Deborah Okenla
Founder of YSYS
Deborah Okenla
Founder of YSYS
United Kingdom
Overview
Work Experience
Founder and CEO
2017 - Current
Your Startup, Your Story (YSYS) is a startup community for founders, developers, creatives, investors and more on a mission to make a difference. At YSYS, we know that amazing things can happen when people start sharing ideas and collaborating. Our community is a space for people with shared values to build relationships in marketing, technology, venture-funding and more. Together with our community, we collaborate with accelerators, incubators, venture capitalists, universities, startups, not-for profits and corporates on initiatives which foster diversity, inclusion and social change. We believe that if the startup ecosystem is truly going to change, the community must lead the change themselves. We exist to work alongside the community and for the community; to harness and accelerate their ability to thrive. Our mission is to create a diverse startup ecosystem where everyone can build together. Through our collaborative impact programmes we have provided access and opportunities for 17,000 + diverse talent in the UK tech sector from 2017 - 2020. Our goal is to reach 100,000 by 2023.
Venture Partner
2023
A community of creators and operators backing entrepreneurs in building scalable businesses for Africa and its Diaspora.
Telecoms Supply Chain Diversification Advisory Council
2021
The Telecoms Supply Chain Diversification (TSCD) Advisory Council is a non-statutory advisory committee of independent members set up to provide advice to the government. The Council’s purpose is to provide ongoing advice to the Government on telecoms diversification, and in particular to advise on the implementation of the 5G Supply Chain Diversification Strategy.
Council Member, Digital Economy Council
2021
The Digital Economy Council is a non-statutory advisory committee of independent members set up to provide advice to the government. Its purpose is to harness the expertise of industry and the wider tech community to develop a world-leading digital economy that works for everyone.
Ambassador
2021
Huckletree is the home of innovation in the UK and Ireland. Huckltree spaces, themed by industry and sector, for teams to work, collaborate and build their next venture in private offices, shared workspaces and collaboration zones. From Govtech and VC to Saas and Digital Lifestyle, everything they do is about curation - getting the right mindsets, skills and people around a particular sector under the one roof. Visit: www.huckletree.com
O Network
2021
The oNetwork is a community of highly experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders who share their expertise with Oxford Saïd students and alumni in one-to-one, small group and workshop formats. Visit: www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/research/centres-and-initiatives/entrepreneurship-centre/onetwork
Advisory Board Member
2020
The No.10 Innovation Fellowship Programme is a flagship scheme to bring top talent from the digital and tech sector into government. The initiative is aimed at harnessing cutting-edge technologies, methods, and approaches from industry, academia, and civil society and applying them to some of our toughest challenges.
Advisory Board Member
2020
Coders of Colour is not-for-profit aimed at upskilling the next generation of black people in tech. We do this through running hands-on coding workshops and by providing the young people with role models that look like them, speak like them and have similar backgrounds to them. Visit: codersofcolour.org
Angel Investor
2020
Bubble is the UK's #1 trusted family support platform and childcare app connecting parents with babysitters and nannies their friends already know, use and trust. Scouted and invested for Ada Ventures, an inclusive venture firm based in the UK.
Angel Programme 2021
2021 - 2022
Investing in early-stage startups in Europe through Atomico Angel Programme 2021.
Advisory Panel Member
2020 - 2021
AND Digital accelerates the digital capabilities of ambitious organisations by blending tech craft skills and product expertise with an award-winning approach to talent development. Visit: and.digital