The Visa Everywhere Pioneers initiative spotlights the stories of creativity and innovation that displaced women bring to their new European communities and local economies.

The programme honours remarkable women from diverse backgrounds, industries and experiences who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and a commitment to build their own businesses and make a positive impact. These trailblazing individuals, whether they run small local businesses, innovative startups or large organisations, serve as beacons of inspiration, breaking down barriers and fostering positive change.

Since 2023, we've supported 100 European founders to develop and grow their businesses. Now, in its fourth and final year, the Visa Everywhere Pioneers winners have made outstanding contributions in healthcare, education, advocacy, business and other sectors.

Visa Everywhere Pioneers 2026

In its fourth year, Visa Everywhere Pioneers continues to celebrate exceptional women entrepreneurs with a refugee background who are transforming resilience into innovation across Europe.

The 2026 cohort recognises 30 outstanding Pioneers building ventures across sectors including technology, education, retail, food, and social impact — creating jobs, strengthening communities, and unlocking new opportunities. Through access to mentoring, funding, and a strong network of partners, the programme supports these founders as they grow, scale, and help shape a more inclusive and innovative future for Europe.

Meet the Judges

Valerie Lomari MBE

CEO Founder. Women of Grace UK supports women and girls affected by Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), gender-based violence, trauma, and social exclusion through advocacy, wellbeing support, safeguarding education, and community empowerment programmes. We work to create safe spaces where women can rebuild confidence, access support, develop skills, and live meaningful, independent lives.

Michelle Richey

Dr Michelle Richey is an Associate Professor in Technology and Entrepreneurship at Loughborough Business School. Her research, teaching and practice focus on using entrepreneurship and technology to empower typically marginalised groups and bring about meaningful positive change

Jessie Macneil Brown

Head of Social Mission and Activism for Ben & Jerry’s Europe and Australia/New Zealand. She leads the brand’s social justice and advocacy work, currently focused on refugee rights, drawing on 15+ years of experience with organisations including IKEA, Amnesty International and The Body Shop.

Lucy Demery

Lucy Demery is Senior Vice President, Head of Visa Commercial Solutions in Europe. In this role, Lucy leads Visa’s B2B payments business in Europe -- partnering with bank issuers, acquirers, technology platforms and Fintechs to provide innovative B2B solutions and drive go-to-market. Lucy is a member of the Visa Europe Leadership Team and the Global Visa Commercial Solutions Leadership Team.

Payal Pathak

As Head of Programs for Visa Foundation, Payal is responsible for overseeing an international portfolio of grants designed to support the growth of small and micro businesses, globally. Payal joined Visa in 2015 from the non-profit sector and has led several initiatives with international and civil society institutions to address a range of issues, including the advancement of digital financial services, the gender financing gap, and sustainable agriculture, impacting under resourced communities. Payal earned her MA from the Fletcher School at Tufts University and her BA from the University of California, Irvine.

Visa Everywhere Pioneers 2025

In its third year, the Visa Everywhere Pioneers programme continued its celebration of entrepreneurial women with refugee backgrounds who, through their own creativity, innovation, and leadership skills, are driving positive impact on a local, regional, or national scale. Last year, the initiative expanded to honour 30 winners, and the 2025 cohort of Pioneers each received access to business mentoring and over €60,000 of microgrants collectively to support their business growth.

 

Watch the highlights from this year’s awards ceremony

110 total applications

36 nationalities represented

17 countries of residence

Highlights from 2025’s programme of events

In 2025, Visa Everywhere Pioneers brought together learning, connection and celebration through two standout events in London. The programme opened with a two-day learning, mentoring and networking experience, beginning at Visa’s Paddington Market Support Office.

Through practical workshops, shared learning and conversations with business leaders and partners, participants built skills, exchanged ideas and formed meaningful connections. The momentum continued at the REN Summit, spotlighting these women as change makers, now supported with mentoring, language courses and over €60,000 in microgrants.

The programme concluded with an awards ceremony at Loughborough University London, celebrating 30 pioneers whose ambition, resilience and innovation are creating impact across Europe.

 


Hear from some of 2025’s cohort

See the full list of finalists from 2025

Our 2025 judging panel

2025’s winners were selected by our panel of expert judges who come from diverse business backgrounds, bringing a wealth of experience to the Visa Everywhere Pioneers programme.

Our 2025 partners

Visa is working with partners TERN, Singa, Odyssea and Delitelabs to deliver the Visa Everywhere Pioneers programme, which spotlights a diverse group of remarkable entrepreneurial women from refugee backgrounds across Europe who have made a positive impact in their fields. By providing a platform for them to tell their stories, alongside direct financial support, the programme supports Pioneers in scaling up their businesses and growing their revenues.

Visa Everywhere Pioneers 2024

In the second year of the Visa Everywhere Pioneers programme, we recognised twenty outstanding women entrepreneurs with refugee backgrounds from different countries across Europe.

See the full list of finalists from 2024

Visa Everywhere Pioneers 2023

The inaugural group of Visa Everywhere Pioneers were recognised in 2023, celebrating their extraordinary community contributions.

Hear from some of the 2023 cohort

comfort

Comfort Etim

Comfort, who came to the UK from Nigeria, works with Refugee Women Connect and is the founder of Comfort’s Angels — which uses football to empower women, promote integration and improve physical and mental well-being.

Sarah Ahmadi

Sarah, from Afghanistan, moved to the UK seeking a better life. She has since gone on to form a number of charities focused on improving the lives of refugees, asylum seekers and people in the BME community.

Tetiana Balanova

Tetiana left Ukraine as a result of the escalating conflict, arriving in Edinburgh. She joined the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain and has been working to provide community and support for displaced Ukrainians.

See the full list of finalists from 2023

Unlocking Visa New Doors for newcomers in Europe

Helping displaced people thrive