Lina Al-Ayaf

Saudi Arabian entrepreneur empowering women through technology and entrepreneurship.

Lina Al-Ayaf, born in 1978, is a trailblazer in Saudi Arabia’s tech scene, championing women’s economic inclusion. She founded Women2030, a startup incubator that provides funding and mentorship to female entrepreneurs. Under her leadership, over 500 women-led tech ventures have launched, including apps for healthcare access and sustainable fashion. Al-Ayaf also co-created the Saudi Digital Industrialization Initiative, integrating AI and blockchain into traditional industries. Her advocacy led to the 2019 Women’s Economic Empowerment Program, which allocated $1 billion to gender-inclusive startups. A frequent speaker at World Economic Forum events, she authored 《Techonomics: A Saudi Woman’s Journey to Equality》, detailing her strategies for merging tech and social change. Al-Ayaf’s TED Talk, "Code for Equality," highlights how technology can dismantle gender barriers. Her work has been profiled in Forbes Middle East and Harvard Business Review, cementing her as a global voice for tech-driven gender equity.