The latest candidate in our series of Q&As with influential women in the technology business is With Ibukun Elebute, COO & Co-Founder, CELLECT Laboratories, a health tech startup developing a passive, lab-compatible collection device for cervical and gynecological screening.
Name: Ibukun Elebute
Job Title & Company: COO/Co-Founder, CELLECT Laboratories
Years in the Industry: 10+ Years in the health tech industry
The Quote That Most Inspires You: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” (- Shirley Chisholm)
What drew you to a career in the consumer and/or business technology industry?
I’ve always wanted to help people. At first, I thought that meant becoming a doctor. But I soon realized there were other ways to make an impact. Studying biomedical engineering showed me how powerful tech could be in solving healthcare challenges. After working at a few startups, I saw that entrepreneurship was the path where I could drive real change and bring bold ideas like CELLECT to life.
Have you encountered any roadblocks along the way that were related to your gender?
Yes, definitely, and it’s layered. As a woman of colour building in a space like Canada, I’ve often felt the need to prove myself more just to be taken seriously. When the dominant voices in investment don’t personally relate to the problem you’re solving, it adds another level of distance. That’s why allies and advocates are so important. We can’t shift the system alone.
What unique characteristics or perspective do you feel you bring to your organization as a woman?
I bring lived experience that’s deeply tied to the problem we’re solving. As a woman who comes from an underserved background, I think a lot about who’s being left out and how we build differently to include them. This has shaped how we design, how we lead, and who we build for at CELLECT.
Technology is historically a male-dominated industry, yet the use of tech is fully embraced by women, and many studies even suggest that females are the primary buyers of tech in the home. What do you feel the technology industry needs to attract more women, particularly into high-level positions?
We need more visibility, more access, and more intentional support. Women, especially women of colour, often don’t see themselves represented in leadership, and that creates an invisible barrier. The tech industry needs to actively invest in mentorship, funding, and opportunities for women in not just entry-level, but pathways to leadership. Programs like The Forum have shown what’s possible when women are backed with the right support. As a founder, being part of communities like this has helped me feel seen, heard, and taken seriously, and that makes all the difference.
If you had to sum up what it is like being a woman in this male-dominated technology industry in just a few words, what would you say?
Building with grit, pitching with heart, and rewriting the rules as we go.
Are there women in the tech industry who inspire you?
Absolutely. Rachel Bartholomew is a major inspiration to my co-founder, CT, and I. She transformed her personal experience with cervical cancer into a mission to revolutionize pelvic health through Hyivy Health. Her work directly addresses the gaps in women’s healthcare, and her leadership in founding Femtech Canada has been pivotal in building a supportive ecosystem for companies like ours. Rachel exemplifies how lived experience, when combined with technical expertise and determination, can drive meaningful change in the industry.
What are some of the misconceptions/myths about women working in the technology space that you’d like to dispel?
One big myth is that women don’t “get” tech or can’t lead in technical roles. That couldn’t be further from the truth. My co-founder CT is a nanotech engineer who developed our patent-pending technology, and I’m a biomedical engineer with two degrees in the field. We’re not outliers. There are so many women doing incredible technical work, we’re just not always seen.
Another myth is that women only bring “soft skills.” In reality, we bring strategy, innovation, empathy, and relentless drive. Women are building the future of tech. We always have been.
What’s one thing you wish was done differently in the industry, and why?
I wish more decision-makers in the industry prioritized lived experience, especially when it comes to women’s health. So many products are built without truly understanding the people they’re meant to serve. If we listened more and co-created with those directly affected, we’d see better innovation, stronger impact, and fewer missed opportunities. Women’s needs shouldn’t be an afterthought, they should be the blueprint.
How do you feel the latest shift to AI will impact the way you do your job and opportunities for women in the industry?
AI has definitely helped improve my productivity, especially as a founder juggling many hats. But beyond that, it’s a powerful tool that could level the playing field for women if we’re actively involved in shaping how it’s built and used. If we’re not, it’ll only reinforce the same gaps we’re working to close.
Are you optimistic for the future in general and for the industry?
Absolutely. I’m hopeful because I see more women stepping up, building bold solutions, and refusing to settle for the status quo. It’s not easy, but the energy is shifting, and that gives me so much fire for what’s ahead.