The Female Founders Initiative is a national movement based in Switzerland that aims to close the gender gap in entrepreneurship by providing targeted support, visibility, and access to funding for women entrepreneurs. Since launch, the initiative has reached more than 5,000 female founders through events, programs, and community platforms. Our offering spans the entire founder journey—from ideation to growth—via mentoring, accelerator programs, startup education, and access to capital. A flagship initiative, the FF+ Accelerator, has supported over 100 women-led ventures, with more than 80% securing external investment or strategic partnerships. Our open-access Female Founders Map showcases over 750 active women-led businesses across Switzerland in sectors including FinTech, AI, HealthTech, Circular Economy, Social Innovation, and more—giving visibility to underrepresented founders and building trust with investors and ecosystem actors. Our digital presence includes 4,200+ LinkedIn members and 2,100+ Instagram followers, creating one of the most vibrant and inclusive startup communities in the country. The initiative is coordinated by Startup Campus and Impact Hub Zürich, in partnership with Innosuisse, Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), and the Arcas Foundation. Recognised among the Top 100 European Startup Hubs 2025, the initiative is not just empowering individuals—it is reshaping Switzerland’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Finalist
Female Entrepreneurship Empowerment Award Award
Female Founders Initiative
Finalist Female Entrepreneurship Empowerment Award Award
Startup Campus Switzerland, Impact Hub Zürich - Switzerland
"We Want More Female Founders! "
Engage on social media
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/86717228(Female Founders Initiative Switzerland)
https://www.instagram.com/femalefoundersswitzerland/(Female Founders Initiative Switzerland Instagram)
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9076855/(Female Founders Switzerland Community)
Summary
Key People
Matthias Filser
Initiator and Advisor
Head, Center for Entreprenruship at ZHAW
Marcela Durand
Projekt Lead
Impact Hub Zürich
Vanessa Mohrig
Marketing & Community Building
Center for Entreprenruship at ZHAW
Annina Graf
Social Media
Center for Entreprenruship at ZHAW
Sandra Chellakudam
Project Assistant
Center for Entreprenruship at ZHAW
Lorena Perrin Kreis
Advisor
Impact Hub Zürich
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funding and implementation partners. The Innosuisse Entrepreneurship Training Program has provided crucial national-level backing. The Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) has empowered us to scale key activities through funding and strategic input. The Arcas Foundation has supported our inclusive innovation vision with exceptional trust and flexibility. Without their commitment, this initiative would not be where it is today.
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IMPACT STORY
Impacting lifes
Our impact is grounded in visibility, support, and results. One of our most powerful tools is the Female Founders Map, now featuring 750+ active women-led businesses across Switzerland. It’s used by media, investors, and partners to connect with female entrepreneurs across diverse industries—from FinTech and AI to FoodTech and the Circular Economy.
In just two years, our FF+ Accelerator helped founders go from idea to investment. One notable case: a founder who joined with only a prototype now operates in three markets, has secured six-figure funding, and leads a 12-person team. Others have successfully transitioned from research or family leave into full-time entrepreneurship.
But the most important result? Belonging and confidence. Founders repeatedly tell us this is the first time they’ve felt truly seen and supported. That’s why we also launched informal formats like founder dinners, pitch circles, and storytelling nights—spaces where women share, learn, and grow without filters.
The Female Founders Initiative has become more than a program. It’s a platform for visibility, a community of trust, and a catalyst for change in the Swiss startup ecosystem.
LEARNINGS
Lessons learned
We’ve learned that real impact requires more than programs—it requires persistent systems change. Three key insights:
Tailored spaces matter. Generic support structures don’t work for everyone. Female founders thrive in environments where their challenges are recognized and addressed without judgment.
Representation drives participation. Visible role models change what people believe is possible. Our platform continuously highlights female entrepreneurial success to inspire others.
Collaboration beats competition. Our initiative thrives by building coalitions between academia, public institutions, and the private sector. It’s not about one organization—it’s about a movement.
Our advice to other leaders: Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start small, build trust, and evolve together. Inclusion isn’t a side project—it’s a growth strategy.
FUTURE PLANS
What's coming?
Our next strategic phase is focused on deepening support and ensuring sustainability through three key developments:
Establishing a Membership Model
We will launch a tiered membership structure for female founders and allies—offering access to exclusive events, resources, mentoring, and visibility tools. This will help professionalize our community while creating long-term financial stability and deeper engagement.
Expanding Investment Readiness
Building on the success of our FF+ Accelerator, we will scale our Investment Readiness Program, including tailored pitch coaching, term sheet education, and strategic intros to investors. We aim to close the funding gap by helping more female-led ventures prepare for angel, VC, and non-dilutive financing rounds.
Launching a Funding Program
We are in the process of setting up a funding mechanism—either as a female founder-focused syndicate or a dedicated early-stage investment fund—to directly support women-led startups in Switzerland. This would create a powerful bridge between our curated dealflow and a growing base of aligned investors, corporates, and family offices.
Together, these efforts aim to create a scalable, founder-centered ecosystem that not only supports the launch and growth of female-led ventures but also redefines who gets to build the future of business.
