MEET OUR PLEDGERS
LSE is proud to introduce the collective of entrepreneurial and innovative alumni who have pledged their support to give back to the School when they are in a position to do so. This creative network is filled with changemakers across multiple sectors, including health-tech, SaaS, AI and food & beverage, highlighting LSE’s diverse community who are united in their commitment to build businesses for the betterment of society.
BUSINESS
Adam French and Hannah Leach
(BSc Statistics 2007 and MSc Development Management 2012)
Houghton Street Ventures
Partners
Hannah and Adam founded and run Houghton Street Ventures, a VC firm which they established in formal partnership with LSE, to invest in LSE-alumni founded ventures globally. As part of this relationship, and in return for the ongoing support they receive from the school, both Hannah and Adam have personally pledged a donation to the School to support entrepreneurial activities.
Find out more about Adam and Hannah's entrepreneurial journey.
Bilyana Freye
(BSc Government 2009)
Orbiit
Co-Founder and CEO
An AI-powered matching SaaS platform, automating curated 1:1 community introductions at scale.
David Paparelli
(MSc Management 2020)
M•Cultivo
Co-Founder and CEO
M•Cultivo helps speciality coffee producers access the technology, capital, and markets they need to grow.
Imtiaz Shams
(BSc Management 2012)
Post Urban Ventures
Founding Partner
Post Urban Ventures is a venture builder that ideates, builds and invests in deep tech businesses.
Kenneth Damien
(LLB Law 2010)
Future Impact Summit
Founder
The Future Impact initiative is an immersive exploration of global tech, innovation and social science trends that will shape the future.
Nakul Garg
(MSc Accounting 2020)
CrowdInvest
Co-Founder and CEO
A security tokenisation platform for startups and funds to bring transparency, accountability and liquidity for their cap table.
Nataliya Yena
(Diploma International Relations 2001)
Yena Translations
Founder
Nataliya provides a range of translation services in English, German, Russian and Ukrainian.
Roop Bhadury
(PhD Management 2027)
Machine Ventures
Co-Founder and Partner
Enabling enterprise and startups to unlock growth and value from a machine intelligence led transition to Digital Autonomy.
Zhaohan Dong
(MSc Media & Communications 2022)
AI Venture Pulse
Co-Founder
AI Investment News and Business Deep Dives with Founders and Investors.
HEALTH
Akber Tahir
(BSc Management 2023)
Pharmovo
Co-Founder and CEO
Pharmovo deploys AI to predict pharmaceutical demand, fighting against overstocks and shortages in the global supply chain.
I have been fortunate enough to benefit from the kindness and support of many individuals across LSE. Innovators can only increase the odds of success with this form of kindness. To build a better School and world for all, I have signed LSE's Entrepreneurs' Pledge to pay this back, as LSE has been significant in my journey as an entrepreneur.
Borebardhe Mazreku and Xheni Shehaj
(MSc Management 2021 and MSc Social Planning 2021)
Mind the Cake
Co-Founders
Mind the Cake is a socially conscious bakery and movement committed to promoting healthier lifestyles through delicious and nutritious cakes.
Kanupriya Batra
(MSc Management 2020)
Speek Health
Co-Founder and CEO
Speek provides affordable access to world-class clinicians who equip parents to help their children overcome their struggles, even if they are neurodivergent.
Looking back, almost every turning point in my journey came from someone giving, be it time, advice, encouragement, or an introduction, without expecting anything immediate in return.
Kanupriya reflects on being a woman in the entrepreneurial space.
Lauren O’Donnell
(BA Geography 2013, MSc Social Policy and Administration 2014)
Oatsu
Founder
Oatsu makes it easy to enjoy a healthy breakfast on-the-go with our overnight oat pots and 'just add milk' mixes.
I want young women to see that ambition isn’t something to dilute or apologise for. If my journey helps even one person believe they can build boldly and on their own terms, that feels like a meaningful contribution.
Lauren Taylor
(MSc Management 2022)
Alter: Bio
Founder and CEO
US-based household cleaning line built with biotech and microbiome centered innovations as alternatives to chemical disinfectants - better science for healthier consumers and planet.
As LSE continues to be the gift that keeps on giving, I feel so strongly that I, in turn, want to give back to this university and ecosystem – back to these people and minds that are pushing boundaries globally, for a better world. That energy and real vision deserves my full support.
Marvin Camara
Optra
Co-Founder and CEO
Optra is an AI-powered wellness companion that turns your health, fitness, and schedule data into clear, actionable guidance for better performance every day.
Raj Singh
(BSc Economics 2007)
MindHug
Co-Founder and CEO
Innovations and experiences that awaken the mind, transform wellbeing, and inspire change.
Like many LSE alumni, I was motivated to make a difference, not only because I recovered from my own mental health challenges, but also because it was exciting! The mind is the final frontier, not space, and we are aiming to conquer it.
Rohit Mukul
(MSc Management 2018)
Zeelab Pharmacy Pvt Ltd
Founder and CEO
Highest quality medicines at 90 per cent lower cost delivered in 60 minutes.
INCLUSION
Mikai McDermott
(MSc Empires Colonialism and Globalisation, 2020)
The Linen Service
Founder
A private community connecting ambitious women in business, media, and tech. The Linen Service offers real guidance, connections, and the resources to break barriers and achieve tangible success.
Studying at LSE trained me to think structurally about power and gave me analytical confidence and mobility. I want more women, particularly those from working-class and immigrant backgrounds, to feel entitled to those spaces rather than intimidated by them.
TECHNOLOGY
Andrew Jillions
(PhD International Relations 2013)
Lautonomy
Founder
AI enhanced legal and policy intelligence.
April Stephenson
(MSc Management 2020)
Simba Tech
Co-Founder and CEO
Simba’s data collection and AI tools allow impact organisations to collect feedback, measure impact, and analyse results anywhere in the world using WhatsApp and SMS texts.
I gained a lot from my time at the LSE, and I am so grateful for it. From my academic experience to the support I received at LSE Generate, it only seems fair to pay it back.
Daniel Parekh-Hill
(BSc Economics 2018)
Flare
Co-Founder
Automate order scheduling, boost conversions, and delight customers with Flare's intelligent future delivery solution.
Supporting LSE's entrepreneurial ecosystem means more students get the chance to build solutions to real-world challenges, rather than just studying them.
Joel Alexander
(BSc Accounting 2021)
Kendal
Co-Founder and CEO
The first WhatsApp CRM for the real estate industry.
Julian Buschmaas
(MSc Development Management 2019)
be/impact
Co-Founder and CEO
be/impact improves corporate learning outcomes by 300 per cent and helps businesses to achieve their CSR goals 7x faster by enabling their employees to teach at not-for-profits.
Every visit to the campus and engagement with LSE Generate reignites my inspiration. By supporting the entrepreneurial spirit at LSE, we can foster innovative solutions to global challenges.
Kirsty Kenney
(BA Geography 2014)
Kuppa
Co-Founder and CEO
Powerful energy models to plan and deliver home energy futures at scale.
We need to find ways to make the risk of building a company viable for women from every background, while broadening opportunities and access that makes that possible.
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