Jessica Mansourati’s journey has been multifaceted, from growing up in a Stockholm suburb and earning a master’s degree from the Stockholm School of Economics to promoting Swedish innovations in the U.S. and developing her own startups. With her experience and passion for entrepreneurship, she now supports early-stage companies in Uppsala through UIC’s business development programs.
“My driving force is to help everyone, especially underrepresented founders, gain the same opportunities and resources. It’s about building strong communities where innovation and collaboration thrive.”
UIC’s newest business developer has a background spanning international business development, entrepreneurship, and innovation. She is now strengthening UIC’s team and creating more opportunities for startups in Uppsala. Jessica Mansourati grew up in the multicultural district of Hallonbergen outside Stockholm and has since called both Stockholm and Los Angeles home.
From Stockholm to Los Angeles – Now Supporting Entrepreneurs at UIC
With a master’s degree in management and marketing from the Stockholm School of Economics, Jessica has gained deep knowledge of customer and consumer behavior as well as psychology. She also has experience in founding and developing startups, including launching a social reading app, securing investments, and mentoring entrepreneurs both nationally and internationally. She is passionate about creating strong entrepreneurial communities where founders can support each other and share their experiences.
“My motivation is to help everyone. That includes enabling underrepresented founders to access the same opportunities as others. Everyone should be in the same room, meet the same people, and be part of the same networks. We need to challenge biases and acknowledge them in order to dismantle them. People with drive and a business idea should get the right exposure and access,” says Jessica Mansourati, business developer at UIC.
Jessica has participated in startup accelerators such as Antler and SSI Business Lab at the Stockholm School of Economics. Now, she brings her global experience to UIC.
“Loneliness leads to challenges we don’t talk about, which is why I wanted to start a company that makes a difference for others—addressing loneliness and fostering a sense of belonging. In thriving communities, a sense of connection is visible every day. That’s something I want to contribute to in Uppsala as well.”
From Startup Idea to Investment – Jessica’s Experience in Building Companies
After spending three years in Chicago and New York, Jessica returned to Sweden with the idea of transforming loneliness into something positive by building communities around shared interests. That’s when the idea of a digital platform for book lovers emerged.
“I joined the first cohort at the startup generator Antler, where I met my then co-founder, who wanted to enhance the reading experience for people. Reading has always been a big part of my life. We secured investment and launched the first social reading app, aimed at making information more accessible,” she explains.
During this period, Jessica was also part of SSI Business Lab, the Stockholm School of Economics’ accelerator. It was more than just a workspace—it was a network of driven entrepreneurs and business coaches. Being part of that energy was crucial for Jessica to stay motivated, something many solo entrepreneurs can relate to.
“I want to be in a place where I can drive change and see positive developments, where the energy I invest creates ripple effects that benefit others. You can make a difference—and you can do it in a short time,” says Jessica.
During her time at the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles, Jessica contributed to strengthening the Swedish entrepreneurial and entertainment community in the U.S., leading the chamber to its first-ever profit. Since then, she has continued working in PR and business development, including a role at Spotify Europe, where she actively helped promote the platform’s value.
“Through the paths I’ve taken and the countries I’ve lived and worked in, I’ve met people with diverse perspectives. I’ve gained knowledge through life experiences, studies, jobs, and interactions with other entrepreneurs. It’s an honor to have worked across various industries, and the network I’ve built has opened many doors for me. Now, I want to help others expand their networks as well,” Jessica concludes.
För mer information:
Jessica Mansuourati, Affärsutvecklare UIC Startup & Build
UIC
E-post: jessica.mansourati(@)uic.se