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Flickr: Co-founded by Caterina Fake (2004) -

Caterina Fake co-founded Flickr, one of the earliest photo-sharing platforms that revolutionized how people stored and shared images online.

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Flickr: Co-founded by Caterina Fake (2004) -

Initially developed as a gaming feature, Flickr gained popularity and was acquired by Yahoo! in 2005. Fake's innovation in online photo sharing laid the groundwork for platforms like Instagram and Pinterest.

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HTC: Co-founded by Cher Wang (1997) -

Cher Wang co-founded HTC, a company that played a crucial role in the smartphone revolution. HTC was one of the first brands to manufacture Android phones and introduced many industry-first innovations.

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HTC: Co-founded by Cher Wang (1997) -

Wang, later serving as HTC's CEO, became one of the most influential women in tech, proving that female leaders can thrive in a male-dominated industry.

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Cisco: Co-founded by Sandy Lerner (1984) -

Sandy Lerner co-founded Cisco, a global leader in networking technology, with her then-husband Len Bosack. Their work on router technology enabled computers to communicate over long distances.

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Cisco: Co-founded by Sandy Lerner (1984) -

Though Lerner was later pushed out of the company, Cisco remains one of the most influential tech firms in the world.

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Eventbrite: Co-founded by Julia Hartz (2006) -

Julia Hartz co-founded Eventbrite, an online ticketing and event management platform that transformed how people organize and attend events.

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Eventbrite: Co-founded by Julia Hartz (2006) -

As CEO, Hartz led the company to an IPO in 2018, making Eventbrite a dominant force in the event industry.

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Build-A-Bear Workshop: Founded by Maxine Clark (1997) -

Maxine Clark founded Build-A-Bear Workshop after noticing a gap in the toy market for customizable stuffed animals.

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Build-A-Bear Workshop: Founded by Maxine Clark (1997) -

The brand became a worldwide sensation, proving that experiential retail could be both fun and profitable.

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Bumble: Founded by Whitney Wolfe Herd (2014) -

After leaving Tinder, Whitney Wolfe Herd founded Bumble, a dating app where women make the first move. Bumble also expanded into networking and friendship features.

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Bumble: Founded by Whitney Wolfe Herd (2014) -

In 2021, Wolfe Herd became the youngest woman to take a company public, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in tech entrepreneurship.

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23andMe: Co-founded by Anne Wojcicki (2006) -

Co-founded by Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe revolutionized direct-to-consumer genetic testing with at-home DNA kits, allowing individuals to explore ancestry and health risks.

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23andMe: Co-founded by Anne Wojcicki (2006) -

Despite early regulatory challenges, 23andMe transformed personal genetics, making it accessible to millions and paving the way for personalized medicine.

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BET (Black Entertainment Television): Co-founded by Sheila Crump Johnson (1980) -

Sheila Crump Johnson co-founded BET, the first television network dedicated to Black audiences. 

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BET (Black Entertainment Television): Co-founded by Sheila Crump Johnson (1980) -

As an entrepreneur, she played a crucial role in amplifying Black voices in entertainment and news. BET's success led to its acquisition by Viacom in 2001, making Johnson a billionaire.

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Spanx: Founded by Sara Blakely (1998) -

Sara Blakely launched Spanx with a simple but revolutionary idea: comfortable, body-smoothing shapewear. 

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Spanx: Founded by Sara Blakely (1998) -

With just US$5,000 in savings and no prior fashion experience, Blakely disrupted the lingerie industry and built a billion-dollar brand.

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Proactiv: Co-founded by Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields (1995) -

Dermatologists Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields co-founded Proactiv, a revolutionary acne treatment system. Their direct-to-consumer business model made high-quality skincare more accessible and affordable.

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Proactiv: Co-founded by Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields (1995) -

Proactiv became one of the best-selling acne solutions in the world, helping millions of people manage their skin health.

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Pepperidge Farm: Founded by Margaret Rudkin (1937) -

Margaret Rudkin founded Pepperidge Farm as a homemade solution for her son's allergies, eventually growing it into one of America's top baked goods brands. 

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Pepperidge Farm: Founded by Margaret Rudkin (1937) -

It later expanded into cookies and snacks before being acquired by Campbell Soup Company in 1961. 

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Canva: Co-founded by Melanie Perkins (2013) -

Melanie Perkins co-founded Canva to make graphic design simple and accessible to everyone, regardless of skill level. 

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Canva: Co-founded by Melanie Perkins (2013) -

The platform's user-friendly tools eliminated the need for complex design software. Today, Canva is a multibillion-dollar company used by individuals and businesses worldwide.

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The Body Shop: Founded by Anita Roddick (1976) -

The Body Shop, a British company founded by Anita Roddick, was launched to provide cruelty-free, ethically sourced beauty products.

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The Body Shop: Founded by Anita Roddick (1976) -

Long before sustainability became mainstream, Roddick proved that businesses could succeed while prioritizing ethics and social impact.

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Rent the Runway: Co-founded by Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss (2009) -

Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss co-founded Rent the Runway, an innovative fashion rental service that disrupted the traditional retail model.

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Rent the Runway: Co-founded by Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss (2009) -

Their platform allows customers to rent high-end clothing for special occasions and everyday wear, making luxury fashion more accessible while promoting sustainability.

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Liquid Paper: Founded by Bette Nesmith Graham (1956) -

Bette Nesmith Graham, a secretary, invented Liquid Paper after struggling with typewriter mistakes. Mixing a white, paint-like substance, she created the first correction fluid.

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Liquid Paper: Founded by Bette Nesmith Graham (1956) -

Despite early rejections, Nesmith Graham's business thrived, and she sold it to Gillette for US$47.5 million in 1979. Her innovation remains a staple in offices worldwide.

Sources: (Business Insider) (Mental Floss) (Bustle) 

See also: These women were the first in their fields

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