Katie Lewis grew up in New Zealand and moved to the UK after studying International Business (BCom) and Psychology (BA) at the University of Otago.

She soon realised London provided her a fantastic opportunity to work within a buzzing and emerging start-up ecosystem (in 2010). She spent several years at an early-stage VC, then running an Accelerator company through which she has supported 1000s of companies to raise investment in the UK and abroad.

She is currently COO at a high growth scaleup, ThisIsAspire.com working with the world's largest organisations to upskill their talent to launch new products/services to drive growth through new business models & routes to market (including partnering with and buying from startups).

In 2011 she cofounded 9others, bringing people together in a supportive, trusting environment to give those going through the trials and tribulations of building a business a sense of community and belonging.

Katie lives with her husband Nigel, in Kingston Upon Thames, UK where she enjoys Olympic Weight Lifting, reading and gardening.