Alicia Navarro: The Visionary Tech Entrepreneur Transforming Remote Work and Startup Culture
In today’s fast-paced digital world, where remote work and virtual connectivity have become the norm, few leaders have made as significant an impact as Alicia Navarro. As a serial tech entrepreneur and innovator, Alicia has carved a niche for herself by blending product vision, cultural leadership, and deep work philosophies into pioneering ventures. Best known as the Founder and CEO of FLOWN, a groundbreaking virtual co-working platform, Alicia’s journey is a compelling story of innovation, resilience, and influence in the tech industry.
Early Life and Education: Foundations of Excellence
Alicia Navarro’s story begins with a strong academic background and early passion for technology. She graduated as the top student in Computing Science from the University of Technology Sydney in 1998, an achievement that marked her as an exceptional talent in a male-dominated field. During her studies, she also served as President of the Computer Society and was a Women in IT delegate, roles that honed her leadership skills and deepened her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in technology.
Her education not only provided a solid technical foundation but also instilled a vision of technology’s power to transform lives. This early exposure to leadership and academic excellence paved the way for a career dedicated to innovation, entrepreneurship, and community building.
Entrepreneurial Journey: From Skimlinks to FLOWN
Alicia’s entrepreneurial journey is both inspiring and instructive. In 2007, she co-founded Skimlinks, a content monetisation platform that transformed how online publishers earn revenue from commerce-related content. As CEO for 11 years, Alicia led Skimlinks to become a global leader in content-to-commerce monetisation, partnering with millions of websites and thousands of retailers worldwide. The company’s success culminated in its acquisition by Connexity in 2020, a significant milestone reflecting Alicia’s visionary leadership and operational expertise.
However, Alicia’s ambition and innovation did not stop there. In 2020, amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, she launched FLOWN, a virtual co-working platform designed to tackle the twin challenges of distraction and isolation faced by remote workers. The platform leverages the neuroscience concept of ‘body doubling’—working alongside others synchronously—to boost focus, accountability, and well-being.
FLOWN has been described as a “Peloton for work,” creating an online accountability village where individuals and teams come together in live, facilitated focus sessions. This innovative approach addresses a growing societal need as remote and hybrid work models become entrenched across industries.
The Philosophy Behind FLOWN: Focus, Flow, and Connection
At the heart of FLOWN is Alicia’s passion for deep work and flow states. She recognises that in an era dominated by digital distractions, maintaining sustained attention is both difficult and essential for professional success and mental health.
FLOWN’s unique model utilises structured group sessions and drop-in ‘virtual library’ environments where participants work silently on camera alongside others. The ‘body doubling’ effect harnesses the brain’s mirror neurons to encourage productivity by mimicking observed behaviours—much like studying in a library or attending a gym class.
Beyond productivity, FLOWN addresses the emotional and psychological toll of remote work. By fostering community and synchronous connection, it helps combat loneliness and isolation, enhancing overall well-being.
Extensive Professional Experience and Leadership Roles
In addition to her leadership at FLOWN, Alicia Navarro has amassed a wealth of experience across multiple facets of the tech and startup ecosystem:
-
Chairperson at Yourkeys (2019–2021): Alicia advised the founders and executive team of this innovative platform designed to streamline new-build property sales. Her strategic guidance helped position Yourkeys for acquisition by Zoopla in 2021, reflecting her ability to drive growth and governance in tech ventures.
-
Founder & CEO at Navarland (2018–Present): Alongside Cat Navarro, Alicia supports startups from early stages through Series B funding, focusing on culture, leadership, brand building, talent management, and fundraising. This advisory role draws on her extensive founding experience and passion for helping new entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls.
-
Advisor at Provenance (2018–Present): Alicia lends her expertise to this blockchain-powered transparency platform that helps brands communicate their supply chain impact, showcasing her interest in innovative technology for social good.
-
Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Roles: Alicia has served as EIR at several seed investment firms including Breega and First Minute Capital. In these roles, she mentors portfolio companies on product strategy, scaling, leadership, and company culture, helping them navigate the complexities of growth.
-
Early Career: Alicia’s professional roots include roles in mobile solutions, product management, and online advertising with companies like Vodafone, IBM Global Services, Fairfax Media, and Smart Global. These experiences contributed to her holistic understanding of technology, product development, and market dynamics.
Commitment to Startup Culture and Mentorship
Alicia Navarro is more than a founder and CEO; she is a passionate advocate for entrepreneurial culture and leadership. Her coaching and mentoring focus on helping founders and leadership teams develop resilient company cultures, improve management skills, and build strong investor relationships.
She emphasises learning from mistakes and cultivating self-awareness, encouraging startup leaders to foster environments that balance innovation with operational discipline. Through Navarland and her EIR engagements, Alicia actively shapes the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
Impact and Recognition
Over her career, Alicia has earned numerous accolades reflecting her influence and success:
-
Winner of the Everywoman in Technology Entrepreneur of the Year award (2014)
-
Featured on the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 list (#17 in 2014)
-
Member of the Tech City Future Fifty (2014)
-
Finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2013)
-
Recipient of multiple affiliate marketing and innovation awards with Skimlinks
These recognitions underscore Alicia’s role as a trailblazer in technology entrepreneurship and innovation.
The Future Vision: Redefining Work and Connection
Looking ahead, Alicia Navarro is committed to evolving FLOWN into a broader organisational operating system for remote and hybrid teams. Her vision includes integrating neuroscience-backed productivity methods with social connection to foster healthier, more engaged workforces.
She envisions FLOWN as a “live LinkedIn,” where synchronous professional networking and communal focus go hand-in-hand to empower individuals and enterprises in a changing work landscape.
Conclusion
Alicia Navarro stands out as a dynamic force in the technology and startup world—a leader who combines technical expertise, entrepreneurial grit, and a profound understanding of human behaviour. From her early academic achievements to founding multimillion-dollar companies and pioneering remote work solutions, Alicia’s journey exemplifies innovation and impact.
Her work continues to address pressing challenges of our time, particularly the demands of modern work environments, helping professionals navigate distractions and isolation with renewed focus and community. As FLOWN grows and Alicia’s influence expands, she remains a key figure shaping the future of work and startup culture worldwide.
