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On a limited budget, Zhenni built a global team by recruiting top talent from local universities and partnering with nonprofits aiding talented immigrants. In two years, she trained 30 interns, with 18 landing roles at startups, VCs, and corporations like Pale Blue Dot, Accelerace, Sony, Lynk & Co, and Volvo Group. Additionally, she secured funding for 3 full-time positions. Sharing these stories aims to spotlight global talent's potential and encourage their broader support in the industry.
I have always had a passion for innovation and wanted to do something new in the field of mental health care. I am very passionate about developing a treatment alternative for people who don't react well to psychiatric medication.

What's your story before Skåne Startups?

After completing my MSc in Clinical and Health Psychology, I worked with NGOs in Hungary to help people hit by natural disasters and industrial catastrophes. With my amazing colleagues, we founded the Disaster Management Division of the Hungarian Psychological Association.

After a while, I felt the need for a big change and moved to the UK. I ended up working in mental health research in London where I met the love of my life. This guy happened to be Swedish so soon after our son was born, we moved to Skåne. The pandemic had just started and we all ended up a bit isolated. It was pretty good because it allowed me to reflect on what I wanted to do with my life as a mom as well as a professional.

I have always had a passion for innovation and wanted to do something new in the field of mental health care. I was lucky enough to be excepted to the Entrepreneurship and Innovation MSc at Lund University where I studied exactly what I was curious about: how innovation can be implemented in practice. That is where I met Skåne Startups.

What was your role at Skåne Startups?

At Skåne startups I tried to share some of my knowledge about business development with entrepreneurs who were just getting started as well as helping them get in touch with investors. I was also Head of the Women in Entrepreneurship Project and I organized weekly meetup for female founders in Skåne Region. The largest event I organized was March 8th Women's Day in collaboration with MINC, ALMI and UNOPS. We brought over 100 female founders in one place and discussed interesting topics on venture capital, growth and gender equality.

Katalin Vikuk, previous Head of Women in Entrepreneurship (3rd person from the leftt)

What did you enjoy the most at Skåne Startups?

I enjoyed our Women in Entrepreneruship Wednesday meet-ups where we gathered in small groups to discuss issues female entrepreneurs face and gave each other tips on overcoming them and growing. I also learned valuable lessons about fundraising and starting a business.

Katalin Vikuk (left) was interviewing Tiffany Boswell (right)

Can you tell us about your current work?

Right now I work in mental health tech for a company called Heka VR, in Denmark. We develop a virtual reality tool to treat different mental illnesses. I am very excited about this as I feel like I found my turf in the career jungle. I am doing exactly what I am passionate about: bringing innovation to the mental health care sector.

What is your advice for other talents?

Do not underestimate the power of networking.

Something you are unreasonably passionate about?

My current job. I am very passionate about developing a treatment alternative for people who don't react well to psychiatric medication.

The story above is updated on November 2022. You can learn more and reach out via LinkedIn.
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