Author - Karen Chelangat

Karen Chelangat, an Impact Entrepreneur Correspondent, has spent the last decade shaping the future of African entrepreneurship, developing hundreds of early-stage founders and driving scalable incubation models that reduce startup failure rates. She has successfully led cross-border collaborations, expanding the pool of investable African entrepreneurs. As Chief Innovation Officer at Jacob’s Ladder Africa (JLA), she empowers underprivileged youth to transform ideas into sustainable startups – creating jobs, strengthening communities, and breaking cycles of poverty.

Her passion for a thriving Africa has guided her career across finance, telecoms, real estate, and education – each role a step toward bridging the gap between socioeconomic potential and reality. From designing financial solutions to launching ventures, scaling SMEs, and increasing youth participation in innovation ecosystems, her work consistently fuels economic growth while addressing pressing social challenges.