Ana Sousa Geros, co-founder of DŌSOJIN
Ana Sousa Geros is a last-year DPhil student. She is also one of the two co-founders of "DŌSOJIN", a startup at the pre-seed stage. Currently, she and Zoe Christoforidou, the other co-founder, are the only two members of the team. Although they haven't started any fundraising, they are now ready to look into their first grant applications.
I have studied Chemical Engineering during my BSc and Life Sciences and Technology during my MSc. Currently, I am a DPhil student of Clinical Medicine, conducting medical-based research. I am passionate about the disruptive power of science and innovation, and love using my creativity, critical thinking, and leadership skills to design and steer my own projects. I’m a lifelong learner, constantly looking for new challenges, learning opportunities, and human connections. I have worked in diverse teams as a researcher, but also a board member of several student associations, a volunteer with the underprivileged and disabled, a care worker, and a human rights activist. Recently, I have discovered a passion for leveraging my engineering and research skills alongside my social skills to develop innovations that can truly benefit society.
Entrepreneurship, in my view, involves identifying a problem and working backwards towards a solution, without being constrained by existing social or operational limitations. It is defying the status quo and believing that what seems impossible can become a new normal through effort and creativity.
From the several mentorships and pitching for feedback opportunities we got during the Oxford Venture Builder programme.
Positivity, Curiosity and Kindness:
Without positivity, any innovative idea will seem out of reach, and any pitfall while implementing it will look like the end of the road. Without curiosity, there is no desire to leave the comfort zone and build something new, nor the vision to improve it.
Without kindness, there is no selfless drive to change the world, nor a network of people that can help make it happen. And no one will ever get far alone, or without a deep passion to assist society.
Without positivity, any innovative idea will seem out of reach, and any pitfall while implementing it will look like the end of the road. Without curiosity, there is no desire to leave the comfort zone and build something new, nor the vision to improve it.
Without kindness, there is no selfless drive to change the world, nor a network of people that can help make it happen. And no one will ever get far alone, or without a deep passion to assist society.
Having to work on multiple different tasks, many of which fall outside my area of expertise: this involves a continuous learning process and ensures my work is far from monotonous.
Daphne Koller - A brilliant woman scientist and entrepreneur, who devotes her life/career to improving different societal issues, such as education and health.
I would ask her for some tips on how to globally promote valuable social solutions for problems that disproportionally affect some individuals or communities.
One of the valuable lessons I've been learning is how to manage my time and energy. There will always be infinite things that need doing, but it is very important to clearly identify priorities and know when to take a break, to avoid exhaustion and burnout.
We are not yet at this stage
We got two awards from the "All Innovate" programme of the University of Oxford, which helped fund the first digital platforms we needed to gain access to.
The network
Are there any Business or Entrepreneurship Related Courses that you would recommend?
I've been part of the SeedWise, Future Leaders Innovation and now the Oxford Venture Builder programmes from the University of Oxford.
"Nothing that is ever been worth it came easy"
You can keep up to date with Ana by following her on LinkedIn and Instagram. You can also get in touch with Ana and DŌSOJIN by emailing them at support@dosojin.org, anageros@gmail.com, or ana.sousageros@ndm.ox.ac.uk.
