Sarah Anto
Sarah Anto is a Silicon Valley operator turned global voice for women-led innovation and ethical AI.
Why you should book Sarah Anto for your next event
- Gain powerful insights on how to fund and scale women-led startups globally.
- Learn how AI ethics and gender dynamics shape innovation across regions.
- Be inspired by Sarah’s journey from Silicon Valley to global impact.
Non-binding request for Sarah Anto
Founder of FundHER and expert on women in tech, AI ethics, and inclusive innovation.
Sarah Anto is a Silicon Valley operator turned global advocate for women-led innovation and ethical technology. As the founder of FundHER, she has helped over 100 women tech founders scale their startups across Europe and North America. Previously, at Hayden AI, she played a key role in growing the company from 30 to 300 employees and from $1M to $30M in revenue in just two years. Now pursuing a PhD in AI ethics, Sarah bridges deep operational experience with research on gender and regional innovation. Her talks challenge the status quo and offer practical insights for building more inclusive, ethical tech ecosystems.
From Silicon Valley to Global Impact
Sarah Anto’s career is a story of scale, purpose, and innovation. Beginning her journey in Silicon Valley, she helped transform Hayden AI from an early-stage startup into a global player. During her tenure, the company expanded from 30 to 300 employees, growing revenue from $1M to $30M and securing multiple funding rounds. Her leadership in fundraising, European market entry, and operational strategy positioned Hayden AI as a pioneer in smart city technology. This experience laid the foundation for her future mission: to ensure that innovation includes and uplifts women worldwide.
Founder of FundHER
Driven by a vision of equity in technology, Sarah founded FundHER, a bootstrapped accelerator supporting women-led startups. Since its inception, FundHER has empowered over 100 founders across Europe and North America, equipping them with tools to secure capital, prove traction, and achieve sustainable growth. The program emphasizes real-world execution, connecting founders with investors and partners who believe in inclusive innovation. Under Sarah’s guidance, FundHER has become a community where women tech leaders thrive turning bold ideas into scalable businesses.
Championing Ethical AI and Gender Balance
In parallel with her entrepreneurial work, Sarah is pursuing a PhD in AI ethics, with a research focus on gender dynamics and regional differences between the U.S. and Europe. Her research explores how cultural, policy, and systemic factors influence women’s participation in emerging technologies. By combining academic rigor with real-world experience, she offers audiences a rare perspective on how ethical frameworks can be embedded into product design, data governance, and innovation policy.
Mentor, Leader, and Speaker
As a mentor at Techstars and Y Combinator, Sarah has guided early-stage founders through the complex processes of fundraising, team building, and market validation. Her approach is practical, empathetic, and grounded in lived experience. Founders describe her as a “strategic compass” someone who not only identifies growth opportunities but also helps them navigate challenges with clarity and confidence.
On stage, Sarah is known for her authenticity and impact. She has spoken at global conferences such as 4YFN Barcelona, Innovation Week Prague, and Smart City Expo, where she captivates audiences with insights on women in AI, ethical innovation, and inclusive funding models.
Book Sarah Anto for Your Event
When you book Sarah Anto, you bring to your event a dynamic voice bridging technology, ethics, and equity. Her keynotes inspire both emerging founders and established organizations to rethink how innovation is funded and built. Whether she’s discussing women’s leadership in tech, AI ethics, or sustainable scaling, Sarah leaves audiences with actionable strategies and a renewed sense of purpose.
Sarah Anto’s story is a testament to what happens when operational excellence meets advocacy. Her mission is clear: to create a future where technology is both powerful and fair and where women have equal opportunity to shape it.
Keynotes
Keynote by Sarah Anto:
Women Building the Future of AI
Explore how women are reshaping AI development through ethical frameworks, inclusive design, and innovative funding models.
This talk examines the systemic barriers in AI funding, highlights successful women-led AI ventures, and provides actionable strategies for building technology that serves diverse populations. Learn how to navigate bias in investment decisions and create AI solutions that reflect the full spectrum of human experience.
Keynote by Sarah Anto:
Strategic Fundraising
Navigate the evolving venture capital landscape with proven strategies for finding investors who align with your mission and values.
This session covers how to identify the right investors for your stage, craft compelling narratives that resonate with diverse funding sources, and build relationships that go beyond capital. Discover alternative funding mechanisms, understand what investors really look for, and learn how to position your startup for funding success in today's competitive market.
Keynote by Sarah Anto:
Breaking Bias
Challenge traditional AI risk assessment models that systematically overlook women-led innovation.
This talk unpacks how current risk frameworks perpetuate gender bias in funding decisions, presents data-driven insights on the superior performance of diverse teams, and offers concrete methods for redefining risk evaluation. Learn how to advocate for inclusive assessment criteria and demonstrate the business case for investing in women-led AI ventures.
Keynote by Sarah Anto:
The Power of Visibility
Master the art of strategic storytelling and personal branding to attract capital and opportunities.
This session explores how authentic visibility creates competitive advantage, techniques for building a compelling founder narrative, and practical methods for leveraging thought leadership to access funding networks. Discover how to communicate your vision effectively, build credibility in your industry, and use your unique story as a catalyst for growth and investment.
Keynote by Sarah Anto:
From Silicon Valley to Europe
Bridge the gap between American and European startup ecosystems while building scalable, inclusive AI companies.
Drawing from 15+ years of cross-continental experience, this talk compares funding landscapes, regulatory environments, and market opportunities across regions. Learn how to leverage the strengths of each ecosystem, navigate cultural differences in investment approaches, and build globally competitive AI startups that prioritize ethical development and inclusive innovation.
