Our Story

Spotlight! was founded in 2023 by Sophia Tran — a visionary with a passion for technology and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Sophia discovered her enthusiasm for the startup world in 2019 while working at DIGITALHUB.de. Since then, she has been actively supporting emerging digital startups as an investor and mentor. In addition, she shapes the scene as Vice President of the trend network La Futura, State Representative of the Startup Association, and a member of the advisory board of the Young Digital Economy NRW. Her expertise regularly takes her on business delegations to countries such as the USA or Japan, where she represents the interests of startups on an international level.

In addition to her own experience as a founder, Sophia comes from a family with a migration background. Her personal challenges and experiences inspired her to create Spotlight! — a platform that makes perspectives visible, promotes diversity, and brings new energy to the startup world.

"Diversity isn't a nice-to-have, but the key to true innovation. With Spotlight!, we're creating a platform that not only fosters new ideas but also brings people from different backgrounds together to redefine the future of work."

Sophia Tran

Our Vision

We believe in a future where diversity is not only visible but celebrated. A future where every voice is heard, every talent is recognized, and every idea has the opportunity to grow and change the world.

Spotlight! is more than a platform—it’s a movement bridging the gap between different sectors and diversity. Our goal is to shape a European world of work that is not only innovative, but also fair and accessible.

We envision a world of work where diversity is seen as a driver of progress—where new perspectives are not only welcome, but essential for groundbreaking innovations. We are committed to a world where inclusion is not just a goal, but a matter of course.

Our Mission

Our mission is to transform the European world of work through innovation, inclusion and collaboration.

🚀 Connecting – We bring people and ideas together.
🎤 Empowering – We amplify new voices and perspectives.
🔄 Transforming – We question traditional structures and actively promote diversity.

We create spaces where perspectives collide, people inspire each other, and groundbreaking ideas become reality. By fostering diversity, supporting innovators, and elevating diverse voices, we are shaping an industry that is not only technologically advanced, but also equitable and accessible.

Our Team

The team behind Spotlight! is a diverse mix of cultures and perspectives. We’re spread internationally, from Bonn and Berlin to Manchester and Cape Town, but we’re all united by our passion for actively driving innovation and diversity in the workplace of tomorrow.