In celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week, GEN is collaborating with FedEx and Vital Voices to spotlight founders making a difference and initiatives available to support them around the world. The Vital Voices Global Fellowship is one of these programs. Together, we are proud to share the stories of three exceptional entrepreneurs taking part in this program that brings together women leaders across two pillars – social entrepreneurship and public leadership to build skills and capacity, foster a collaborative network, and exchange ideas.
This article was contributed by Vital Voices for Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Aeronero Founder Durga Das is Revolutionizing the Water Industry
Durga Das is an extraordinary entrepreneur and former professional sportswoman. From representing India in cricket to captaining the United States cricket team and later pursuing a career in professional golf, Durga's early sporting experiences laid the foundation for her resilience and leadership. Her entrepreneurial spirit emerged at the age of 14, compelled by family circumstances that led her to venture into business. Despite facing several challenges, Durga's determination led her to a long career marked by continuous growth. Her commitment to learning brought her to the 10,000 Women program, a transformative experience that not only validated her instincts but also provided crucial insights for her as the founder of Aeronero.
In her role at Aeronero, Durga is at the forefront of revolutionizing the water industry through innovative air water generation (AWG) solutions. Aeronero's ground-breaking technology harnesses the humidity in the air, converting it into clean water. Durga's dedication to addressing the global water crisis is evident not only in Aeronero's commercial success but also in her philanthropic initiatives. Beyond serving commercial clients, Aeronero actively engages in charitable efforts. Durga established the charity WODER in the United Kingdom, collaborating with influential figures like Amir Alkayed and Mansee Bal Bhargava to address water scarcity in refugee camps and promote water independence for women. Durga's strategic vision spans the globe, with operations from India to the Americas, underscoring the urgency of tackling water challenges on an international scale. As she navigates the challenges of scaling Aeronero, Durga remains a trailblazer, embodying the spirit of entrepreneurship and social responsibility.
Through the work that Aeronero does, it also enables United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure,10: Reduced Inequalities, 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, 13: Climate Action, 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Durga is an advisor on the Women's Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI) platform under Water - Industry, a Joint Secretary of Asian African Chamber of Commerce, and advisor to the World Talent Economic Forum which is a team of International Experts for Research Enrichment and Knowledge Exchange. Durga has more than 30 years of experience in the critical early stages of start-ups – with skilled emphasis on creation, management, business development, marketing, and sales. She has mentored and invested in several start-ups and shares her insights and experiences on several platforms to guide new age entrepreneurs in their vision and growth.
Aeronero's Impact to Date:
- 270+ Solutions Delivered: Aeronero has successfully deployed over 200 innovative water solutions, transforming access to clean water in diverse communities and environments.
- 4 Million Lives Impacted: Their solutions have directly improved the lives of 4 million people, providing safe and reliable access to water and enhancing health and wellbeing across communities.
- 12 Million Liters of Water Generated: Through their technology, they have produced 12 million liters of fresh, potable water, offering a sustainable water source in areas with limited access to traditional supplies.
- 50 Million Liters of Water Saved: Their initiatives have helped conserve 50 million liters of water, contributing to global water preservation efforts and promoting more efficient water usage.
Recently Durga won the " Best Innovator " award at the HIEx platform at the World Health Assembly held in Geneva in May 2024, in addition to winning a woman leadership award in Delhi in 2024 from Ms Kiran Bedi. Aeronero’s inclusion in the 2024 MB100 global awards list by Meaningful Business highlights their vision for water security and their dedication to reducing inequality. This prestigious recognition provides access to a valuable network, investment prospects, capacity-building resources, and pro-bono services from partners like EY Global, Hogan Lovells, Babson College, Green Frontier Capital, Kenya Climate Ventures, and Innovision. Being acknowledged by the Meaningful Business community validates Aeronero’s mission to change the world, one clean sip at a time. Durga has also partnered with Mauro Pantaleo of BioVitae, their exclusive technology partner for LED-based sterilization. This advanced technology, integrated into Aeronero’s latest machines, ensures superior hygiene standards. BioVitae’s innovative LED lighting technology targets and neutralizes harmful microorganisms, creating safer, healthier environments by leveraging specific light frequencies to eliminate viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Overall, Durga and Aeronero’s commitment remains steadfast to their vision of “Water for all, always.”
Durga is honored to be part of the Vital Voices Global Fellowship program as a VV Venture Fellow, a transformative platform dedicated to empowering and supporting women social entrepreneurs. Durga believes that the VV Venture program is not just a mentor; it’s a lifelong partner, supporting participants not only during the program but throughout their journey of making meaningful, sustainable impact. Her aspiration is to harness Vital Voices’ support to enhance the outreach and effectiveness of her for-profit social enterprise, reaching communities in need and deepening their social impact. She views Vital Voices’ extensive reach and expertise as having the potential to amplify solutions worldwide, including in regions like Africa and areas affected by disasters where water security is critical. Through her participation in VV Venture, she aims to advance not only her enterprise’s mission but also contribute to global efforts in livelihoods and women’s empowerment.
Translating her learnings from VV Venture into actionable impact, she has designed a program called Windependence. This initiative empowers women—historically the stewards of water across all social and economic backgrounds—by enabling them to produce and distribute alkaline, healthful water. By creating a source of income and fostering independence, Windependence supports water security, enabling women to nourish both their families and their communities. Through this initiative, they aim to build a resilient, self-sustaining network that transforms water into a tool for both economic and social empowerment.
Pauline Otila is Empowering Women + Fostering Entrepreneurship Across East Africa
Pauline Otila is a dedicated social entrepreneur, and the founder and managing director of Apiculture Venture Limited, a key player in the honey value chain in Kenya. Pauline’s background spans over two decades in the beekeeping industry, starting as an employee for 15 years before establishing Apiculture Venture in 2018. Her journey into the world of business started with a dream to revolutionize the beekeeping industry and empower women in economically marginalized communities. Specifically, she wanted to create a market for beehive products; honey, beeswax, bee venom, pollen, and royal jelly, the greatest challenge smallholder beekeepers face. She has grown Apiculture Venture into a one-stop beekeeping solutions provider, and one of the leading companies in the Kenyan beekeeping industry.
Apiculture Venture focuses on the manufacture and supply of modern beehives, the supply of modern beekeeping equipment and accessories, apiary site survey, setup and management, honey and hive products harvesting and extraction, honey processing and packaging, pollination services, sustainable modern beekeeping consultancy, and training. Their natural raw and value-added products are available in the market under the brand Golden Bee Hive Products. Apiculture Venture has not only grown as a business but also made significant strides in social impact. Through their “Inspiring New Generation” initiative, they encourage youth to adopt agribusiness as an alternative career option. Their “Promoting Sustainable Modern Beekeeping for Improved Beekeeper’s Livelihood” initiative promotes sustainable beekeeping practices, especially in the marginalized Arid and Semi-Arid regions in Kenya.
Through Apiculture Venture’s initiatives, Pauline addresses multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 13: Climate Action. Their programs provide training, technical support, and guaranteed market access for small-scale beekeeping farmers, empowering them to transition from traditional to sustainable modern practices that maximize yield, minimize environmental harm, and improve livelihoods. In addition, Apiculture Venture promotes sustainable agriculture practices that reduce the use of harmful chemicals, supports biodiversity through bee conservation, and champions financial independence for women and youth in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) regions. Looking ahead, Pauline envisions expanding Apiculture Venture’s footprint across East Africa, enhancing food security, and creating new income generating opportunities for underserved populations through innovative beekeeping products.
Pauline is a graduate of, and current mentor at, the U.S-led initiative, the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE). She is a mentee of the 2022/23 UNFAO Accelerator Mentorship Programme for Women-led SMEs. She has also been recognized as The Most Inspirational Food Poverty Prevention Businesswoman 2024 (East Africa) by MEA Markets. Additionally, she participated in the 2023 NextGen TechCamp Nairobi organized by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the U.S. Department of State. She holds a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management Degree from Daystar University and a bachelor's degree in commerce.
Throughout Pauline’s career, she has been honored with several notable recognitions. In 2022, she was awarded the USADF-Stanbic Foundation Grant of $50,000, enabling Apiculture Venture to expand its honey processing line and support more women and youth through its beekeeping programs. Pauline is also a 2023 finalist in the Top 50 African Business Heroes program, selected from over 27,000 applicants, and was among the top 25 global finalists in the WE Empower UN SDG Challenge, representing Sub-Saharan Africa as one of five incredible entrepreneurs advancing the SDGs. Following the successful implementation of the first grant, she has been awarded the USADF capacity building grant of $100,000. In addition, Pauline has collaborated with impactful organizations like E4Impact, Church World Service, and the Kenya Climate Innovation Center, where she has championed sustainable beekeeping practices and engaged communities in ASAL regions. She is a current member of the Buy Kenya Build Kenya Committee and the Apiculture Platform of Kenya, where she actively advocates for industry standards and sustainable practices.
In 2024, Pauline applied for the Vital Voices Global Fellowship Program and was competitively selected to join the program to deepen her expertise, connect with like-minded women leaders, and gain insights into global best practices in social entrepreneurship. Her decision to participate in the Vital Voices Global Fellowship program as a VV Venture Fellow stems from her dedication to fostering resilient, women-led communities capable of tackling the world’s most pressing issues, from climate change to economic inequality. Through this Fellowship, Pauline has gained mentorship in strategic planning, communication, and public leadership. She believes that learning from other entrepreneurs and changemakers will help her scale Apiculture Venture’s initiatives and develop impactful programs that address the unique challenges women in marginalized communities face.
Pauline’s goal is to leverage the Vital Voices Global Fellowship as a platform for both personal and professional growth. By building skills in leadership and sector-specific knowledge, she intends to strengthen Apiculture Venture’s social impact, while also creating collaborative networks with other leaders who share a commitment to social progress and gender equality. As a VV Venture Fellow, Pauline plans to implement key learnings in her community to drive sustainable development, economic empowerment, and environmental conservation. Upon the end of the program, she will launch enhanced training programs targeting women and youth beekeepers and focusing on innovative, climate-resilient beekeeping practices and community-led conservation strategies. These programs aim to educate women and youth on modern beekeeping techniques that increase honey yields, reduce environmental degradation, and improve food security. Pauline also envisions expanding Apiculture Venture’s mentorship programs to connect budding entrepreneurs with established beekeepers, fostering a support network that encourages knowledge exchange and business growth. Additionally, she plans to enhance Apiculture Venture’s community engagement efforts, promoting cross-cultural and inter-religious harmony among participating communities in the Arid and semi-arid lands. Her vision includes creating lasting partnerships with local NGOs, private sector entities, and government bodies to sustain and expand her impact on a larger scale.
Pauline’s dedication to empowering women, fostering entrepreneurship, and conserving the environment has made her an inspiring leader in her field. Through her participation in the Vital Voices Global Fellowship as a VV Venture Fellow, she aspires to refine her skills and strengthen her impact, advancing her mission to create sustainable livelihoods, promote environmental stewardship, and inspire future generations of socially responsible entrepreneurs. For the six years of operations, Apiculture Venture initiatives have directly impacted the lives of over 3,412 small-scale beekeeping farmer’s households.
Somos Martina Founder Juliana Villegas is Transforming Women’s Health Across Latin America
Juliana Villegas is the founder of Somos Martina, a socially driven enterprise dedicated to transforming women's health and achieving menstrual equity in Colombia and Latin America, with aspirations to expand into the USA. Somos Martina offers sustainable, high-quality underwear for periods, incontinence, and postpartum, designed to replace traditional, environmentally harmful, single-use products. With a background in Cultural Studies and a Masters in Global Fashion Management, she combines her expertise in fashion and business to address the significant gap in access to dignified hygiene products. Juliana has received numerous accolades for her remarkable work, including being featured at Bogotá Fashion Week (BFW) for three consecutive years: 2023, 2024, and 2025. Her innovative designs and commitment to sustainability have truly set her apart as she was recognized at the Women Economic Forum as the 2023 Iconic Company. Furthermore, she was honored with the Mujeres Cambiando la Moda award from Banco de Bogotá, recognizing her as a transformative force in the fashion industry with the support of the bank.
The inspiration behind Somos Martina came from witnessing the silent struggles of countless women who miss school or work due to a lack of access to menstrual products. Somos Martina’s unique approach involves direct community engagement, working closely with girls and women to sew their own reusable pads. This fosters a model that can be passed down through generations to combat menstrual poverty. Somos Martina supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. They are committed to achieving menstrual equity, ensuring menstrual health is recognized as a fundamental right, not a privilege. Somos Martina’s long-term vision is to expand their impact across different markets, particularly in vulnerable communities, leveraging the power of collaboration to drive meaningful social change.
Juliana decided to participate in the Vital Voices Global Fellowship program as a VV Venture Fellow to gain valuable insights and skills that would help her scale Somos Martina's impact and reach. The program offers a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and mentors who share a passion for social change. Through this experience, she hopes to refine her business strategies and expand its network, enhancing the business’ ability to drive positive social and environmental impact alongside new allies.
Through the knowledge and skills acquired as a VV Venture Fellow, Juliana plans to deepen Somos Martina's impact in her community by expanding their workshops. Somos Martina, has already reached 3,050 girls and women across six territories in Colombia, as well as internationally in Lebanon. This impact has been made possible through workshops on reusable towel making, along with sexual and menstrual education sessions.
Juliana also aims for Somos Martina to:
- Scale Workshops: Juliana plans to expand Somos Martina’s workshops to additional communities within Colombia and internationally. By leveraging the network and resources gained through the Fellowship, Juliana aims to double Somos Martina’s reach in the coming year, working with more women and girls to develop essential skills and knowledge.
- Community Engagement: Utilizing the leadership and community engagement strategies learned during the Fellowship, Juliana will strengthen Somos Martina’s partnerships with local organizations and community leaders. This will ensure that the business’ initiatives are culturally sensitive and effectively meet the unique needs of each community.
- Sustainable Practices: The Vital Voices Global Fellowship emphasized the importance of sustainability, and Juliana will incorporate these principles into Somos Martina by sourcing new certifications, allies, and promoting local economies.
- Educational Expansion: Juliana plans to broaden the educational scope of Somos Martina’s workshops to include comprehensive health education, focusing on both physical and mental well-being. This holistic approach aims to empower women and girls to make informed decisions about their health and futures.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Implementing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks, as learned in the Vital Voices Global Fellowship, will allow Juliana to measure the impact of her business’ initiatives effectively. This data-driven approach will enable her business to refine their programs and ensure that they are making a tangible difference in participants’ lives.
Through these actions, Juliana aims to create a lasting positive impact on the communities her business serves, fostering menstrual equity and education for women and girls.
To learn more about the Vital Voices Global Fellowship please visit, https://www.vitalvoices.org/program/vital-voices-global-fellowship-soical-entrepreneur/.