Stepping Out With The Women of IA

Celebrating Women Leading Global Innovation: IA at the 2025 Star Awards Gala

The International Accelerator and IA Global Ventures were honored to sponsor the Austin Business Woman 2025 Star Awards Gala, celebrating the trailblazers shaping the future of business in Central Texas and beyond. Our heartfelt thanks to Vidya Moorthy—whose leadership, warmth, and dynamic presence made her the standout voice of the evening—for encouraging our involvement and championing women entrepreneurs with such passion.

As we approach the close of 2025, the global startup ecosystem is undergoing a profound transformation—one powered by the vision, resilience, and influence of women founders. For nearly 15 years, the International Accelerator welcomed only two female-led startups into its program. This year alone, over half of the companies joining IA are founded by women. This is not a symbolic milestone—it represents real, measurable progress toward a more inclusive innovation economy.

From North Macedonia to Brazil, India to Greece, women founders within the IA portfolio are reshaping industries, building globally scalable companies, and creating meaningful economic and social outcomes. Their ventures span climate intelligence, AI-driven consumer platforms, fashion innovation, digital learning, and event technology—each bringing new perspectives and unlocking new possibilities.

Meet the Women Leading IA’s Global Momentum

These exceptional leaders aren’t simply growing companies in Austin—they are changing what’s possible for women in technology, inspiring the next generation of founders around the world:

Sarah Graham (USA) — Creative Director, International Accelerator

Feli Oikonomopoulou (Greece) — Founder & CEO, WealthMeUp

Ida Sami, PhD (Iran) — Founder & CEO, LamaTerra Inc.

Vinoothna Reddy (India) — CPO, Picktime

Sofija Atanasova (North Macedonia) — Founder & CEO, WICE

Nina Levic (North Macedonia) — Co-Founder & CEO, Brummell

Avni Trivedi (India) — Founder & CEO, MASK NextGen

Manuela Seve (Brazil) — Founder & CEO, Sponstar

Each embodies the spirit of global entrepreneurship—fearless, inventive, and driven to build solutions that matter.

A Turning Point for Women in Innovation

Our mission has always been to accelerate international founders in the United States, but the future we’re building is becoming unmistakably female-powered. This shift did not happen by accident—it is the result of bold founders pursuing opportunity, investors backing female-driven innovation, and ecosystems that refuse to leave talent behind.

We are committed to ensuring this momentum doesn’t fade—it scales.

To all women founders: keep challenging the narrative. Keep building. Keep leading. The world needs what you’re creating.