1. Home
  2. Female Leadership
  3. Summer School
  4. Valencia 2023
  5. Speakers Valencia

Aikaterini Liakopoulou

Business Coach for EU-backed Deeptech Startups

Aikaterini Liakopoulou is a seasoned technologist with a 10+ years demonstrated experience in the technology sector in Silicon Valley and in Europe and a track record in business development, operational excellence, research and development, product management and sales. 

Aikaterini holds two master's degrees in engineering, one of which focusing on disruptive clean technologies. During quarantine, she co-founded Fair AI Certified, a Brussels-based initiative for fair and principled Artificial Intelligence. In 2020 she was featured in Forbes’ Leadership column advocating for the necessity of gender diversity in the tech industry and the need for pragmatic collaboration between regulators and technologists. 

Since June 2021, Aikaterini has been appointed to be a business coach for startups funded by the European Innovation Council, Europe’s largest innovation initiative that identifies, supports, and scales up breakthrough technologies and disruptive innovations, through grant and equity investing. Aikaterini aspires to push the boundaries of technological disruption in Europe notably through the female participation.

Participating in the "Generative AI: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead" panel at the European Leadership Academy was a truly transformative experience. Meeting 29 incredible young women from diverse backgrounds was both humbling and inspiring. The Academy showed me firsthand the immense impact that can be achieved when young women are given the right opportunities and a platform to grow. I left the Academy feeling more empowered and optimistic than ever.

Maro Manoli

CEO & Co-Founder, E-mbracelet

Read more

It may sound cliché, but the best part of the European Leadership Academy were the caring and passionate people who contributed to it, after the end of the European Leadership Academy, I now feel the most confident and passionate that I have ever been. Importantly, the program was completely free of charge, as an ambitious young woman whose family has always struggled financially, the European Leadership academy was a dream come true in many ways.

Veronika Anna Denner

Student. Represented Austria at the 2024 Summer School in Warsaw

Read more

This transformative journey has prepared me for anything life may throw my way. What touched me most was the opportunity to connect with girls who, like me, share the same dreams yet are wonderfully diverse. They truly inspired me in countless ways. I learned so much about myself throughout this process; the school has impacted every facet of my identity, teaching me self-confidence and the imporance of colaborartions with others.

Lara Markelj

Student. Represented Slovenia at the 2024 Summer School in Warsaw

Read more

I knew that the Summer School for Female Leadership in the Digital Age was going to be an incredible experience but I didn't expect it to be life-changing! With a jam-packed week full of both interesting and challenging discussions, panels, masterclasses & workshops, I left each day feeling inspired and invigorated. I would encourage any young woman interested to apply regardless of your background and experiences - the European Leadership Academy provides an environment for all young women to thrive in.

Amy Calleja

Student. Represented Malta at the 2022 Summer School in Prague

Read more

Sisterhood, support and inspiration are just some of the aspects that we have experienced! The European Leadership Academy is an exceptional and priceless program which opened our horizons for the future. For me, one of the best characteristics of the program was its holistic approach. The range of speakers and experts was extraordinary just as their kindness and openness to answer our questions and connect with us.

Katharina Hertel

Student. Represented Germany at the 2022 Summer School in Prague

Read more