Ese Eniwumide

Ese Eniwumide is the co-founder of Happaning, where she combines her experience in finance, fintech, and startups with her passion for creating and building. A wife and mother of two, her journey from investment banking to innovation was inspired by visiting her mother’s village in Nigeria, where she discovered the value of diverse perspectives.

Digital media faces three major challenges today: the rise of misinformation, lack of meaningful engagement, and limited immersion. Happaning’s ViiVid technology, a revolutionary multi-view video format, addresses these by enabling viewers to navigate through multiple video perspectives seamlessly, like Google Street View but with video. The platform uses blockchain to verify time and place, detecting deep-fakes while making storytelling more inclusive and accessible.

“At Happaning, our mission is to amplify voices, celebrate diverse perspectives, and redefine storytelling through innovation. We believe in creating authentic, immersive experiences that connect people and empower communities to share their stories in meaningful ways,” says Ese.

Her achievements include securing several UK Government SMART grants and winning the European Social Innovation Challenge People’s Choice Award. Happaning has earned recognition from TechCrunch, SXSW, and Sir Richard Branson, with successful pitches at the Cannes Film Festival.

“I’m excited about the opportunities this brings, not only to advance Happaning’s mission but also to inspire other women and underrepresented voices to pursue their own bold ideas,” says Ese about winning the Women in Innovation Award.

“One of the barriers I have overcome as a woman entrepreneur is gaining access to the right networks and funding opportunities. I addressed this by creating opportunities for myself – pitching at international conferences, building relationships with investors, and sharing my story authentically.”

Her advice to aspiring women innovators: “Own your story and trust in the value of your unique perspective. The challenges you’ve faced and the experiences you bring are not barriers – they’re your superpower.”

For more information on Women in Innovation

Find out more about the Women in Innovation Award and other support available across the Innovate UK ecosystem on the Women in Innovation programme page.