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 is not a nice-to-have but the key to true innovation. With Spotlight!, we are creating a platform that not only fosters new ideas but also brings together people from different backgrounds to redefine the future of the tech industry.”

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 technology and diversity. Our goal is to shape a European tech landscape that is not only innovative, but also fair and accessible.

We see an industry 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 given.

Our Mission

Our mission is to transform the European tech sector 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 a tech 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. From Bonn and Berlin to Manchester and Cape Town, we are internationally distributed, yet united by a shared passion for actively driving innovation and diversity in the tech industry.