Chen is an Israeli who lived for several years in France and India, where she was first introduced to international development. She holds a BA in Industrial Engineering and Management, specializing in Information Systems, from the Shenkar College of Engineering and Design. With an interest in urban community development, innovation and entrepreneurship Chen developed an interest in the private market and social enterprises and had her internship in Impact Hub Kigali. IHK is a privately-held innovation hub, driven by a social vision to be the home for social enterprise and community engagement in Rwanda. Through their work, they have facilitated, supported, and led positive and sustainable change within Kigali’s community. They host a co-working space that brings entrepreneurs, artists, and innovative visionaries together, and also provide consulting services to other organizations. On their rooftop, they host events for the community on a range of topics from environmental issues to arts and culture. Chen’s activities at Impact Hub included managing different projects, facilitating workshops, and being part of a Community of Practice, where a group of young innovators met every week at IHK to develop their own initiatives. She helped with social media and was involved with the different events that were held. She created a monthly event called “Kigali Tech Happy Hour” for Kiali’s tech community. She was also involved in consulting for other international organizations and helped support a pan-African policy initiative called I4Policy. 

 

 

This is the entrance to Impact Hub Kigali, Rwanda. This message, along with the different artworks and graffiti around the hub, inspires the young entrepreneurs who walk through the doors into thinking creatively, encouraging them to follow their own path. Being a social enterprise, all of Impact Hub’s profits produces are given back directly to the innovators, artists, and creators of the local community. Contributing to the development world, innovation hubs are the heart of an exciting new sector that is enriching local regeneration projects and initiatives across the globe. For me, technology and innovation is a way of bringing empowerment to local communities, through giving space and the opportunity to produce new ideas and establish a strong ecosystem of creativity and connection. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BACK TO ALL STORIES