Zairah Khan

Chief Executive Officer at VIVE Invest

My experience and deep interests:

• International Development

I am based in: The Hague

I am a social entrepreneur, with a background in psychology and sociology. Having worked within both non-profit and commercial companies, I gathered a broad knowledge and know-how from development aid, gender equality, media - to impact investment. I merge and explore the space between idealism and business opportunity. I have profound experience with translating new ideas into working models and functioning organizational structures.

I am motivated by bringing together people from different perspectives and creating win-win opportunities. In 2014 I launched VIVEinvest. VIVE works as a field builder in order to bridge the funding gap for women entrepreneurship. I organized ‘Bridge the Gap,’ an event to bring together financiers that aim to Bridge the (300 billion!) financing Gap for women entrepreneurs worldwide, and presented my ideas around the value of investing in women during TedXDelft.

What drives me is my strong belief that capital should be servant to human needs, including safeguarding the planet for future generations. For that to happen I think people need to be enabled to fulfill their full potential. I believe in the principle that one person can make a difference, but it takes collaboration to make a bigger difference, quicker.