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New York-based entrepreneurship expert starts new Aberdeen role

Jennifer Iannolo, founder and CEO of New York-based Imperia.
Jennifer Iannolo, founder and CEO of New York-based Imperia.

A US expert on business start-ups has arrived in Aberdeen for a spell as an entrepreneur in residence at the city’s Opportunity North East (One) Tech Hub.

Jennifer Iannolo – normally based in New York – is in the north-east to lead the delivery of a new programme for women business founders.

A first-of-its-kind initiative in the region, the course is part of One’s activities to develop and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.

This includes helping people from under-represented communities to start and grow their own business.

Embedding a global mindset and ambition at the earliest possible stage in the entrepreneurial journey is important.”

Karen O’Hanlon, digital technology director, Opportunity North East.

The new coaching sessions take place at One Tech Hub tomorrow, Thursday and Friday, with additional activities taking place during the rest of August and September.

Open to all entrepreneurs, it is hoped the programme will help guide participants through critical growth stages of their business.

Ms Iannolo is the founder and chief executive of women’s leadership development-focused Imperia, which aims to give female founders “the rocket boost they need to build their empires”.

Jennifer Iannolo aims to pass on her entrepreneurship wisdom to north-east women founders.

The group’s CEO has worked with people all over the world, including Grammy nominees and at least one Hollywood movie star, to help them along the road to business success.

Her CV also includes advising the US Department of State on women’s global entrepreneurship.

She told The Press and Journal it felt good to be back in Scotland – her mother hails from Beauly – and she was excited to start working with the women on One’s new programme.

18 women founders signed up

Eighteen female entrepreneurs from digital technology, life sciences and food and drink businesses are signed up to take part.

Ms Iannolo said: “As the daughter of a Highlander, I‘ve always been struck by the courage and power of Scottish women.

“When I visited Aberdeen in March 2022 to work with some women founders here, I was instantly struck by the potential to expand their opportunities and leverage their ambition.

“I wanted to be part of this community and help them move forward, and I’m thrilled Imperia and Opportunity North East were able to make this initiative happen in under six months.”

Jennifer Iannolo, right, with women founders programme participant Nassima Brown, co-founder of Aberdeen-based energy sector technology firm Fennex.

She added: “We have an incredible cohort of women founders, and I’m excited to take them on a transformative journey of what it means to be a woman carving out a path in the world for her ideas.”

As One Tech Hub’s first entrepreneur in residence, Ms Iannolo will draw on her own experience as a founder and more than a decade spent coaching and mentoring high-profile entrepreneurs.

‘Outstanding’ first entrepreneur in residence

One digital technology director Karen O’Hanlon said: “As a world-class coach, keynote speaker and champion of women’s entrepreneurship, Jennifer is an outstanding first entrepreneur in residence.

“The fact she is spending the summer in the north-east is a great reflection of the talent and potential in the region.

“Her energy, enthusiasm and experience will be a great catalyst for our community.”

Ms O’Hanlon added: “Embedding a global mindset and ambition at the earliest possible stage in the entrepreneurial journey is important and connecting founders to a global community of like-minded entrepreneurs and experts offers that opportunity.”

Conversation