Anousheh Ansari

Anousheh Ansari is the CEO of XPRIZE, an organization recognized for designing and operating incentive competitions to address global challenges in technology and space exploration. An Iranian-American engineer and entrepreneur, Ansari has developed a career at the intersection of technology innovation, telecommunications, and commercial spaceflight. She holds a bachelor's degree in electronics and computer engineering and a master's degree in electrical engineering, both earned while working full-time in the telecommunications industry.

Ansari co-founded Telecom Technologies, Inc., a telecommunications software company that was named among Inc. magazine's 500 fastest-growing companies and included in Deloitte & Touche's Fast 500 technology companies. The company was later acquired by Sonus Networks, where Ansari served as vice president and general manager of the new division. She later co-founded Prodea Systems, an Internet of Things technology firm, where she serves as executive chairwoman.

Ansari became the first female private space explorer, the first astronaut of Iranian descent, and the first Muslim woman in space during an 11-day mission to the International Space Station. During her mission, she conducted experiments for the European Space Agency and published a weblog, marking a first for space travelers.

Ansari and her family sponsored the Ansari XPRIZE, a $10 million competition that helped launch the commercial spaceflight industry and highlighted the impact of incentive-based innovation. She co-founded The Billion Dollar Fund for Women to support investment in women-founded companies and serves on the World Economic Forum Global Future Council. Ansari has been recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and has received honors for her work in entrepreneurship and social impact. Her memoir, "My Dream of Stars," co-written with engineer Homer Hickam, details her journey in technology, entrepreneurship, and space exploration.