THREE INNOVATORS, ONE VISION: TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS
Today, we are spotlighting three extraordinary innovators from our GSA Star Network: PayByBit’s Kiarash Vahedi and Forough Firouzi, Developers in Vogue, and MyJobs’ Mya Thandar.
Kiarash Vahedi and Forough Firouzi , PayByBit (Regional Winner 2024, Middle East)
A POWER COUPLE TRANSFORMING DUBAI’S FINTECH FRONTIER
There’s something magnetic about a husband-and-wife team who choose to build a business together—particularly one that dares to redefine how digital assets traverse our financial landscapes. Step into the world of PayByBit, where two visionary minds, Kiarash Vahedi and his wife, Forough Firouzi, have woven their shared ambitions into a forward-leaning platform that mirrors Dubai’s spirit. Here, in one of the world’s fastest-rising hubs for fintech innovation, the duo is proving that a family partnership can be as strong and dynamic as the technology shaping our future.
In a marketplace crowded with new payment solutions, PayByBit stands out not just because it’s reimagining cryptocurrency transactions, but because at its core is a vibrant synergy of two people who know each other’s strengths as intimately as their personal stories. It’s a synergy that blends strategic thinking, relentless curiosity, and unwavering trust—qualities that become exponentially more powerful when drawn from a strong personal bond.
Both co-founders bring distinct yet complementary experiences to the table. One is adept at identifying gaps in the financial ecosystem, astutely envisioning how to simplify cross-border crypto payments. The other is gifted at translating these big-picture strategies into a tangible experience that users can appreciate. Together, they’ve nurtured a platform that navigates the complexities of digital currencies with surprising ease and confidence.
But what’s most inspiring is the manner in which they approach entrepreneurship. Here is a couple who see business not as a race to the top, but as a collaborative journey. They balance the tension between ambition and caution, speed and stability. Their unified leadership style is an object lesson in the idea that trust—between co-founders, colleagues, and customers—is a currency that can’t be easily measured, but always pays dividends.
PayByBit’s success story is still being written, and that’s part of its allure. In a rapidly shifting global economy, this couple’s determination to refine and expand their platform resonates with anyone enthralled by the promise of blockchain and digital finance. Ultimately, their legacy will not just be measured by the scale of their business or the innovations they unleash, but by how their personal partnership proves that when two minds and hearts unite under a common vision, the result can rewrite the rules of a burgeoning industry.
Rhoda Oduro, Developers in Vogue (African Continental Winner 2023, Diversity Role Model of the Year)
DEVELOPERS IN VOGUE: EMPOWERING AFRICA’S NEXT GENERATION OF WOMEN IN TECH
Imagine a room buzzing with ideas, code snippets scrolling across laptop screens, and animated conversations in multiple African languages—all underscored by a sense of bold purpose. This is the environment cultivated by Developers in Vogue, a community that transcends the traditional tech club model. Here, mentorship, innovation, and sisterhood intermingle to create a powerful launchpad for women who see technology not merely as a career path, but as a key to rewriting Africa’s story.
This Ghana-based initiative is as much about perspective as it is about proficiency. Certainly, you’ll find the practical aspects: women being trained in software development, AI, data science, and other cutting-edge specializations. There’s no shortage of technical expertise, workshop sessions, and bootcamps designed to translate ambition into tangible skill sets. But what makes Developers in Vogue truly remarkable is the conviction that tech can—and should—be a tool for real, inclusive change.
Community members are driven not only by career aspirations, but by a deep-rooted desire to serve as catalysts for societal growth. They envision a continent where women’s contributions to the digital economy are the norm, not the exception. By bringing together a cross-section of thinkers and doers, Developers in Vogue is quietly but surely altering the cultural narratives around who “belongs” in tech.
At the heart of their operation is a profound understanding of context: building tech talent pipelines requires sensitivity to educational gaps, infrastructural challenges, and cultural nuances. Instead of dwelling on these obstacles, the community innovates around them. The result? A network where learning and leadership development go hand in hand, where role models abound, and where practical industry partnerships open doors to real-world impact.
Beyond code, algorithms, and user interfaces, what emerges from this ecosystem is a deeply human story. It’s about African women reclaiming their narrative, reimagining what’s possible for themselves and their communities, and ensuring that the future of the continent’s tech landscape isn’t just built on new technologies, but on new mindsets. Developers in Vogue encapsulates a vibrant promise: that women, working together, can script a more inclusive and dynamic digital destiny for Africa—and for generations to come.
Mya Thandar, MyJobs Myanmar (Global Winner 2024, Ecosystem Hero of the Year)
MYA THANDAR: ILLUMINATING OPPORTUNITY IN MYANMAR
There are moments in the life of a nation when leadership emerges not from grand stages or well-appointed offices, but from individuals who simply refuse to accept the status quo. In Myanmar, a country that has seen the world shift beneath its feet countless times over the past few years, one such individual is Mya Thandar, the leading force behind MyJobs Myanmar.
Under Mya’s direction, MyJobs Myanmar is a dynamic ecosystem designed to nurture resilience, celebrate innovation, and expand the very definition of opportunity for those who have dared to keep dreaming in even the most uncertain times.
From day one, Mya’s mission has been fueled by empathy and purpose. As a woman entrepreneur who has felt the weight of societal expectations and the uneven playing fields women often navigate, she knew that MyJobs Myanmar couldn’t merely exist to place candidates into roles. It had to be a vehicle for transformation: lifting youth who crave both guidance and reassurance, championing women who balance their ambition with family responsibilities, and spotlighting underserved communities who possess immense potential despite limited resources.
Consider the young graduates of Myanmar, emerging from universities into a climate of political instability and economic flux. Many have seen their futures clouded by crises outside their control. Mya’s response? Build not only a jobs platform, but also career fairs, training modules, and mentorship programs that go beyond bullet points on a résumé. Under her leadership, MyJobs Myanmar hands these aspiring professionals a compass, reminding them that their worth isn’t dictated by current adversity, but defined by their capacity to learn, grow, and contribute.
Equally inspiring is the way the organization has carved out spaces for women to rise and lead. Long before the word “empowerment” became a buzzword, Mya understood that economic participation by women doesn’t just stabilize families—it can revitalize entire communities. MyJobs Myanmar’s leadership coaching, flexible work arrangements, and dedicated initiatives to break glass ceilings all point to one resounding message: women have an unshakable role in guiding Myanmar forward, and they deserve every tool and opportunity possible to excel.
But perhaps the true brilliance of Mya’s vision lies in the scope of communities MyJobs Myanmar touches. Entrepreneurs who turn obstacles into launchpads for innovation find support here—whether it’s mentorship that refines a business model or partnerships that open global markets. Individuals with disabilities, marginalized groups, and single mothers discover that their talents are not footnotes but vital chapters in the country’s unfolding story. Through collaborations with international organizations, MyJobs Myanmar brings world-class training and fresh perspectives home, ensuring no one is left behind in the march toward progress.
It’s telling that many in Myanmar now view MyJobs as more than just an online platform—it’s a beacon. In a time of upheaval, it offers stable ground; in uncertainty, it provides direction. For Mya herself, this work is deeply personal. Each success story, each new skill learned, and each barrier broken reaffirms her faith in Myanmar’s people and their capacity to overcome the unimaginable.
Myar’s approach is a reminder that meaningful change can unfold even against the bleakest backdrops. Where others might see a nation weighed down by setbacks, she sees an opportunity to ignite confidence, to equip the next generation with the right tools, and to stand firm in the belief that Myanmar’s talents are worthy of recognition on a global stage.
As this movement continues to build momentum, it’s clear that Mya’s impact will be measured not just in the number of jobs found or startups launched, but in the emergence of new role models, new networks, and new possibilities for those who refuse to surrender their dreams. In lighting the path for so many, Mya has helped Myanmar remember what it has always been at its core: a nation defined not by hardship, but by the unyielding spirit of its people.
CELEBRATING THE PROGRESS OF OUR GSA STAR NETWORK
As we continue to celebrate the achievements of our GSA Star Network, we hope to share the motivation and resilience that drive these remarkable trailblazers.
Their stories remind us that with determination and innovation, startups can create a lasting impact on the world, paving the way for future generations of entrepreneurs.