Meet ‘Carla’, the new AI tool for women entrepreneurs, inspired by Carla Zampatti

This article was first published in SmartCompany

The name of Carla Zampatti, the legendary Australian fashion designer and business leader, graces a new artificial intelligence chatbot tailored to mentor women entrepreneurs and guide them to helpful resources.

Enterprising ME, a government-funded platform supporting women building businesses and startups, debuted the new ‘Carla’ chatbot and concierge at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday.

It bears the name of a woman who pioneered Australian post-war fashion, built one of the country’s most recognisable labels, and inspired generations of entrepreneurs across a glamorous and decades-long career.

Users can directly ask ‘Carla’ for assistance, with the free chat interface capable of answering common business questions, like how to amplify social media reach, register a trademark, or hire staff members.

Enterprising ME also offers a ‘Carla concierge’, guiding entrepreneurs to resources from government agencies, startup agencies like LaunchVic, and accelerators like Y Combinator.

The chatbot does not directly emulate the late Carla Zampatti, her views, or tone of voice.

In a statement provided to SmartCompany, Enterprising ME program director Fleur Anderson described Zampatti as a “muse” for a tool that will help women “pursue their ambitions fearlessly”.

Alex Schuman, son of the late Carla Zampatti and CEO of the Carla Zampatti label, said the chatbot was in keeping with her entrepreneurial spirit and efforts to carve a new path for women in business.

“Mum believes deeply in creating opportunities for women to lead on their own terms,” said Schuman of Zampatti, who died in 2021.

“Seeing her name attached to an innovation that helps women build their businesses and shape the future of AI feels incredibly fitting.”

The tool, built in partnership with tech consultancy Revium, is trained on the insights and experiences of real-world women entrepreneurs and mentors.

Sana Rizvee, Lead Business analyst at Revium, said: “We’ve laid the foundation for something powerful. Carla has been shaped by real founder experiences, but it’s the real-world feedback that will take her to the next level. Seeing this evolve with the people it was built for, that’s the part I’m most excited about.”

Noting fears that AI tools can entrench gender bias by parroting sexist tropes, Enterprising ME says ‘Carla’ was built to “challenge bias, not replicate it”.

‘Carla’ comes after months of development. As early as June, Enterprising ME ran a prototype AI chatbot on its website, allowing users to roadtest and provide feedback on what would eventually become ‘Carla’.

Users can access the ‘Carla’ AI chatbot here.

Its launch coincides with the 2025 Kickstarter Challenge Grand Final, a program run by Enterprising ME providing equity-free funding to five women-led startups.

The finalists include:

• Storm Menzies, founder of ByStorm Beauty, which creates accessories making the application of makeup and cosmetics easier for those living with a disability, chronic pain, or injury,

• Lindy Hua, whose business CO2 LAB is creating an AI-powered tool to help businesses analyse their carbon ledger and meet new accounting standards,

• Lisa Cohen and Lianne Kady, founders of Elevated Educators, which creates online courses, live workshops, and coaching resources for teachers,

• Shehara Pillai, whose platform PlayPass helps parents of children aged 0-5 discover and book activities suitable for their young ones,

• And Cordelia King, founder of Superstat, an AI-powered tool helping sports coaches track important stats using game footage.

Each will receive $7,500 in funding, along with mentoring opportunities, while the overall winner will receive $30,000 to continue growing their business.

The Kickstarter Challenge winner will be presented by Governor-General Sam Mostyn.

Mostyn will also recognise 11-year-old Ayla Armanwood as the winner of the Academy for Enterprising Girls’ 2025 Enterprising Girl of the Year, for her business Grounded Beauty, which turns coffee grounds into body scrubs and soaps.

Curious to learn how your team can build their own custom chatbot? Learn more about how Revium can support your AI journey here.