FoundHER
FoundHER is part of Plug and Play’s DRIVE (Diversity, Respect, Inclusion, Visibility, and Equity) initiative. Our FoundHER community strives to foster female entrepreneurship by enabling connections with our global network of investors, mentors, corporates and entrepreneurs.
Through our global open innovation ecosystem and investment track record across various industries, FoundHER’s objective is to push communal effort in championing female entrepreneurs, supporting them in their challenge of gaining equal access to business growth, both in venture capital and corporate ecosystems.
Why you should join the FoundHER community:
We believe that diversity fuels innovation. The FoundHER initiative promotes female introductions within our network into relevant industry-focused programs to provide female entrepreneurs with the visibility they deserve. Some of the FoundHER benefits are:
Fundraising support and mentorship
Given our investment track record and extensive VC network, female founders can be supported on becoming investment ready by connecting with Plug and Play Ventures and also tap into potential investment opportunities
Corporate business development mentorship
As the biggest corporate open innovation ecosystem with 500+ corporations across multiple industries, Plug and Play can provide mentoring and support in corporate business development and enable introductions to potential business opportunities.
Networking events and community building
With an extensive global network of startups, corporate partners and investors, FoundHER enables female founders to tap into Plug and Play’s international and industry-focused events.
A Global Community
FoundHER is championed by Plug and Play and local players in the following locations:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Central Asia
- Denmark
- Egypt
- France
- Italy
- Germany
- Japan
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- Saudi Arabia
- South Korea
- Spain
- United Arab Emirates
Plug and Play is specialized in driving innovation and investing in 20+ industries
Advanced Manufacturing
Agtech
Animal Health
Brand & Retail
Crypto & Digital Assets
Energy
Enterprise Tech
Fintech
Food & Beverage
GOAL
Health
Insurtech
Internet of Things
Media & Ad
Mobility
New Materials & Packaging
Real Estate & Construction
Smart Cities
Supply Chain & Logistics
Sustainability
Travel & Hospitality
Global Locations
Startup Autobahn
BNP Paribas - Plug and Play
Startup Camp
Hear from our FoundHER Steering Committee
Virginia Pigato
FoundHER Lead“As a Latina woman in venture capital, I represent less than 2% of the industry. Even though that percentage is small, it’s big enough to remind me of the significant role that a diverse community played in pushing me where I am today, and what I can do to give back. There is still a lot of work to do in increasing equal access to opportunities for underrepresented founders and raising awareness on the barriers that are in place when diversity is not a core value for a company's shareholders.”
Louiza Chitour
Director of Health - GCC - HYG“The true power of a female entrepreneur lies not in her gender, but in her passion, determination, and unwavering commitment to her vision.”
Hannah Boomgaarden
Global Senior Manager, Open Innovation Services“Each of us has the power to create a more diverse and inclusive environment. Let's take responsibility and use our unique abilities to make a positive impact. Whether through small steps or bold actions, let's create a warm and accepting space for everyone. Together, we can promote diversity and make a positive impact on our world. Let's join hands and make a better future, one inclusive step at a time!”
Virginia Rios
Social Media Manager“Including women and underrepresented founders in our programs opens new avenues for innovation. Recognizing the experiences and needs of half of the population increases economic diversification and reduces inequality, along with other benefits for everyone supporting this cause. So I'm proud to help Plug and Play and their partners develop their diversity and equality efforts.”
Giorgia Rancati
Program Associate, Hamburg“It is undeniable that female founders face unique challenges, especially in traditional male-dominated sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure and energy. Investing in diverse teams is not only a good thing to do, but it’s a smart economic decision. In a world where innovation is key to stay ahead of the curve, having diverse teams can help companies to tap into new perspectives and quickly develop creative solutions that truly reflect the preferences of a diverse customer base. So what if diversity is out of the picture?”
Karima El Hakim
Plug and Play Egypt Director"Empowering women to reach leadership roles in Tech is becoming necessary because there is always room for diversity; many don’t realize that this space needs creativity, which is hard to achieve with a limited and non-diverse team. We need women in various roles in the technology space, these women can be in leadership roles, investment in tech or product development; they will ensure that women’s well-being and ‘product-gender’ fit are well established."
Check out our videos
Female Founder Insights, Gender Equality & Investing in Female Led Startups
Simplifyber's Preparation for Disruptive Innovation | Plug and Play Portfolio Startup Series
The FoundHER network includes:
- Ongoing Event Series
- Research
- Mentor Network
- Education
- Workshops
- Diversity Group Collaboration
- Networking Opportunities
Webinar - Funding Female-Led Businesses
International Women’s Day - Watch the full event
Opening Remarks - Neda Amidi
Keynote Introduction
Keynote Speaker
Fireside Chat Introduction
Fireside Chat
Panel