Layla believes that all individuals deserve freedom. For her freedom includes not only basic human rights and economic empowerment but also freedom from one’s internal limitations and traumas.
Layla is currently building a company in digital health.
She believes education, entrepreneurship and personal development are enablers for freedom. Below are some highlighted prior experiences.
Startups
Little Bridge
Former Cofounder & COO
Little Bridge is a London-based, award-winning children's social community for learning English where Layla was cofounder and COO. Children learned English through games, stories and chatting with international friends. The company’s mission is to democratize access to the English language, something close to Layla’s heart given her own experience learning English as a second language.
At Little Bridge, Layla’s role included strategy, fundraising, growth in new markets, recruitment, and general business management. She led the company's financing round, raising capital from strategic investors including Biz Stone, cofounder of Twitter, to deliver an exceptional learning experience to over 200k children.
She led marketing projects, developed international business relationships and set up the business for operations in the United States. She was an active member of the Management Team and Board.
She transitioned from her role in fall of 2021 and now supports other startups and founders from her lived experiences at Little Bridge.
Imad’s Syrian Kitchen
Layla and Imad Alarnab, Syrian restaurant entrepreneur, chef, and refugee met in London at the height of the Syrian war through a human rights worker. Imad was working in the auto industry in London with hopes to rebuild the businesses he had lost in the war in Syria, in London.
Layla was Imad’s first advisor and led / coordinated a team of entrepreneurs, volunteers, and other paid staff including refugees to bring Imad’s first pop-up (and then many other pop-ups) to life. The pop-ups have raised more than £250k for Choose Love and Unicef and provided the seed capital to establish a permanent restaurant location. More here.
Layla supported Imad to develop the brand and restaurant ethos, advised on menu and location, identified and secured sponsors, and set up payments.
Layla continues to consult for Imad.
Led Special Projects (high-priority projects) for founders, with a focus on launching new verticals, developing scalable programs and paths for growth, and building corresponding communities. Drove growth sprints, developed program content and curated community and experience. Hosted programatic sessions on startup ecosystem and professional development.
On Deck
Unicef Innovation
Judge and advise for Unicef’s Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge for three years now. The program has supported more than 800 young people to develop big ideas for education, training and decent work.
Layla has experience as a community leader, builder and core contributor.
Communities
ICE is a family of tech startup Founders & Investors of all stages and experience, who share mutual trust and a passion to build. Layla is an active member and Cube moderator (peer group support with 7 other founders).
Sandbox is a community of entrepreneurs, journalists, academics, politicians, and influencers from 100+ countries who share common values and connect to grow, learn and create together. Layla led the London community (250+ people) for 2 years, organising retreats, workshops, and moderating the community to uphold values.
COO Stories is a community of startup/tech company COOs. Layla is an active contributor.