BOLD Awards VI Edition: Next Generation BOLD Leader Finalists

The BOLD Awards VI Edition proudly includes the Next Generation BOLD Leader programme, a new initiative dedicated to empowering the next generation of innovators from around the world – the NextGen Leaders. This programme is designed to provide young entrepreneurs with unparalleled opportunities to showcase their ground breaking ideas, connect with industry leaders, and become true leaders and ambassadors for innovation within their communities. And one will become a BOLD Ambassador

Taking part opened up a pathway for nextgen leaders to experience exclusive networking opportunities, showcasing innovations, enhancing professional development, and propelling the winner to the status of BOLD Ambassador. This position comes with unique perks, including special access to events, networking sessions, and the opportunity to contribute to BOLD Awards’ initiatives.

Submissions have now closed, and we have selected eight amazing finalists out of 27 applicants who were from ten countries. Who would you choose among a range of entrepreneurs, technologists, academics, scientists, communicators and collaborators?

Mahmoud Khaled Youssef, Egypt

Mahmoud K Youssef is a growth-oriented advertising specialist who designs and creates business opportunities for companies through all means of advertising channels. This allows them to grow, enter new markets, and introduces them to new audiences. He has extensive experience in brand development, strategic planning, digital advertising, art direction and corporate digitalisation.

To achieve this he has been building businesses since he was 21, managed to generate more than US$5 million in revenues, expanded through four continents, and employed more than 60 people.

Yevheniia Broshevan, Lisbon, Portugal

With a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and Information System Security, Yevheniia Broshevan is the co-founder and CBDO of Hacken. Since 2017 she has played a vital role in establishing Hacken as a trusted blockchain security auditor. It has gained recognition from top industry organizations and served over 1,200 clients worldwide. Yevheniia also served as the CEO of HackenProof, a Web3 bug bounty platform that unites a global community of over 40,000 ethical hackers.

As a potential BOLD Ambassador from among our nextgen leaders, she would aim to leverage her expertise in blockchain, cybersecurity, and leadership to foster innovation, empower communities, and inspire others to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the Web3 space.

Firdeus Kasaj, Tirana, Albania

Firdeus Kasaj is a 19 years old entrepreneur and game developer from Tirana, Albania. He started coding at 11 and created the UnyoCorp software and game development software company in 2019. UnyoCorp works with clients in the UK, Lithuania, Dubai, Germany, USA, India and Australia. Its products include a personalized AI learning app for children and young people with disabilities, a platform integrating AI for real time creation of media content, and a career guidance app that brings in job postings, event management and community engagement.

Firdeus has participated in and won multiple internships and competitions, and been recognised with second place in Uplift Albania; first place in EU Commission’s Code Week Hackathon, and nomination to Bloconomy’s “40 under 40” entrepreneurs.

He believes innovation drives the betterment of the community and societies, and is keen to nurture that philosophy and his mentoring skills as a BOLD Ambassador with a global outlook towards technology and innovation.

Duarte Tude de Gusmão e Barros Brito Graça, Lisbon, Portugal

During six years of study for a Masters’ degree at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, Duarte took on a variety of roles in the student association and liaised with the university on several matters of educational policy. He also provided tutoring in social neighbourhoods, organised and participated in health literacy projects in underserved communities, and promoted well-being spaces for youth facing mental health challenges. He also volunteered with the Portuguese Red Cross, the Food Bank, and HeForShe.

Following academic success, he was invited to join a group of young leaders who excel in their respective fields to rethink the city of Lisbon, thereby contributing to the development of better public policies, with a focus on health. He is currently involved in fundraising to pay for student scholarships.

His dedication to fostering inclusive communities and experience in advocacy would suit being a BOLD Ambassador among nextgen leaders, using the power of collaboration and innovative thinking to drive positive change.

Francisco Ferreira da Silva Paupério, Lisbon, Portugal

Francisco Paupério is a climate change activist, and a biologist specialising in bioinformatics who is currently finishing a PhD in Integrative Biology and Biomedicine at the Gulbenkian Institute of Science. Francisco is a founder and active member of the VERDE association, which conserves big trees, and part of the LIDERA community, which aims to transition Portugal to a sustainable society.

Francisco recently stood as a candidate in European elections for the Portuguese Green Party, LIVRE, and for the last year has also been a project manager  for the Portuguese government to identify the main investments for climate mitigation from 2030 to 2050.

His academic and scientific background has strengthened his communication and critical analysis skills, and he is a go-to climate change spokesperson for Portuguese media. As an activist and humanitarian, he aims to use these skills to foster greater collaboration between politicians, activists, and scientists for informed and conscious decisions.

Joana Maria Bordalo Fernandes, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal

As an advocate for social justice and gender equality, Joana Maria co-founded Native Scientists Portugal in August 2021. It is an NGO that promotes science education and equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their background. In 2023 she was awarded the Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise by Euclid Network. Since August 2024 she has been the Operations Lead at Native Scientists, supervising a team of 15 people.

Her appetite for hard work in co-founding Portugal’s entity for Native Scientists, plus her leadership skills since then, have driven this educational programme from an idea into a sustainable and growing national programme. Her role among nextgen leaders has involved establishing crucial partnerships, fundraising, communicating with all the stakeholders, and developing and implementing the idea in the schools.

Rahmon Agbaje, London, UK

Rahmon is co-founder of Loud Parade, an award winning music technology company from London, and is recognised by Forbes 30 Under 30. Loud Parade has achieved over 8 billion views while making music for brands such as Samsung, Nike and Sour Patch Kids. As a global citizen, Rahmon enjoys connecting with other people across his different networks, and has access to founders, investors and creators globally.

TK Teo, Singapore

TK Teo is a creative advertising person with a strong focus in experiential events, social media influencer advertising and integrated marketing campaigns. Currently based in Singapore, he is Associate Creative Director of BlueFocus Communication Group, the world’s sixth largest and China’s top advertising firm, with an unrivalled portfolio across strategy, digital, social, PR, design, branding and more. He brings innovation and strategic thinking into each activation – delivering award-winning campaigns across the regions that has seen him acknowledged in the 30 under 30 Cannes Young Lions ’24 creative awards.

Next Steps for our NextGen Leaders

The application deadline for nextgen leaders has closed, and these finalists must now be available to be an active part of our nextgen leaders’ community from November 2024 to March 2025. To become a BOLD Ambassador they should exhibit a high level of professionalism, and be proactive.

The winner will be awarded a place at the BOLD Awards VI gala dinner award ceremony on Friday March 28th 2025, in Lisbon, Portugal.