Former Founder of Robogals, Co-Founder of Aipoly, Founder & CEO of Aubot Robotics Company Entrepreneur

Marita Cheng is an award-winning entrepreneur, robotics engineer, and advocate for women in STEM. She is the founder of Robogals, a nonprofit that has expanded across four continents to inspire girls into engineering and technology. She also co-founded Aipoly, an AI-powered app that assists the visually impaired, and is the founder of Aubot, a robotics company specialising in telepresence. Named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and recognised as one of the World’s Top 50 Women in Technology, Marita’s visionary contributions have positioned her as a leading voice at the intersection of technology, innovation, and social impact.

Credentials and Impact

Marita’s influence spans technology strategy, policy, and global advocacy. She has held board positions with the Foundation for Young Australians, where she shaped youth and technology initiatives, and served on RMIT University’s New Enterprise Investment Fund board alongside Eddie McGuire, helping to guide startup investments. She also sat on the Victorian State Innovation Expert Panel, advising government on innovation policy, and contributed to global health technology strategy as a member of the Clinton Health Access Initiative’s Technology Advisory Board.

In 2011, Marita was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study international science education programmes for girls across the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Jamaica. That same year, she received the Anita Borg Institute Change Agent ABIE Award and was named Victorian Young Australian of the Year.

Her involvement in global innovation networks includes participation in Singularity University’s flagship Graduate Studies Programme at NASA Ames in 2015, where she developed Aipoly and earned a $40,000 Google scholarship. Through these advisory and fellowship roles, Marita continues to amplify her impact, shaping education, technology policy, and innovation ecosystems both in Australia and internationally.

Publications and Media

Marita Cheng writes reflective blog posts on her website, covering topics such as No Electronics Day, My Lockdown Life, and The Worst That Can Happen, which provide insight into her creativity, mindset, and experiences. She also authored ‘Smart Girl Books: Marita Cheng’, the world’s first children’s book memoir using generative AI to inspire girls into STEM. Her media presence includes ABC’s Q&A, The New Inventors, and features in Vogue Australia, InStyle, and The Australian Women’s Weekly.

Why Hire Marita Cheng?

Marita Cheng is an exceptional choice for events seeking an inspiring, future-focused speaker. Having delivered multiple TEDx talks, including “If the Blind Could See”, “Ideas That Travel”, and “We Need to Teach Our Kids to be Makers”, she is experienced in captivating global audiences. Marita brings a unique blend of deep technical knowledge and compelling storytelling, connecting innovation to real-world impact in ways that resonate with professionals, educators, and students alike.

Her client list includes industry leaders such as Google, Unilever, and Samsung, where her talks have sparked innovation and inspired change. Whether addressing technology, entrepreneurship, or the importance of diversity in STEM, Marita is as engaging as she is educational. She offers practical insights drawn from her entrepreneurial journey while motivating audiences with her passion for building technology that changes lives. Booking Marita ensures an unforgettable and transformative experience for any conference or corporate event.

To book Marita to speak at your event, call SpeakOut on +44 (0) 20 8914 8966. Alternatively, complete our contact form to begin your enquiry.