Promoting entrepreneurship is at the forefront of the United States’ global engagement and economic policy priorities. The White House-led Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), an annual gathering of entrepreneurs and investors from around the world, is a visible symbol of this important work. The United States and India will co-host the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Hyderabad on November 28-30, 2017; together we will focus on the theme: “Women First, Prosperity for All.”
GES is the preeminent annual entrepreneurship gathering that convenes emerging entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem supporters from around the world. Through two and half days of education, networking, and investment matchmaking, participants from around the world will create new collaborations and launch new initiatives while also reducing barriers inhibiting international growth and innovation.
The robust schedule of events and opportunities at this year’s GES are particularly relevant to the Polish entrepreneurship environment, as well. The U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Poland is committed to strengthening U.S.- Polish connections, knowledge, experience, best practices, and investment opportunities wherever possible – especially to help advance women in cutting-edge tech-based entrepreneurship.
This year, two talented female Polish participants will take part at the Summit, supported by U.S. Embassy Warsaw and the State Department: Katarzyna Dorsey and Ela Raczkowska
Katarzyna Dorsey is passionate about new technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, and how the two are changing our world. Currently completing her PhD in Management of New Technologies, she is researching efficient ways to develop personalization in marketing through the use of these new tools.
After gaining years of experience in marketing on international markets in The Coca-Cola Company, than as a co-founder and CEO of Yosh.pl fashion e-commerce platform, currently she is focusing on implementing Artificial Intelligence for new ways of marketing fashion e-commerce global market. Her start-up, Yosh.AI is developing a personal shopping assistant based on users’ preferences, not only making shopping more enjoyable, but also serving as an style advisor, making the whole shopping experience more engaging through interaction with the Assistant. This innovative startup, with the support of Google Campus, the global acceleration program Blackbox powered by Google for Entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley, a grant from Google Cloud for Startups, and an EU grant, aims to deliver a new solution for global retailers.
Kasia is very active in sharing her experience through mentoring startups in Poland, European countries in Google Launchpad, and San Francisco. She actively supports the U.S. Government program TechCamp. She also mentors women including through Vital Voices, Women Entrepreneurs Network, workshops for companies regarding women’s empowerment and leadership. She has spoken at many conferences including the Google Developer Days Europe Women’s Roundtable, Belgrade Venture Forum, Digital Rocket Conference. She is currently a delegate to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 in Hyderabad, India organized by the U.S. Government.
Ela Raczkowska, CEO of Vital Voices Chapter Poland – Senior manager for over 20 years, with extensive experience managing various areas of business operations in Poland/CEE region, both in global organizations and in public administration.
Ela was involved in developing the Polish subsidiary of one of the largest providers of information technology services to the financial sector, the American corporation Fiserv and was responsible for its conversion into a Polish subsidiary in 2000. From 2000- 2014, she was responsible for Polish Operations for HR, Finance, Legal, Procurement, Business Continuity and Compliance, and business development of the organization in CEE region.
Ela started her career in the Prime Minister’s cabinet office, where from 1993 to1996, she was responsible for coordinating inter-departamental teams developing projects for the Council of Ministers as well as maintaining contacts with local and regional authorities in Poland.
She began informally cooperating with Vital Voices in 2011, whereshe was able to observe how critical mentors and mentoring are to help younger woman maximize their personal and business development. In September 2014 she was appointed to the position of Vital Voices Development and Engagement Director, responsible for developing new business partners and promoting activities in Poland.
She is a Graduate of the Mediterranean Archaeology at the Warsaw University (MA), and also holds an MBA in General Management from Warsaw University as well as post diploma study in Executive Personnel Management from Koźmiński Academy in Warsaw.
Ela’s motto is: „There are no impossible things in life; everything depends on people” and believes that the greatest satisfaction we can achieve by helping others.
