Female Founders Academy 2024 in Mannheim

Under the motto “Empower Female Founders”, the Female Founders Academy provided targeted support for women and female founders interested in starting their own business as they take their first steps into entrepreneurship.

Over the four days of the programme, the more than 20 participants received a wide range of input on topics such as brainstorming, prototype development, developing competitive business models and pitching. Alices Lottes, Head of Venture Services at REHAU New Ventures, the REHAU Group's company builder, also provided insights into the topic of corporate entrepreneurship. Special thanks go to REHAU New Ventures, which once again supported the Founders Academy this year. The event was also enriched by direct dialogue with successful female founders such as Weihua Wang, the founder of myBuddy.

The participants also gained valuable insights into the Mannheim startup ecosystem during a visit to the GIG7 startup centre, Mannheim's centre of excellence for female business.

Five business ideas were developed as part of this year's Female Founders Academy, which were then presented to an external jury. Special thanks go to KPMG Mannheim, who supported the final event and made it possible in their premises.

The business ideas presented made it clear why the topic of female entrepreneurship is relevant. Solutions were developed by women for women that are needs-orientated and often also socially relevant. In addition to an app that accompanies women through the various phases of their menstrual cycle, a jewellery label especially for women in management positions and a tracking device for children, business ideas such as a digital travel planner with sustainability in mind or the development of a platform for networking single parents show how important the topic is quickly becoming in a female cohort in which the urge for positive impact is becoming loud.

The Female Founders Academy itself also aims to have a positive socio-economic impact. This co-operation project creates access to valuable start-up-specific knowledge and even more valuable networks. It encourages women interested in setting up their own business to make their own way into the still male-dominated start-up scene, for more equal opportunities, diversity and innovation, and above all for more positive impact, from which we all benefit.

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