Valentina Primo
2025-2026 Columbia University Scholar
Argentina & Italy
Founder and CEO, Startups Without Borders
Empowering refugees and migrants to be agents of innovation through entrepreneurial training and support
Valentina Primo is the founder and CEO of Startups Without Borders, which activates entrepreneurship ecosystems for refugees, migrants, and local communities in 15 countries across the MENA region and Europe. They aim to empower these communities through a three-pronged approach: entrepreneurship programs for capacity building and upskilling, curated events to catalyze network connections, and media platforms to change the narrative on migration. To date, Startups Without Borders has built a robust ecosystem with 20,000 entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors. By partnering with 400 organizations from the private, nonprofit, and public sectors, they have trained 7,800 entrepreneurs who have collectively created over 40,000 jobs. Its flagship event, the Startups Without Borders Summit, is now one of the largest startup events in North Africa. Through the Scholars program, Valentina hopes to expand the organization's impact by building a holistic approach to address funding needs, promote long-term entrepreneurial growth, and accelerate citizenship rights for migrant and refugee communities.
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More About the Scholars Program
More About the Scholars Program
The Obama Foundation Scholars program gives rising leaders from around the world who are already making a difference in their communities the opportunity to take their work to the next level.
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