Antigoni Kourou is a tech entrepreneur with roots in Albania and a global vision shaped by resilience, learning, and purpose. Growing up in a post-communist environment, she was deeply influenced by her parents’ belief in education and international exposure. Today, as a solo founder navigating the complex world of startups and technology, Antigoni’s journey reflects courage, self-belief, and a strong commitment to creating meaningful impact. Humans of Fuzia is proud to feature her story as it resonates with women worldwide who are building leadership paths despite systemic challenges — reminding our 5M+ community that progress is possible through persistence and collective support.
What inspired you to start your journey as an entrepreneur?
My biggest inspiration has been my family. I’m originally from Albania and grew up shortly after communism fell. My parents, like many others, didn’t have the opportunity to study or go abroad, so they instilled in me the importance of education, growth, and looking beyond borders. That mindset pushed me to always aim for more and explore opportunities internationally.
What challenges did you face while establishing yourself professionally and as an entrepreneur?
I come from a business IT background, so I’ve always approached problems with a solution-oriented mindset. Even in corporate roles, I acted like an intrapreneur, taking ownership of projects. Entrepreneurship was always in the back of my mind, but I waited until I felt financially and professionally stable.
The biggest challenge was starting from scratch — when you leave a big company, you’re no longer representing a brand; you are the brand. Building trust, visibility, and a network takes time. I’m now in my second year as an entrepreneur and finally seeing the results of that effort. Communities like Techstars, Future of Finance Accelerator, and women-focused tech groups have played a huge role in making this journey less lonely.
What has been your proudest milestone so far?
From a startup perspective, securing funding is critical, and bringing two investors on board was a major milestone. Equally important was launching the product and receiving validation from the market — that confirmation that what we’re building actually matters.
Are you currently a solo founder?
Yes, at the moment I am. I previously had a co-founder, but we parted ways. Being a solo founder has its challenges, but it’s also a phase of growth. It may be temporary, but for now, it’s helping me strengthen my leadership and clarity.
What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
There’s a lot of conversation and initiatives around promoting women in leadership, especially in tech, but in practice these fields are still largely male-dominated. Women are often seen alongside men rather than as sole leaders. I’ve personally experienced this during fundraising, where I was advised — even positively — to bring a male leader on board.
With AI, this gap feels even more visible. While initiatives exist, there’s still a long way to go. I believe women must support each other more actively and involve men in understanding our perspective. It’s not about opposition — it’s about collaboration for a future we want to build together.
What message would you like to share with women leaders and entrepreneurs?
Give yourself chances. Women tend to overthink opportunities — questioning qualifications, time, or readiness. We need to raise our hands more often and say yes, even if we don’t feel 100% ready. That’s something men do confidently.
For women already in leadership, it’s important to pull other women along — through mentorship, opportunities, or representation. At my company, I actively involve women interns to give them real exposure to startup life and entrepreneurship.
What does professional success mean to you?
Success is personal. For me, it means independence and creating meaningful impact — especially within the communities I’m directly connected to, both online and offline. It’s about feeling accomplished, aiming high but setting goals that are realistic and aligned with the impact I want to make.
“Success, for me, is about independence and creating impact in the communities I touch — that’s what truly feels meaningful.”
Want to be featured?
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