Zoe Christoforidou, co-founder of DŌSOJIN
Zoe Christoforidou is a Postdoctoral Scientist at the Radcliffe Department of Medicine, where her research focuses on the immune system of the intestine. Beyond her expertise in biomedical science, she is passionate about breaking down complex issues into manageable problems and developing effective solutions. As a woman and scientist, she is deeply committed to addressing issues of inequality and empowering women and marginalized populations. This drive led her to co-found DŌSOJIN with Ana Sousa Gerós. DŌSOJIN is an AI-powered app designed to balance safety, convenience, and privacy. Currently, they are in the ideation stage and actively working to raise funds for our first Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
I have a PhD in Immunology and a deep passion for research. However, I realised that I am even more passionate about solving problems than merely researching them. I wanted to have a more impactful role and start addressing issues that affect me and those around me. This drive to make a tangible difference led me to become an entrepreneur.
To me, entrepreneurship is about leveraging your skills, expertise, experience, and passion to make a meaningful impact. It is the power to give your ideas structure and bring them to life.
We initially shared our idea with a few friends who responded with great enthusiasm. However, we sought a more unbiased approach to assess the impact of the problem and the usefulness of our solution. To achieve this, we conducted a simple exploratory survey, being careful not to influence participants' responses regarding the problem and potential solution. The majority of participants expressed concerns about feeling unsafe during solo journeys and dissatisfaction with existing solutions. This feedback validated our idea, confirming that DŌSOJIN has the potential to significantly improve people's lives.
1. Resilience: Throughout the entrepreneurial journey, you will inevitably face failures, receive harsh feedback, and encounter many closed doors. You need the strength to return to your goal, make necessary changes, pivot if needed, and continue forward.
2. Problem-Solving: Problems will constantly arise. As soon as you solve one, another will appear. You must be able to quickly find solutions and tackle challenges efficiently.
3. Agility: To succeed, you need to seize new opportunities, stay abreast of changes and trends, and adapt accordingly. This ability ensures your idea remains innovative and relevant over time.
My favourite part of being an entrepreneur is the opportunity to meet, learn from, and discuss ideas with people I wouldn’t normally encounter. Interacting with entrepreneurs and experts from various sectors is energising and helps me grow both personally and professionally.
Mackenzie Scott inspires me greatly. As a philanthropist, she has pledged to give away more than half of her wealth over her lifetime. Her "no strings attached" approach to giving allows the non-profits she supports to have full control over how to best use the funds. I believe this is an influential way to empower leaders and teams dedicated to making the world a better place
I would like to discuss what motivated her to become a philanthropist and how she feels about giving up control over how her donations are used, especially in a world where lack of control is often seen as a form of powerlessness.
At this early stage of developing a tech company, the most satisfying moment has been when people within the tech community recognised our idea as viable and compelling. It was incredibly rewarding to have experts acknowledge the potential of our concept.
One of the key lessons I've learned as an entrepreneur is not to be afraid to openly discuss our ideas. Engaging with others not only invites challenges but also fosters invaluable feedback and contributions. Through these interactions, our initial ideas are refined, and the solutions to identified problems become stronger and more robust.
We were fortunate to win two awards at the EnSpire All-Innovate competition, providing initial support for our idea. However, as we are still at the ideation stage, our most significant investment has been the time dedicated alongside our other responsibilities to further develop our concept.
Winning two awards at the EnSpire-All Innovate competition has been immensely beneficial for us. It provided us with the resources to invest in necessary tools to further explore and develop our idea.
One of the advantages of being an entrepreneur in Oxfordshire is the vibrant startup ecosystem, with many startups and business centres facilitating networking and collaboration. Additionally, there are numerous events supporting startups, many of which are organised through the University of Oxford, providing valuable opportunities for learning and networking. Interacting with founders who have successfully navigated their entrepreneurial journey adds further value to the ecosystem.
However, one potential downside could be the competitive nature of the ecosystem, which may pose challenges for new startups trying to establish themselves.
I would encourage them to sign up for the EnSpire Newsletter. It's a valuable resource for staying informed about entrepreneurship events, opportunities, and developments in and around Oxfordshire.
Are there any Business or Entrepreneurship Related Courses that you would recommend?
All Innovate, EnSpire, Oxford University
Oxford Venture Builder, Saïd Business School, Entrepreneurship Centre, Oxford University
Researchers Strategy Consultancy, Careers Services, Oxford University
My last words of advice would be: if you have an idea for solving a problem, start exploring how that solution could evolve into a company. Embarking on this journey of exploration can lead you to exciting discoveries and new ideas worth exploring further.
