Sophie Deen

A former lawyer, techie and school counsellor, Sophie is the founder of Bright Little Labs - a media startup on a mission to create Sesame Street for a digital age.

Starting her career in law (Herbert Smith), Deen worked on internet strategy for regulators worldwide (SamKnows), learning about the transformative possibilities of technology and the growing digital divide. Deen also volunteered as a play therapist in a London primary school and this experience led her to pursue a career in edtech. She then joined Code Club, and worked with Google and the Department for Education, to devise a nationwide CPD training programme for primary school teachers in the new computing curriculum. She also worked on Code Club’s international strategy in over 80 countries.

A regular speaker at conferences on technology and education, the empowerment of women, and social impact, Deen also consults on all things edutech, including how to communicate tough concepts to a tough audience (kids under 12!) and teaching children to code. Deen encourages women into technology through outreach work and has been awarded Start-up Founder of the Year by FDM Everywoman, EDF's Pulse Award for inspiring children into STEM, and named as one of Computer Weekly's 'Most influential women in UK IT' 2017.

Her first story, Detective Dot, is about a nine-year-old coder and agent for the CIA (Children’s Intelligence Agency). The idea is to help teach kids - especially girls and underrepresented groups - to code.  Dot has reached over 30 countries, has Cabinet Office backing, and is launching in 22,000 schools in 2018 with the support of EDF Energy. Sophie is now creating an interactive world to edutain - games, animations and on-demand content.