Female Founders News #7 – October 2023

Female Founders & Femtech News #7 – October 2023
Female entrepreneurs continue to showcase their innovative prowess with groundbreaking solutions that have captivated juries, attracted investors and even drawn the attention of international news outlets.

Judith Eberley and Robert Ruttmann, co-founders of Urban Connect, were awarded the EY Startup of the Year Award in the “Emerging Entrepreneur” category. Their startup, Urban Connect, is Zurich’s first truly CO2-neutral mobility platform. It offers an ecosystem of low-emission shared vehicles like e-scooters, e-bikes, and e-cars, along with access to public transport. The startup handles the procurement and management of the vehicles, and employees of connected companies can book and unlock them via a dedicated app. Several large Swiss companies such as Bühler, Lonza, and Roche utilise this solution.

Two startups stood out on global stages last month: Spring Acts won the “Europe’s best social innovation” at the Social Innovation Tournament with its solution Sophia Chatbot, a 24/7 digital companion for survivors of domestic violence that offers anonymous support in 12 languages. Matis’ CEO Marie Eve Didier won the  Female Founder award at the Supernova Pitch Competition held in Dubai at Expand North Star. Her startup, Matis, provides an optical imaging solution for art professionals that uses machine learning to reveal the essence of artworks by extracting their chemical and digital fingerprints and producing quantifiable expertise with end-to-end encryption and a secure, unique database.

Earkick’s AI-powered mental health companion gained international exposure when it was featured in Times. Journalist Jamie Ducharme delved into the topic of AI-supported mental health care, featuring Swiss startup Earkick by Karin Stephan.

Still on mental health, Klenico, led by Laura Henrich, developed a novel diagnostic tool called the Klenico system to capture the complexity and diversity of mental disorders. Recent clinical study results show that Klenico is a valid digital tool capable of providing targeted and efficient support to professionals in diagnosing mental illnesses, thus contributing to evidence-based diagnoses and therapies.

Funding from different sources

Several startups received funding in different forms, enabling them to advance their development. ETH Zurich spin-off Citus secured funding in the form of a convertible loan to accelerate its skin health solution, NIMBLE. The product has already been used in several clinical trials to characterise changes in the mechanics of skin. Venture Capital (VC) firms are also pushing Eat by Alex forward with an investment of CHF 850’000.  Beyond Scroll, the startup led by Marianna Fighera got FIT Boost while AgroSustain and Terapet won EU-funded projects, in which their technologies will be deployed to develop solutions that help plants adapt to changing climatic conditions and in the creation of Carbon ion therapy.  HeroSupport was granted CHF 150’000 after winning the Venture Kick finale.

The VC landscape is being shaken up by the newly launched firm emma Ventures, which has emerged in times where talks on diversity are getting louder. With diversity at its core, the firm aims to support underrepresented entrepreneurs with different cultural and educational backgrounds, genders, races and beyond.

The recent appointments in startup teams and the Board of Directors also showcased diversity in practice. Nanci Govinder was appointed chairperson at Lymphatica, Asceneuron welcomed Barbara Angehrn as its Chief Executive Officer and Oculis appointed Rebecca Weil to the position of Chief Operation Officer. The new edition of the Swiss version of the shark Tank program “Die Schweizer Höhle der Löwen” features three women in the Lion’s den. The program broadcasts every Tuesday at 20:15 on 3Plus.

Veröffentlicht am November 04, 2023
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Female Founders News #15 – August 2024

Female Founders News #15 – August 2024

Startups in the biotech sector are making strides in the development of new solutions for various medical challenges, putting female founders in the spotlight. Beyond their achievements, the growing participation of female-led businesses in startup initiatives highlights the dynamic and inclusive nature of the Swiss startup ecosystem, paving the way for more female-led ventures to thrive.
Female Founders News #14 – July 2024

Female Founders News #14 – July 2024

The prevalence of funding-related news in our reporting is not without reason; indeed, there is a constant influx of capital into startups - even in female-led ventures. This investment fuels these nascent businesses, enabling them to operate, innovate, and grow. However, not all companies are equally successful in attracting investors, which can lead to ceasing operations.
Female Founders News #13 – June 2024

Female Founders News #13 – June 2024

Funding female-led ventures has remained a topic of discussion in the startup scene as investment activities in this segment are slow. Nevertheless, recent successes prove that promising startups can raise significant capital.
Female Founders News #12 – May 2024

Female Founders News #12 – May 2024

The spotlight shines the brightest on the trailblazers – startup founders who dare to disrupt, create, and lead. In this edition, we focus on the achievements of female founders who are shaping industries while leaving a mark on the Swiss entrepreneurial scene.
Female Founders News #11 – March 2024

Female Founders News #11 – March 2024

With the annual International Women’s Day, we celebrate female founders’ achievements while drawing attention to the current state of the venture capital landscape and the ecosystem’s undertakings to promote female entrepreneurship.
Female Founders News #10 – February 2024

Female Founders News #10 – February 2024

In the ever-evolving Swiss startup landscape, success stories emerge across various fronts, showcasing the vibrancy and potential of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Female Founders News #9 – January 2024

Female Founders News #9 – January 2024

Remarkably, most of the announcements made in the past weeks have been mainly about life sciences companies, with a few in cleantech, Fintech and other sectors. There are new insights from the latest Swiss Venture Capital Report.
Female Founders News #8 – November 2023

Female Founders News #8 – November 2023

November brought success for female founders: Nouscom raised €67.5M, and other startups secured funding. Awards highlighted impressive achievements.
Female Founders News #6 – September 2023

Female Founders News #6 – September 2023

September ended on a high note with the Female Innovation Forum, which brought together more than 250 women (and men) to learn, network and support each other in making innovation bigger, better, faster together, as the event’s motto goes.
Female Founders News #5 – July 2023

Female Founders News #5 – July 2023

In the news: startups taking on new approaches to address female-related health issues; startup support organisations to reach out to to access expert support, new markets and investors; new startup launches; and more.
Female Founders News #4 – June 2023

Female Founders News #4 – June 2023

Female-led startups, particularly those developing solutions for a sustainable future, reached remarkable milestones in June – some raised funds, while others won award competitions or launched new solutions in the market.
Female Founders News #3 – May 2023

Female Founders News #3 – May 2023

There are currently several organisations across Switzerland that are dedicated to supporting female entrepreneurship in Switzerland. Given their mutual objective to boost female entrepreneurship through various offers, from training to investing in their ventures, these organisations ought to unite and jointly achieve a greater impact.
Female Founders News #2 – April 2023

Female Founders News #2 – April 2023

This month’s news featured 13 female-led startups, with each reporting a different achievement ranging from product launches, and participation in acceleration and business development programs to closing financing rounds, attracting experienced leaders and having Switzerland’s retail giants place their products on their shelves.
Female Founders News #1 – March 2023

Female Founders News #1 – March 2023

Since International Women’s Day on 8 March, several organisations, leaders and ambassadors of diversity, equality and inclusion in the Swiss startup ecosystem have come out to celebrate women and raise awareness of the gaps that need to be closed.

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