Sara Wahedi

Sara Wahedi is an Afghan-Canadian entrepreneur.[1] She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ehtesab, a civic technology startup in Kabul, Afghanistan.[2][3]

Sara Wahedi
Born
Sara Wahedi
NationalityAfghan-Canadian
EducationColumbia University
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur, Businesswoman

Biography

Wahedi was born in Kabul. Wahedi and her family emigrated from Kabul and settled in Canada in 2005.[4] Wahedi founded Ehtesab in 2018.[5][6] She started the company with $2,500 of her own savings and later attracted investment from a New York-based tech design entrepreneur, and Netlinks, one of Afghanistan's largest IT companies, which contributed an additional $40,000.[2] Ehtesab enables its users to report on local incidents, establishing it as Afghanistan's first citizen engagement platform.[7] It provides real-time security alerts and updates in three languages.[5] The app combats misinformation by providing real-time updates on Kabul's security, energy, and traffic situations.[8] In 2021, it proved especially valuable to residents during the bombings, roadblocks, and attacks that occurred as the Taliban regained control. At that time, the company employed 20 people.[9] The app is developing covert platforms to enable women to discreetly access healthcare, education, and employment services, thereby bypassing Taliban surveillance.[7][10]

In 2024, Wahedi earned a bachelor's degree in urban studies with a concentration in architecture from Columbia University.[11]

Accolades
  • Wahedi was recognized as one of TIME Magazine's Next Generation Leaders in 2021.[12]
  • Wahedi has been named as Clarendon Scholar in 2024.[13]
  • She was listed among MIT Technology Review's Innovators Under 35 in 2022.[14][15]
  • In 2023, she was awarded as Entrepreneur of the Year by One Young World.[11][16]
  • Wahedi was included in Top 100 inspiring and influential women by BBC in 2021.[12]
  • In 2023, she was named to Forbes "30 Under 30" list for Social Impact.[17]
  • In 2023, she was inducted into GS Honor Society.[18]

References
  1. Murgia, Madhumita (August 22, 2021). "Homegrown app helping Kabul residents steer clear of danger". Financial Times. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  2. "Afghan-Canadian entrepreneur's new mobile app helps keep civilians updated on nearby security issues". The Globe and Mail. August 24, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  3. Parkin, Benjamin; Manson, Katrina; Kazmin, Amy (August 14, 2021). "US sends more troops as Kabul braces for Taliban onslaught". Financial Times. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  4. "Q&A: Afghan Tech CEO Sara Wahedi". New York City News Service. May 26, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  5. Duffy, Kate. "The founder of a Kabul-based startup says she deleted details of her female staff to protect them as the Taliban neared the city". Business Insider. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  6. Sengupta, Trisha (September 24, 2023). "Entrepreneur shares pic of Kabul's women-run eatery before Taliban takeover". Hindustan Times.
  7. Fair, Vanity (January 23, 2024). "A Brave New World". Vanity Fair. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  8. "Refugee advocate develops app to bring real-time protection to people in Afghanistan". www.unrefugees.org. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  9. Mansoor, Sanya (October 13, 2021). "This Tech CEO Helps Fellow Afghans Feel Safer Every Day". TIME. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  10. "Fear over dystopian change to nation's shop windows: 'Erasing women'". Yahoo News. January 22, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  11. "Sara Wahedi". interview-her.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  12. "BBC 100 Women 2021: Who is on the list this year?". December 7, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  13. "Sara Wahedi GS'24 named Clarendon Scholar | Undergraduate Research and Fellowships". urf.columbia.edu. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  14. "Sara Wahedi". Forbes. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  15. "Sara Wahedi". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  16. "Introducing the Winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 supported by TFG Asset Management | One Young World". www.oneyoungworld.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  17. "Forbes 30 Under 30 2023: Social Impact". Forbes. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  18. "76 Students Inducted into the GS Honor Society". urf.columbia.edu. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
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