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SINGA Turns 10!
10 YEARS OF CREATING OPPORTUNITIES!
What happens when talent meets the right opportunities?
For the past ten years, SINGA Switzerland has been turning this question into concrete action, supporting people with refugee and migrant experiences in pursuing their entrepreneurial ambitions and contributing to the Swiss economy.
Our goal is simple: connecting talent with opportunities. Through our programmes and tailored support services, we build bridges between entrepreneurs, businesses, local networks and the resources they need to succeed, breaking down barriers and fostering sustainable socio-economic inclusion.
Based in Geneva and Zurich, we support entrepreneurs across Switzerland, with the ambition to expand our programmes and make entrepreneurship more accessible to people with refugee and migrant experiences. Our vision is to enable them to build on their skills, create jobs and contribute fully to local economies on an equal footing.
DEPUIS 10 ANS
Notre impact se traduit par des résultats concrets :
+600
+600
250
250
80
80
73%
73%
30+
30+
30
30
15+
15+
1
1
10 YEARS. 10 ENTREPRENEURS. 10 INSPIRING JOURNEYS.
Behind these numbers are real people, inspiring journeys and powerful stories of transformation. Talents recognised, ideas turned into businesses and new opportunities brought to life.
Among the many stories within our community, we are highlighting 10 entrepreneurs whose journeys show what becomes possible when talent has equal access to opportunities.
They arrived in Switzerland with skills, experience and ambitions, but faced barriers to having their expertise recognised. Through determination and entrepreneurial spirit, they carved their own paths, with SINGA by their side.
Discover their stories, the role SINGA has played in their journeys and, above all, the products, services and solutions they offer today in Geneva and Zurich, contributing to vibrant local economies.
Georgia Al-Zahr
Founder of Bab Simsim
Georgia Al-Zahr – Bab Simsim Restaurant
After a career in banking and business development in Syria, Georgia moved to Switzerland to begin a new chapter. Facing challenges in getting her expertise recognised, she decided to create her own opportunities. With SINGA’s support, she launched Georgia’s Bread before co-founding Bab Simsim, a restaurant in Geneva that celebrates Levantine cuisine and culture, bringing people together around the table.
Rabaa Humam
founder of NouriCare
Rabaa Humam – NouriCare
After a background in logistics and NGOs in Yemen, Rabaa rebuilt her future in Switzerland after fleeing the war. Inspired by her desire to offer two friends battling cancer a natural alternative to conventional cosmetics, she developed her business idea. With SINGA’s support, she founded NouriCare in Geneva. Today, her brand offers 100% natural, ethical skincare inspired by Yemeni beauty traditions, combining artisanal craftsmanship with Swiss quality.
Yohana Montoya
founder of auntie joy
Yohana Montoya – Auntie Joy
After 16 years in journalism and communications in Colombia, Yohana faced challenges in getting her professional experience recognised in Switzerland. She turned her passion for animals into a business opportunity. With SINGA’s support, she founded Auntie Joy in Geneva. Today, her personalised pet-sitting service offers professional, attentive care built on trust and animal well-being.
Olga Johnson
founder of Christie's Bakery
Olga Johnson – Christie’s Bakery
After a career as a bank director in Ukraine, Olga arrived in Switzerland with extensive professional experience but faced challenges in putting it to use. Driven by her passion for baking, she founded Christie’s Bakery in Geneva. With support from SINGA’s Accelerator programme, she expanded her business and now runs two cafés in the city. Her company has also become the first employer of Ukrainian refugees in Geneva.
Hafez A. Chammat
founder of boundless consultancy
Hafez A. Chammat – Boundless Consultancy
A legal professional in Syria, Hafez saw his ambition of becoming a judge interrupted by the war. Arriving in Switzerland as a refugee, he overcame language barriers and resumed his law studies. Inspired by his own administrative challenges, he founded Boundless Consultancy in Geneva. With support from SINGA’s Accelerator programme, he has grown his business and now offers legal and administrative consulting services, particularly in the field of migration.
Nigist Goytom & Or Feldman
co-founder of Bee Educate
Nigist Goytom & Or Feldman – Bee Educate
An architect in Ethiopia, Nigist, and an educational technology specialist in Israel, Or, turned a family challenge into a business opportunity. Faced with a lack of resources to pass on their native languages to their children, they founded Bee Educate by HA in Zurich. With SINGA’s support in expanding their business, they now promote language learning and cultural heritage, with projects reaching as far as Mozambique.
Divya Shori
founder of Re:Nova Switzerland
Divya Shori – Re:Nova Switzerland
After a career in marketing and branding in India, Divya faced the challenge of rebuilding her professional network in Switzerland. Convinced that responsible fashion requires full transparency, she decided to take action. With SINGA’s support, she founded Re Switzerland in Zurich. Today, her circular fashion business connects the craftsmanship of Indian artisans with local consumers, promoting ethical fashion rooted in sustainability and transparency.
Fernanda Martinez
founder of GlowMango
Fernanda Martinez – GlowMango
After a career in international trade in Mexico, Fernanda faced challenges in putting her professional experience to use in Switzerland. Noticing a lack of skincare products suited to teenagers, she decided to address this gap. With SINGA’s support, she founded Glow Mango in Zurich. Today, her brand offers natural cosmetics that combine safe formulas for young skin with creativity and self-confidence.
Irina Ostreiko
founder of GetSetGlow
Irina Ostreiko – GetSetGlow
Originally from Russia, Irina arrived in Switzerland with over 25 years of experience in the beauty industry, but without a local professional network or knowledge of German. Determined to build on her expertise, she founded GetSetGlow Institute in Zurich. Today, her beauty and wellness studio continues to grow, building a loyal clientele and creating local jobs.
Maria & Viacheslav
co-founder of gavel
Maria & Viacheslav – GAVEL
Originally from Ukraine, Maria and Viacheslav arrived in Switzerland as refugees, bringing their tailoring expertise with them. Faced with the challenge of rebuilding their professional lives, they decided to put their skills to use by founding GAVEL in Zurich. Today, their premium tailoring atelier offers bespoke clothing, complex alterations and garment restoration, combining craftsmanship with sustainability.