Ayah Bdeir

Ayah Bdeir, a Lebanese-Canadian entrepreneur, engineer, and designer, has made significant strides in the fields of innovation and education. As the inventor of littleBits, she created a company that specializes in modular electronics kits aimed at enhancing learning and prototyping. In 2019, littleBits was acquired by Sphero, marking a pivotal moment in her entrepreneurial journey.

In addition to her work with littleBits, Bdeir co-founded Daleel Thawra, a vital resource that catalogs protests, initiatives, and donation opportunities related to the Lebanese Revolution. Her commitment to social change is evident in her advocacy for open-source hardware and her efforts to promote gender-neutrality in STEAM education.

Bdeir's influence extends into the Maker Movement, where she has played a crucial role in fostering creativity and innovation. She co-founded the Open Hardware Summit and has been recognized as a TED Senior Fellow, highlighting her contributions to the tech community.

Her achievements have not gone unnoticed; Bdeir was named one of BBC's 100 Most Influential Women and has graced the covers of prestigious publications such as The New York Times Magazine, WIRED, and the Wall Street Journal. Her inventions are part of the permanent collection at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and she holds over a dozen patents, showcasing her inventive spirit.