association (BSA) research cites the cost of equipment, swimming lessons, transport, locations, and accessibility, as major contributing factors. Furthermore, the largest barrier to participation for people of African, Caribbean and Asian heritage was concern over their hair, as haircare can be very expensive, whether it’s maintaining, styling or protecting. 

Textured hair is more susceptible to long-term damage from the chemicals used in swimming pools. Prolonged contact can cause the hair to become dry and brittle, leading to breakage. The time, effort and cost it takes to treat and style hair after swimming can be a particular deterrent. Equally, they do not swim due to a lack of representation, inherited fears of drowning, negative early experiences, and a lack of water safety awareness and aquatic skills. Danielle Obe, Founder of Obé, seeks to change this, because having confidence and knowledge when in, on, or around water is proven to save lives.

It all started with a Promise

Obé began as a promise from a mother to a daughter. After an incident involving a swim cap unsuitable for textured hair resulting in a lot of tears, when her daughter Kayla was just four, Danielle vowed to find a solution that would make Kayla feel empowered and unafraid of water. Seven years later, that promise has evolved into Danielle’s life’s work.

A lightbulb moment

After spending months researching swim caps and working with focus groups to understand the challenges they had faced from using them, it was clear to Danielle that swim caps were never designed with textured hair in mind. Nor were they even designed to keep hair dry. It was like a light bulb moment. Hair wraps! Wrapping hair is a cultural practice among people of African, Caribbean, and Asian descent — a tradition that if revolutionised, could protect hair from water whilst looking and feeling good.

Danielle launched Obé under Nemes in early 2019, before being let down by the factory, who took her investment and created products that resembled nothing of the design she had spent months curating. After personally contacting everyone who had pre-ordered the product, she received over 20,000 emails from customers all over the globe who showed their unwavering support for Danielle’s mission.

Obé was born

A year later, she received a life-changing message from a manufacturing partner, Justgood, who believed in what she was trying to do and wanted to help her achieve what she had set out to do before. 

With the help of Justgood, Danielle embarked on creating the perfect material. It needed to be waterproof, but behave like fabric to be comfortable, functional and available to everyone. Enter Obé, the further improved, stylish, waterproof headscarves designed to meet the needs of people of colour to help them find their place in the water.

Details & Specifications 

Obe’s headscarf is waterproof and hypoallergenic (no traces of latex). Designed to behave like fabric, the headscarf is not pre-tied, allowing wearers to control the fit and comfort. Made of thin, stretchy, and durable material, this comfortable and versatile headscarf protects hair and prevents damage to the hairline. 

The brand officially launched on the 15th of July, with products available for pre-order directly from the Obé website now. The headscarf is available in black, raspberry or mocha and has two shape options to suit the wearer’s personal style preferences:

• The NEMES is designed in a triangular, mountain-shaped that can be tied as a head wrap to achieve a stylish turban look. This is better suited to more above-the-water activities that do not require prolonged periods underwater.
• The PHAROAH is designed in an arch shape, featuring wings that better secure the hairline for above and below-the-water activities where you fully submerge for longer periods.

Danielle Obe, Founder of Obé, comments: “There are many barriers to people with textured hair participating in aquatics. Organisations such as the BSA are working hard to make swimming more accessible for all. But, there is one specific obstacle that Obé aims to tackle. A big barrier that impacts me, my daughter, and many others I have found on this journey… our hair.” 

“Being able to swim, and having water safety knowledge are more than just life skills, they are basic human rights. At Obé, we believe in empowering communities and creating opportunities to embrace being in, on, or around water. Without fear, without upset, without worry, just rejuvenated peace. Through Obé, we want to give others the courage to find their place in the water.”

By Simona Paganetto, Founder of I’m Plastic Free

How I’m Plastic Free was born

In 2013 Simona Paganetto left a promising career in the global MedTech industry to migrate to Australia and join her husband. She was living in the Whitsundays in Airlie Beach, Queensland, and volunteering for beach clean-ups for a local environmental organisation called Eco Barge Clean Seas in 2014 when she witnessed first-hand the huge amount of plastic in our oceans and its impact on marine life. Before that, she thought this problem was mainly confined to developing countries that didn’t have a solid waste management system, but after doing some research she quickly realised that it was a problem of the whole world at a time when there wasn’t much publicity in the mainstream media. So, she decided to do something about it… and a few years, a child, and a relocation later (the family moved from Queensland to the Northern Territory), she finally founded I’m Plastic Free in 2018.

It hasn’t all been “smooth sailing” … 

It hasn’t all been “smooth sailing” for Simona, however. Initially, she started her social enterprise by selling eco-friendly straws to the local hospitality operators but due to her regional location, she couldn’t compete with larger companies and warehouses around the country that delivered similar products to Darwin. So, she had the idea of developing a 3^rd party vendor e-commerce marketplace connecting eco-conscious consumers to sustainable vendors, like a mini-Etsy or eBay for plastic-free & recycled products only. However, the timing wasn’t in her favour as she launched it in the middle of a global pandemic, plus there were challenges again around the logistics side of the start-up.

A story of resilience: re-launching as a “matchmaking” platform

Simona was nearly about to give up on her vision, when she met a web expert who advised her to pivot the site into an educational & information hub focused on solutions and linked to the affiliate marketing business model. So, I’m Plastic Free was re-born in 2022.

Today, I’m Plastic Free is a “matchmaking” digital platform for plastic waste reduction. It connects eco- and health-conscious consumers with plastic alternatives. In fact, it provides the easiest and fastest way to find such solutions.

Whether it’s bedding made of organic natural fibres, non-toxic cookware, refillable soap, or compostable underwear, the platform makes it easy to choose sustainable options:

• Discover innovative ways to reduce plastic waste.
• Find plastic-free alternatives made from regenerative materials.
• Reduce micro-plastic exposure risks.
• Stay informed about industry changes and developments.
• Connect with eco-conscious brands making a difference.

Over 100 blog articles have been published on the platform, all research-based and linked to studies published in peer-reviewed journals, particularly articles related to microplastics and human health.

The platform reaches a global audience, currently serving 312,000 organic users and generating close to half a million organic page views annually, with rapid growth continuing.

So, what are “solutions to plastic pollution”?

Most people don’t know that there are common household consumer products like dishwashing powder or laundry tablets that only need warm water to be activated.

Or beauty products like face cleansers in powder form, which again, only need water to be activated.

Such products are solutions to plastic pollution for many reasons:

1. They are low carbon, as they have very little weight which plays a role during transportation, as water makes up 90% of cleaning products, as an example.
2. The products contain only natural clean ingredients, so they’re non-toxic.
3. The packaging is plastic-free as such innovative products are packaged in certified home-compostable sachets. They are refills and you keep the “forever” container, with no waste.

These are only a few examples of innovative solutions to plastic waste, but many people don’t know that they exist. Some people spend hours googling for solutions… others don’t even know where to start….

“I’m Plastic Free” solves this problem by doing the research for them, testing many products for them, and ensuring only the solutions that meet the criteria are listed and promoted.

Founded by Sabine VanderLinden, Alchemy Crew is a platform that enables disruptive leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to industralise, commercialise, and de-risk corporate venturing. With unrivalled experience in the insurance industry, the business aims to bridge the adoption gap between corporations and growth ventures using open innovation, design thinking techniques and digital ecosystems. Recognised in this year’s Most Influential CEO Awards, Sabine VanderLinden is a thought leader on a mission to revolutionise the industry through her work at Alchemy Crew Ventures.

Alchemy Crew acts as an architect, a translator and an educator to esteemed leaders and growth ventures, empowering them to unlock the full potential of open innovation and digital systems. The innovative business validates and de-risks corporate venturing activities and employs structured commercialisation frameworks to help corporations embrace state-of-the-art technologies from growth ventures. Alchemy Crew leverages its extensive global network of tech ventures, data, and AI experts to solve complex problems and turn emerging threats (cybersecurity, AI risks, environmental risks etc.) into opportunities for growth.

In the insurance and financial industries, new risks are appearing every day, resulting in significant damage to organisations. Alchemy Crew has developed Virtual Adoption Labs to provide vital expertise, assessing how these risks will affect clients’ operations and the future of their work. By implementing effective business models, Alchemy Crew can help clients to grow and scale their ventures to add measurable value to their business.

Sabine VanderLinden, CEO and Venture Partner, says, “We believe in the power of collaboration and building strong, mutually beneficial partnerships. We foster open communication, trust, and transparency in our interactions with corporate clients, startups, investors, and other stakeholders. We take full accountability for delivering on our commitments. Growth and impact are the direct results of our efforts, and we own the end-to-end process of achieving the desired outcomes for our clients and partners.”

Alchemy Crew emphasises responsible innovation and delivers solutions that address multiple current day challenges from cybersecurity and generative AI to climate change and environmental, societal, and public health risks. With its Sustainable Corporate Adoption Labs, the business helps organisations establish and foster an ecosystem-led transition to new digital operating setting or operating models that support emerging technologies. By combining the right data, AI algorithms, and APIs, companies can establish reliable digital operating environments that pave the way for sustainable long-term growth.

With over 25 years of insurance experience and gradually acquired skills in corporate innovation, venture capital, and academia, Sabine VanderLinden leverages her expertise to develop digitalisation-led growth strategies for the insurance industry. She helps seasoned players and emerging startups as well as more established players navigate digital transformation and detect new opportunities. In 2014/2015, VanderLinden was one of the few first to identify InsurTech as a growth market after discovering how financial technology innovation could shape the future of FinTech. In her multifaceted role, VanderLinden evaluates, sources, and eases engagement with promising growth ventures on a global scale. She has accelerated over 150+ ventures and facilitated numerous pilot projects between startups and financial institutions.

After completing her MBA, Sabine VanderLinden joined IBM UK in 2000, where she focused on identifying and recommending technology to overcome large organisations’ efficiencies and value creation challenges. VanderLinden then became the CEO and Managing Director of Startupbootcamp InsurTech in Europe and in Hartford Connecticut, a leading accelerator passionate about insurance innovation. In this position, she worked with over 30 corporate insurers and accelerated over 100 startup ventures.

As a thought leader, ecosystem builder, and tech ambassador, she authored and co-edited ‘The INSURTECH Book’ where she shares knowledge and best practices on insurance technology alongside other well-known experts. Building on her impressive experience, VanderLinden became the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew, where she continues to guide her team in building white label and bespoke Tech accelerators and scaleup programs while activating and amplifying each programme’s brand awareness.

Sabine VanderLinden says, “At Alchemy Crew, we foster a culture of transparency, ownership, accountability, collaboration, and inclusivity. We believe that diverse teams perform better when collaborating together, and we are committed to making Alchemy Crew an equitable and inclusive place to work. I play an active role in maintaining this culture by leading by example and ensuring that our values are reflected in all aspects of our work.  By maintaining an enjoyable and driven working environment while supporting our staff’s wellbeing, we position ourselves to deliver exceptional results for our clients and drive positive change in our industry.”

Since the pandemic, digitalisation has rapidly evolved in all business ecosystems including the insurance industry. As an Insurance and Technology Leader, Sabine VanderLinden quickly identified the need for a venture commercialisation lab to support insurers with their digital challenges. Alchemy Crew utilises new technologies, such as cloud, IoT, AI, and Generative AI, to provide clients with significant opportunities to monitor and price risks more efficiently. Leveraging her many years of expertise, VanderLinden creates digital environments that facilitate collaboration and partnership agreements between insurers and startups, advancing the adoption of innovative solutions.

The acceleration of digitalisation has opened the door to risks as more people transition to remote working and AI becomes more widely used. Alchemy Crew works with insurers to help them develop solutions to address new and changing emerging risks, turning threats into opportunities. The business is committed to helping established players and emerging tech businesses navigate the challenges of the digital age, form mutually beneficial partnerships, and implement best practices into their operations.

Additionally, Sabine VanderLinden is passionate about nurturing new female talent and the next generation of diverse InsurTech leaders. She says, “Through initiatives like the Startupbootcamp InsurTech accelerator, I have had the privilege of supporting and accelerating the growth of over 100 startup ventures, 20% of these were female founded startups. I continue on that path. We have scouted over 55,000 over the past years and accelerated another 50 growth ventures over the past four years.  And seeing these founders succeed and drive innovation in the industry has been immensely rewarding.”

Looking to the future, Alchemy Crew has plans to enhance its acceleration as a service model to help existing players build more effective startups and scaleup adoption programs. Each program is tailored to suit the local market, the partners involved with the programme, and the companies’ stage of maturity. Alchemy Crew also intends to move much of its assets online. The advancement of edtech enables the business to share expertise acquired through 25 years in the industry and 10 years developing corporate-startup growth programs.

Moving forward, Sabine VanderLinden will continue to focus on facilitating communication through digital ecosystems and helping clients overcome their digital transformation challenges leveraging corporate venturing techniques. Alchemy Crew currently works with businesses across Asia, Europe, and the USA but has plans to expand its footprint to new markets and drive innovation on a global scale. As a thought leader, VanderLinden understands the importance of remaining at the forefront of emerging technologies and will invest further in areas like AI, Big Data, IoT, Cloud, and Quantum to explore how these technologies can create value for insurers.

Furthermore, VanderLinden will continue to build on Alchemy Crew’s success by supporting new partners that reach out from institutional venture funds and corporate venture funds focused on specific themes or geographies. Within any ecosystem-led environment, these funds are vital to support the most promising startups with innovation in essential areas such as climate risk, cyber insurance, and health tech. “All those are critical to make it more affordable to address the current protection gap.”

As the business continues to grow, Sabine VanderLinden is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of diverse leaders in Alchemy Crew and the wider Insurance Technology sector. She is passionate about being a voice for the industry, acting as a tech ambassador for BigTech, medium tech and small tech to facilitate collaboration between large incumbent corporations and growth ventures. Spearheaded by VanderLinden, Alchemy Crew strives to raise awareness and educate clients on how best to use emerging technologies to add value to their businesses. For her transformation-driven thought leadership, we have bestowed on Sabine VanderLinden this year’s award for Most Influential CEO – Central London (Insurance Corporate Ventures). We cannot wait to see what the future holds for VanderLinden and Alchemy Crew on its mission to inspire technological innovation in the insurance industry.

For business enquiries, contact Sabine VanderLinden from Alchemy Crew on their website – https://alchemycrew.com/

Work is in the City of London near Lloyds on London which is where insurers are located.

Clovio’s first and most impactful marketing channel, BestReviews.net, builds a foundation of trust between brands and consumers. With a strong focus on software and online services, Best Reviews publishes high-quality, thoroughly researched review content that cuts through the noise and provides honest thoughts.

Clovio is the digital media company housing BestReviews.net, whose experts publish extensive written and video reviews of products and services. From medical alert systems to small business marketing software and VPN services, Best Reviews tests all its reviewed products rigorously, translating the team’s first-hand experiences to thorough, informed, and trustworthy content.

Founder Sander Delabie has been active in digital marketing since 2011 and boasts an impressive resume, having worked for international brands such as Samsonite and Neuhaus Chocolates. He launched BestReviews.net as the flagship part of Clovio in 2012. Clovio has since taken on full-time employees and expanded to include its own content creation studio. Under Sander’s leadership, BestReviews.net has become a fast staple of the review content space. He keenly fosters a positive relationship with users, readily accepting feedback and review suggestions, and he hopes for even more in the years to come.

While BestReviews.net makes marketing efforts of its own, a favourable review is itself an opportunity for a brand or product to connect with audiences. The company takes its role seriously in maintaining the positive online presence of exceptional brands, products, and services. In confusing or oversaturated markets, Best Reviews guides discerning customers to make worthwhile purchases which suit their needs.

Best Reviews understands that a well-reviewed brand will outperform others, attracting greater traffic, sales, and customer loyalty. The company prides itself in playing a part to inform the relationship between consumers and brands, always doing so with integrity and the utmost due diligence.

With quality in mind, the company carefully selects which products and services to review. Either a company will contact the team to request a review, or the team will make a request to companies it takes a particular interest in. BestReviews.net attracts tremendous interest by maintaining an honest reputation, earning the respect of companies and users alike.

Once selected, the team at Best Reviews applies its “learning by doing” philosophy to test products, playing with functions, and exploring every nook of a product, website, or app, even testing factors beyond its basic usage like the company’s customer support availability and helpfulness. BestReviews.net is all about figuring out a product’s ins-and-outs to offer truly holistic opinions.

As a tech-oriented company, Best Reviews is set to embrace emerging technologies in its future. While the company is proud to publish entirely manmade content, it will continue to leverage AI tools to enhance its workflow and intends to publish reviews for a broader suite of AI programmes. At present, Best Reviews is covering AI-based products such as photo editors, video editing tools, marketing software, and more.

“Best Reviews wants to be a knowledgeable authority that guides users towards the best AI solutions for their personal or business lives.”

As well as adapting to new technological landscapes, BestReviews.net looks forward to expansion and reviewing new product markets, and it intends to grow its already vast reach by translating its content into other languages. Users can expect a much sleeker user experience and an ever-broader range of review content going forward.

As Clovia takes Best Reviews into the future, it hopes to form an even stronger relationships with both readers and companies. As a remote-first business with a dedicated staff base, its team stands as a shining example of how written and video review content is done, and even how to have fun in the process! The team is excited to be a part of Best Reviews and excelling it in years to come.

For business enquiries, contact Sander Delabie from Clovio on their website – www.clovio.com