TERN, the UK’s leading refugee business network has just launched Anqa, Europe’s first marketplace for refugee-led businesses. The platform features an array of 8 cutting-edge brands and 80 products for customers to buy online.
By SWB Team
Spearheaded by TERN, the UK’s leading refugee business network, Europe’s first marketplace for refugee-led businesses has just seen the light: Meet Anqa.
Named after a legendary bird in Arabian mythology, Anqa is a brand collective led by refugee founders, which showcases exciting products and services emerging from a new generation of refugee-led businesses.
The platform aims to celebrate the entrepreneurs in TERN’s community, showcasing an array of 8 cutting-edge brands and nearly 80 products for customers to buy online.
The platform features founders like Majeda Khoury, a chef, human rights and feminist activist from Syria, who founded Syrian Sunflower kitchen, a platform that offers cooking courses online. Majeda fled to the UK in 2017 after being imprisoned and having to leave her home country because of her human rights work. Since arriving in London, she has used her food as a way of bringing people together and raising awareness about the effects of the war in Syria on its civilian population.
The collective also includes Maria Igwebuike, founder of Maria Callisto, a handmade lingerie brand that celebrates and empowers sensuality. Inspired by burlesque dance, black and white film and vintage fashion, we aim to create timeless lingerie with a vibrant twist. Sustainability is key. Maria Callisto lingerie is created from beautiful and unique fabric offcuts that deserve a second chance.
Maria is originally from Nigeria and has lived in the UK for over ten years. She has always been obsessed with fashion and went from sewing clothes for her dolls as a child to studying lingerie pattern-making at the London College of Fashion. Inspired by this, she launched her own ethically sourced, sustainable, and body positive lingerie label last year.
The marketplace features innovative businesses that break the mould, including Teem Khan, a gender-fluid fashion label founded by Teem Khan; Mosaic Boards, a series of carefully designed mindfulness tools created by Syrian architect and entrepreneur Wisam Elhamoui; and and Tasvir, a hand-painted clothing brand created by Iranian artist, designer and fashion student Tasala Seifi.
Take a look at the collection and meet all the entrepreneurs here.
