Empowering female founders across Europe
Pre-Registration form of Women Startup Competition
Please fill in our pre-registration form to register your interest.
The information you provide will help us decide which of our semi-final competitions we recommend for you.
More detailed information will be sent to you shortly to help you finalise your application.
WSC is an independent not-for-profit business incubation platform with the mission to support female entrepreneurs in the critical early years.
We run our signature program in 10 countries.
We are a network of individuals who are true believers that we can create a better world.
Advocating for a more gender-balanced world
Female entrepreneurs are a huge untapped potential of the world economy. Still, only less than 3% of VC capital is going to female-founded startups.
Leads to a better world
Gender diversity is not only about making things fair, it directly translates into social, economic and business impact.
Women bring new priorities and topics into the innovation scene, and they are also more likely to reinvest their profit into society.
Our work and impact
To date, WSC has completed 10 years of the program, and cumulatively supported 620+ female-founded early-stage startups with WSC
Ambassadors in 15 countries.
Through our events, we act as a catalyst to build a supportive ecosystem, we empower women with skills, visibility and important connections.
Winners of Women Startup in 2023
Congratulations!
The winners of the 9th Women Startup Competition Final are...
Ira Sulejmeni and her team reduces food loss and waste by providing an efficient, transparent and safe tracking system for agri-food companies.
Startup of Charlotte Charbit has developed a mobile app that connects households to waste collectors and provides transparency in the waste supply chain.
🥉 Sensivr-health (POLAND)
Katarzyna Koba and her team presented a unique solution in the metaverse's interactive world, offering mental health assessment and improvement for children using smart sensors and data analysis.
Meet the 2023 Finalists
Last year we received applicants from the following countries:
Austria .:. Italy .:. Indonesia .:. France .:. Greece .:. Nigeria .:. Poland .:. Philippines .:. Albania
FINALISTS OF 2023
WOMEN STARTUP COMPETITION
WOMEN STARTUP COMPETITION
NoLimbah [ Indonesia ]
What's your FLAN? - [ Philippines ]
Cyber Morfosis [ Albania ]
Clearchain [ Italy ]
Livert [ France ]
mCubed [ Greece ]
Fertitude [ Nigeria ]
Plearn [ Italy ]
SensiVR-health [ Poland ]
SkoolTek by EdFolio [ Philippines ]
Our signature program
European pitching competition series with a London Final event
Annual programmes in 15 countries for 620+ female-founded startups from 2014 to 2020
Each year we engage with and help hundreds of female entrepreneurs across Europe and outside Europe. Chapter pitching events in bigest cities then a Final event for best startups from each country. Our program is designed in a way to give tangible support to founders tailor-made to early-stage needs: brand exposure, free mentoring sessions with senior professionals from diverse backgrounds/industries inviting investors and media to our local events, so involving all stakeholders. Giving prizes through our sponsors (products and/or services).
The event series will regularly end with a multi-day event in cities of investors' choice (London, Budapest, etc. ). If covid and other regulations or budget require, an online version may be held instead of a physical event, which will be announced in advance.
Final Event: Final 1:1 mentoring with our special experts and a second day Demo Day and investor meetings and exciting speakers.
All program elements aimed to give female founders access to improve their skills, build corporate connections and network with investors, plus gain brand exposure.
Visit back for the 2023 program or sign up for to get the latest updates!
Find all the local events here: http://www.womenstartupcompetition.com/#events
Application process and Program:
1. Announcing local pitching events/dates
2. Online application
3. Shortlist selection (10-12 teams) by a panel of experts, inviting teams to the pitching event (if there are less than 10 teams per country/venue, the organizers reserve the right to move the competitors to the online "other countries" group and have them compete there. )
4. Free mentoring sessions for shortlisted teams with senior professionals from diverse backgrounds
5. Local pitching to a panel of jury, inviting local investors and media (public event, anyone welcome).
6. Participating on the Final event for 1st place winners from each country, Final Pitching announcing "Best female-founded startup" 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, plus a second day with 1:1 investor meetings for all finalists (If the final event is not online the necessary travel costs are covered by WSC a prize for finalists)
Startups with majority of women, from any industries
The pitching competition is not limited to any industries.
One requirement is that the applicant must be a startup led by female CEO or female-founded/co-founded or Women's share 50% of ownership or the team members has to be women (50%<) an equal gender diversity representation (50%-50%) within the entrepreneurial team or must identify as women in a way that’s significant to them.
Second requirement is that the startup should be at least at MVP phase or very close to launch, so something tangible to show.
Our competition is not limited to any industries, however we might have specific sub-categories as part of the competition in collaboration with sponsors or big corporates.
2024 Program*
You can follow our ever-expanding semi-finals here.
Your country not in our list? Do not panic use the Semifinal for New Countries event!
*some countries still in the pipeline
Pre-Registration form of Women Startup Competition 2024
The semi-finals will be available soon!
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Check out our latest updates!
Become our partner
We're committed to partnerships that benefit us both.
Partnerships for a greater purpose
Gender diversity leads to a better world
Partnerships are key for our success
WSC acts as a catalyst enabling female-founded and
diverse startups to spring their business at the vulnerable
early stage of inception, through the crucial seed investment.
We are an independent nonprofit organization,
we provide all our support for female founders
free of charge. Partners make it possible to create
change that we otherwise would not be able to achieve.
To learn more about partnership opportunities
pls. send e-mail to hello@womenstartupcompetition.com
Corporate partnerships
Social good and corporate innovation
By sponsoring our programs your organization is not only contributing to social good,
but it is also an excellent opportunity to meet some of the most promising early-stage female founders from your own industry.
Each year, we engage with about 300 female-founded or female-led teams from all kinds of
industries/verticals (software, AI, biotech/health, sustainability, ed tech, beauty, fashion, media, etc.).
Media partnerships
Gender diversity is not a women's issue. It is the world's interest.
Visibility, addressing unconscious bias, showing positive role models, encouraging more women to start their own business are all important means to create social change.
Help us to bring this topic to the table!
Ambassador of country or region
Be unique and reach the local startup ecosystem easily with us!
Be our ambassador and connect your community knowledge with the power of our WSC network! Use the power of WSC events to increase your local connections and business opportunities.
We work with amazing people around the world that build their local startup community with great events every year.
More details here: Become-an-ambassador
Other collaborations
We are always open for any kind of collaboration that is aligned with our mission.
Pls. contact us, so we can have a chat about how we can support each other.
Feel inspired to join our movement?
I'm a startup, want to enroll. Registration
I'm a company, want to be your partner. Partners
I'm an investor, looking for startups. Investors
I'm intersting about WSC ambassadorship. Ambassador
I'm a volunteer and want to be part of your story. Volunteers (bloggers, photographers, on-site assistance)
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
Our initiative has so far been supported by
WSC FAQ
What is Women Startup Competition?
WSC (Women Startup Competition) is the biggest event of its kind in Europe, where the ratio of female-founded startups is below 27%, and women investors represent as low as 7% of the funding scene. We invite gender-diverse startups (min. 50% has to be owned by women) from all over Europe to inspire, educate and unite female entrepreneurs, and to increase the aforementioned ratios.
The aim of Women Startup Competition is to grow the presence of women in business, therefore we provide trainings and opportunities for more and more gender-diverse startups. We wish to grow the Women Startup Competition worldwide and resupply the startup ecosystem with fresh projects and creative talent.
Who can apply?
Startups with a majority of females amongst its founders/co-founders may apply, along with female-founded startups, or where 50% of the ownership belongs to women, or where at least 50% of the members are women, or where an equal gender diversity representation (50%-50%) can be found within the entrepreneurial team.
How can you apply?
If your team meets the requirements, register your start-up or idea for any of the countries listed here http://www.womenstartupcompetition.com/#events, or if you are in the process of updating your events,
you can pre-register here: Pre-registration and we will notify you when registrations open.
What is the application deadline?
Application closes one week before each semifinal.
How are the events built up?
Startups can apply to pitch at one of our semifinal events around Europe. After the maximum 1/2-day long mini Bootcamp, after Our Jury chooses the top-ranked teams from the semifinal winners.
How do you know that you were selected to attend the semifinal?
We will inform you on F6s.com that the system will also send out to your email address. Please check the promotions and spam folders as well.
Is it required to participate in a semifinal before the final event?
Yes. :)
Who can pitch at the semifinal and final?
Any female member who can represent the startup properly.
How much time do you have to pitch?
Your presentation consists of a 2-minute-long pitch and a 4-minute Q&A, where you will be asked questions about your project.
Can another team member join the pitcher at the Q&A?
Yes, any member.
In which languages can you pitch?
English is the official language of our events. Therefore we use this language at all of our trainings, and mentoring and require the pitches to be presented in English as well.
What should your presentation include?
In most cases, the presentation should include: the problem, the solution, the business model, the method of spreading it in the market, the competitors, your team, and what you need for the next step.
Can you check the pitches of the previous years?
Of course, you can find them on our YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/2ATLEHT
From which stage can you enter the competition?
You can register at any stage. The jury will select startups with the best ideas and where the team is already established.
Do you need a confirmation before coming to participate in the semifinal and final?
Yes, you will receive an official confirmation and invitation via our platforms ( pozi.io or f6s.com).
What platforms can you use for your pitch deck?
Any platform you prefer (PowerPoint, Keynote, Prezi, ...). Keep in mind that you should send us the presentation in advance, so our mentors can prepare appropriately to help you in making it even better.
What materials should your presentation include?
Any material can be used that may help you in presenting your idea in 2 minutes - presentation, short video, tangible product, etc.
Does the startup need to be established?
No, but it can be an advantage when it comes to investors’ and sponsors’ support.
Is the higher percentage of women members an advantage?
No, our only aim is a balanced gender diversity.
If there will be no semifinal in your country, can you enter another country’s?
Sure, you can choose any semifinal to participate in.
Who will be in the jury?
International and local startup geeks, venture capitalists, angel investors, innovation lab leaders of top companies.
Is there a possibility to watch the pitches in person?
We are looking forward to welcoming anybody in our audience.
What prizes do the winners get?
Above all, our aim is to help our winners continue to thrive through high publicity and direct contacts with investors.
But we also aim to provide valuable, necessary tools, useful gadgets and services to Teams 1, 2 and 3 that can help them in their daily lives and growth.
In previous years, prizes have included Macbook Air, Apple iPad, Chinese Investor Program, European coworking passes, Timeular time trackers, etc.
Last but not least, all our winners and most of the finalists received an investment following the demo day.
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