The Journey Amplified with Diana Virgovicova, founder and CEO of Xatoms, Forbes 30 Under 30

What does it look like when curiosity meets purpose at a young age?

In this episode of The Journey Amplified, we sit down with Diana Virgovičova, immigrant innovator, CEO & Founder of Xatoms, and one of the brightest minds in clean technology and material discovery.

At just 17 years old, Diana used quantum chemistry software to discover a sunlight-activated photocatalyst, earning a Diploma of Excellence from the Swedish Royal Family during World Water Week. That breakthrough set her on a path that led her from Slovakia to Canada, where she earned one of the country’s most prestigious university scholarships and began building technology with global impact.

Today, Diana leads Xatoms—using AI and quantum chemistry to build the world’s largest photocatalyst discovery platform, starting with water. With early backing from Alexis Ohanian (Founder of Reddit) and a mission to help provide clean water to over 2 billion people, Xatoms is redefining how new materials are discovered and deployed.

Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 North America (New Materials & Industry) and recognized as a Clean50 Emerging Leader for 2025, Diana shares her immigrant journey, scientific breakthroughs, leadership lessons, and her vision for the future of clean water and material innovation.

This episode is for anyone who believes innovation knows no borders.
Images used in this video are sourced from publicly available materials and Diana Virgovičova’s official website solely to support storytelling and educational commentary. All rights belong to their respective owners.

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