Dr. Salima Bhimani’s remarkable career spans tech giants, top universities, NGOs, and every level of government. But it’s one staggering statistic that fuels her mission at 10X Responsible Tech, where she serves as founder and self-described Moonshot Maven:
Here’s the statistic: 85% of the world’s population lives in the Global South—yet most high-value products are built in the Global North.
This disconnect isn’t just ironic—it’s costly. It signals a massive oversight: the needs, voices, and potential of the majority have been sidelined, framed as a “niche” rather than a global imperative. Salima is out to change that.
Through 10X Responsible Tech, she’s claiming overlooked markets, addressing real human needs, and unlocking untapped trillions by designing tech that listens—and responds—with intention.
But there’s more to her mission than data points and strategy. Read on to explore the mindsets, rituals, and radical vision that power Salima’s work—and how she’s building technology for a world that’s ready to be seen.
How do you personally define success? In what ways does this definition guide both your business and personal life?
Success isn’t something I can claim on my own. It’s a reflection of how I contribute to the world, as perceived by others. When your efforts create a ripple effect that expands people’s humanity, opportunities, and lives, that’s when gradual but significant shifts occur. This doesn’t happen in a neat and tidy way; it’s messy, dynamic, and often unconventional.
My core value and desire is that everyone on this Earth lives their highest life. What that means and looks like is different for every person, context, and culture. But the foundation should be well-being. Everything I do is working backward from that North Star.
With this direction, both my business and personal life are a constant work in progress, morphing as the world does. When I look back on my life, it’s not the successes that will matter. Instead, I will celebrate how I met life with courage and curiosity to audaciously create big ripples in the world.
How do you balance the demands of entrepreneurship with your physical and emotional health? What specific tools or practices have you integrated into your daily routine to maintain mental well-being?
My practice has evolved throughout my life. I began meditating at five years old. Over the years, what meditation is, why I do it, and what it looks like have shifted. My needs evolve all the time, but my practice also changes from week to week. I’ve learned to be attentive to what my body and mind need at any given moment.
To achieve this self-awareness, I’ve cultivated a deep connection with myself and learned to trust what my body, thoughts, and emotions are saying. Developing this level of self-awareness takes time, but it’s been fundamental for me. It’s also helped me keep the commercial pressures (the kind that proclaim that a specific practice or product will “fix” you) at bay.
Recently, I needed help processing significant life changes: becoming a mother in my late 40s, navigating postpartum and menopause, and taking another entrepreneurial leap. I felt overwhelmed, stressed, and disconnected from myself. My mind was cloudy and my body didn’t feel like mine. For the first time, I couldn’t find a healthy baseline. My usual practices—dance, tai chi, meditation, and acupuncture—weren’t enough.
Seeking a more embodied approach than traditional talk therapy, I discovered equine therapy, where you process your experiences working with horses. Having had little interaction with animals growing up, this was a complete stretch for me. That was precisely what I needed! Horses have taught me to approach wellness with a renewed presence in my body, a gentle yet strong sense of self, and humility—qualities these majestic animals demand.
This experience has broadened my approach to my changing physical and emotional health, which ultimately supports me in shaping my entrepreneurial journey in a way that feels right for me today.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your entrepreneurial journey so far?
A healthy dose of detachment from your vision and desired outcomes allows you the freedom to fail, pivot, and stay creative and untethered. This prevents you from getting trapped in thought patterns or actions that simply reproduce stagnant results, hindering the growth of your business, product, or service.
In my early years, I lacked this perspective and wasted months clinging to ideas and pursuing projects solely because I was attached to the initial vision. But over the last decade, I’ve realized that true innovation arises from the space between what we know today and what’s waiting to be discovered, created, and shared with the world.
“True innovation arises from the space between what we know today and what’s waiting to be discovered, created, and shared with the world.”
What advice would you give to other women wanting to start or grow businesses in an intentional way?
From the outset, approach your business as a collective endeavor. Building a business is multifaceted and demands significant personal investment. Honestly assess where to focus your time and energy, as well as where to leverage other expertise. Bringing in others not only allows you to be a strategic leader, but also enriches your vision. Their diverse perspectives can spark unexpected ideas and creative solutions, ultimately leading to a stronger business and product. Plus, collaborating with others makes the entrepreneurial journey less isolating. In my own experience, the people I’ve worked with have made me a better entrepreneur and founder.
Salima is a member of Dreamers & Doers, an award-winning community that amplifies extraordinary women entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders by securing PR, forging authentic connections, and curating high-impact resources. Learn more about Dreamers & Doers and get involved here.