Ana Sousa Geros, co-founder of DŌSOJIN

Ana Sousa Geros is a last-year DPhil student. She is also one of the two co-founders of "DŌSOJIN", a startup at the pre-seed stage. Currently, she and Zoe Christoforidou, the other co-founder, are the only two members of the team. Although they haven't started any fundraising, they are now ready to look into their first grant applications.   What is your background? What made you decide to become an entrepreneur? I have studied Chemical Engineering during my BSc and Life Sciences and Technology during my MSc. Currently, I am a DPhil student of Clinical Medicine, conducting medical-based research. I am passionate about the disruptive power of science and innovation, and love using my creativity, critical thinking, and leadership skills to design and steer my own projects. I'm a lifelong learner, constantly looking for new challenges, learning opportunities, and human connections. I have worked in diverse teams as a researcher, but also a board member of several student associations, a volunteer with the underprivileged and disabled, a care worker, and a human rights activist. Recently, I have discovered a passion for leveraging my engineering and research skills alongside my social skills to develop innovations that can truly benefit society.   What is your definition of entrepreneurship? Entrepreneurship, in my view, involves identifying a problem and working backwards towards a solution, without being constrained by existing social or operational limitations. It is defying the status quo and believing that what seems impossible can become a new normal through effort and creativity.   How and when did you know your idea was good enough to develop it? From the several mentorships and pitching for feedback opportunities we got during the Oxford Venture Builder programme.   What would you say are the top 3 skills that needed to be a successful entrepreneur? Why? Positivity, Curiosity and Kindness:
Without positivity, any innovative idea will seem out of reach, and any pitfall while implementing it will look like the end of the road. Without curiosity, there is no desire to leave the comfort zone and build something new, nor the vision to improve it.
Without kindness, there is no selfless drive to change the world, nor a network of people that can help make it happen. And no one will ever get far alone, or without a deep passion to assist society.   What is your favourite part of being an entrepreneur? Having to work on multiple different tasks, many of which fall outside my area of expertise: this involves a continuous learning process and ensures my work is far from monotonous.   What individual, company or organization inspires you most? Why? Daphne Koller - A brilliant woman scientist and entrepreneur, who devotes her life/career to improving different societal issues, such as education and health.   If you had 5 minutes with the above individual/ company/organization, what would you want to ask or discuss? I would ask her for some tips on how to globally promote valuable social solutions for problems that disproportionally affect some individuals or communities.   What has been your most satisfying or successful moment in business? Having received praise and encouragement for pursuing our idea.   What would you say have been some of your mistakes, failures or lessons learned as an entrepreneur? One of the valuable lessons I've been learning is how to manage my time and energy. There will always be infinite things that need doing, but it is very important to clearly identify priorities and know when to take a break, to avoid exhaustion and burnout.   How have you funded your ideas? We are not yet at this stage   Are there any sector-specific awards/grants/competitions that have helped you? We got two awards from the "All Innovate" programme of the University of Oxford, which helped fund the first digital platforms we needed to gain access to.   What is good about being an entrepreneur in Oxfordshire? Bad? The network   If a new entrepreneur or startup came to you looking for entrepreneurship resources, where would you send them? EnSpire and The Entrepreneurship Center at Said Business School.   Are there any Business or Entrepreneurship Related Courses that you would recommend? I've been part of the SeedWise, Future Leaders Innovation and now the Oxford Venture Builder programmes from the University of Oxford.   Any last words of advice? "Nothing that is ever been worth it came easy"   You can keep up to date with Ana by following her on LinkedIn and Instagram. You can also get in touch with Ana and DŌSOJIN by emailing them at support@dosojin.org, anageros@gmail.com, or ana.sousageros@ndm.ox.ac.uk.