Founded by a Ukrainian refugee, Proofa combines cutting-edge AI oversight with a deeply human-centric mission, aiming for the live pitch finals in Prague this October.

Ahlen, GERMANY — July 2026 — Proofa, an innovative startup dedicated to protecting human rights and ensuring human oversight in AI-driven processes, has achieved a major international milestone. The company has been selected as one of the Top 10 semifinalists for the prestigious Best Female Startup competition at Innovation Week.

The recognition highlights not only Proofa’s advanced technology but also its strong commitment to creating a fair, human-centric innovation ecosystem. Led by founder and CEO Anna, a refugee from Ukraine, the Proofa team is building a company deeply rooted in collaboration, empathy, and diversity.

"Our dream has never just been about building a successful platform," says Anna, Founder & CEO of Proofa. "It’s about creating the kind of company where true collaboration and human support come first. In the era of AI, genuine human collaboration is the only way we don't just survive, but truly thrive."

Diversity and Mission in Action

Proofa's core values are directly reflected in its daily operations. The team is currently actively working on relocating its incredibly talented co-founder and CTO, Saheed, from Nigeria. By bridging geographical boundaries, the co-founders—Anna, Denys (COO), Saheed (CTO), and Heorhii (SMM)—are proving that international cooperation is key to solving the complex ethical and technical challenges of today's tech landscape.

The Next Stop: Prague

With this semifinalist spot secured, Proofa now has its sights set on entering the Top 5. Achieving this milestone will allow the team to pitch live in front of leading international investors and venture capital representatives in Prague this October.

About Proofa: Proofa is a next-generation tech platform focused on protecting human creativity, rights, and control within AI-driven systems. By combining strict ethical safeguards with advanced technical processing, Proofa ensures that humans remain firmly in the driver’s seat of technology.