Sustainability Network of the University of California in Europe Entrepreneurs Showcase

Join us for an evening of inspirational discussion about growing a business with the founders of Humanitea, Bloom Money, Planet Smart and The Good Plastic Company, a rare opportunity to hear from four dynamic entrepreneurs first-hand about common challenges, hopes and aspirations.

Your ticket includes wine/beer and light bites.

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Please note the run of events below:

6:30pm - Reception

7:00pm - Panel Discussion

8:00pm - Networking Reception

9:00pm - Event Ends

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About our Panel:

Tina Chen (UCLA, BA Business Economics) Chief Tea Officer Tina was inspired by Taiwanese bubble tea concept and British tea drinking culture to develop a delicious, well-balanced tea latte beverage. With her love for a quality cuppa and her desire to make a positive impact on society, Tina made a career switch from IT to just tea, and HumaniTea was born! A proud social enterprise, HumaniTea supports wellbeing and sustainability initiatives through wholesome tea. Spreading Me Time, Tea Time, Any Time, we encourage people to take tea breaks to find mindfulness.

Nina Mohanty (UC Davis, BS International Relations) is the CEO of Bloom Money, an app helping diaspora communities build generational wealth. Previously at Klarna, Bud, Starling Bank, and Mastercard, she’s recognised on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list and Innovate Finance’s Women in FinTech Power List. A finalist for the Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award, Nina also advises Talent Beyond Boundaries and supports charities focused on financial access for refugees.

Maurice Rüttimann (UC Berkeley, International Business & Diplomatic Negotiations) After working for an environmentally focused congressman and serving as a liaison on the Transatlantic Collaboration team at the European Parliament, he continued his work & studies in international business & trade at the University of Ankara, Türkiye. In June 2023, he moved to London to co-found Planet Smart, a start-up developing a 100% biodegradable superabsorbent polymer, the last missing link to fully biodegradable diapers/nappies & menstrual pads. The company has raised $1 million to date and is scaling production for pilots.

Alexandra Simmons (UC Berkeley, Anthropology) is the Founder of Oko Ag, an AI-powered platform simplifying farm funding. Her multidisciplinary career spans creating award-winning campaigns for KFC Australia, emergency relief operations in a French refugee camp, and building VC-backed climate, health, and education startups with Founders Factory. She teaches entrepreneurship at Imperial College London, advocating to use business as a tool to drive positive change. Hence, her desire to found Oko Ag, where she is harnessing AI to unlock critical funding for the transition to sustainable agriculture.

Andrew Wright (UCLA Anderson MBA 2010) is an experienced securities services and technology leader in the financial services sector who also serves as a lead investor and Director of The Good Plastic Company. Founded in 2018, The Good Plastic Company manufactures Polygood® — large-format panels made from 100% recycled and recyclable polystyrene used by the architecture and design industry as a sustainable/circular surface material. The company’s mission is to give a practical and beautiful second life to waste that would otherwise be incinerated or end up in landfill or the ocean.

The event will be introduced by Shambhavi Gupta (UC Davis ’20, BA Economics and International Relations) — is a Founder of Nine Spot Seven, a global financial-markets intelligence subscription based platform delivering macro insights and hosting curated finance events across the U.S., U.K., India, and Asia. 

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Notes

Photography: Please note photography will take place at this event. Entry constitutes consent to such, and to any use, in any and all media. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us via the email below or speak to a member of staff on arrival to the event.

Code of Conduct: By attending a University of California Trust event, you are agreeing to comply with our code of conduct. To learn more, please visit here.

This event is subsidised by the UC Trust for alumni, students and friends of the University of California.

Questions? Contact us at here.