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I couldn’t imagine a better guest to explore the intersection of purpose, tech, and education than Dora Palfi, co-founder of Imagi. In this conversation, we dig deep into the evolution of an edtech company that started with a simple goal—to make tech more accessible to girls—and grew into a global platform teaching creative coding, AI literacy, and ethical thinking to the next generation.
From her early experiences as a neuroscience and computer science student to building a scalable business rooted in impact, Dora shares how curiosity, clarity, and bold decisions helped her redefine what a tech founder can look like – even to herself. This is a conversation about breaking self-imposed limits, leading with purpose, and creating space—for growth, for belonging, and for the future of tech.
From Brain Science to Business Building
As a child, Dora was endlessly curious—and endlessly energetic, managing up to 19 extracurricular activities at a time. I do not envy her schedule! Her blend of intellectual curiosity and staying on the move became a theme that carried through her academic and professional path.
She studied neuroscience and computer science at NYU Abu Dhabi, and it was thanks to her broad liberal arts curriculum that she learned the power of being a generalist and the value of adaptability—an essential skill for any entrepreneur. Her early career as a technologist provided a diverse set of experiences that she would later draw on as a founder.
Founding Imagi: A Mission Born from Frustration and Hope
Dora co-founded Imagi with her university best friend Beatrice, bonded by a shared experience: being among the few women in STEM and tech spaces. They saw firsthand how girls often lose confidence and interest in tech between the ages of 11 and 14—and decided to do something about it.
Imagi began with a simple, tangible product: the Imagi Charm, a programmable device that made learning to code fun and approachable in the Imagi App. Over time, it evolved into a platform for teaching coding and computational thinking in classrooms around the world. Today, Imagi combines hardware, software, and curriculum to reach students inclusively—without ever losing its focus on increasing diversity in tech. Teachers and students love it alike.
Lessons from the Entrepreneurial Journey
Dora is a first-time founder who speaks with the wisdom of a seasoned leader. Her reflections are honest, grounded, and full of insight for anyone building something new.
Here are a few lessons she shared:
✅ Your limitations are often self-imposed – From being “the girl on the seventh floor” in engineering to challenging investor assumptions, Dora’s journey has been about breaking free from limiting beliefs.
✅ Act first, confidence follows – One of her guiding mantras is that action breeds confidence. Progress starts by doing—even if imperfectly.
✅ Structure creates freedom – Dora is disciplined about time management and goal tracking. She schedules space for strategic thinking—without letting existential questions derail daily execution.
✅ Clarity is kindness – Inspired by Brené Brown, Dora sees feedback as a tool for growth. Clear expectations build trust, especially in early-stage teams. (and I was so happy she quoted my favourite – Brené Brown!)
✅ Find your way, not the expected one – Dora reminds us that it’s better to walk your own path imperfectly than to follow someone else’s perfectly.
The Heart of a Purpose-Driven Leader
What’s striking about Dora is not just her technical acumen or strategic focus—it’s her deep sense of purpose. As a certified yoga teacher, she carries an awareness of energy and well-being into her work. She blocks time for recharging. She sticks to the rituals that help her stay centered, even when travelling gets tough.
Her leadership is mission-first, people-centered, and structured without being rigid. She sees leadership as a form of storytelling—one where you’re constantly selling the vision not just to investors, but to your team and yourself.
And as tech evolves, so does her and Beatrice’s vision for Imagi. She’s committed to bringing computer science into classrooms in a way that is ethical, inclusive, and grounded in real understanding. Because in her words:
If kids don’t learn these concepts in school, where will they?
Join the Conversation
Dora’s story is a reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking better questions, breaking your own boundaries, and building something that matters. What did you take away from this episode? What boundaries are you ready to break?
Dora’s List
- Book: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
- Quote: “Action breeds confidence.”
- Word of the Year: Breaking Boundaries