Female entrepreneurs around the world are redefining success and challenging old paradigms. However, many still face systemic barriers, from limited access to funding and underrepresentation in leadership to unequal support networks.
Innovation grows when people are bold, embrace different perspectives, and challenge traditional ways of thinking - but these obstacles continue to hold many female entrepreneurs back.
We spoke with leading female entrepreneurs and innovators about the changes they want to see in the world of female entrepreneurship. Their insights reveal a clear need for a mindset shift, stronger support systems, and a redefined vision of success.
Breaking Away from Tradition
For Caroline Kunert, Corporate Innovator at Head, the journey toward a more innovative future should start early:
"Our school system teaches you to work hard, get good grades, and find a secure job. But we need to change the mindset of kids and show them that it’s 100% possible to bring their own ideas to market and build companies."
Education should embrace entrepreneurship as a viable path, and more role models – especially women– are essential to inspiring this change. Lucie Rejman, Educator at EqualVoice, shares this view, emphasizing the importance of representation:
“I would love to see more female innovators, as I believe they bring just as many groundbreaking ideas as their male counterparts. With the global challenges we face today, the world needs both men and women driving innovation forward.”
Milou Nijhof, Corporate Innovator at Shell, agrees with this idea, pointing out that while female-led startups are growing in number, they still face significant disadvantages:
"Beyond diversity and inclusion, we need to focus on equity—ensuring women have the same access to opportunities, networks, and funding. This is an issue close to my heart, and I believe we all have a role in building a more equitable future for innovation."
Courage Over Caution
Their stories show that while the path isn’t easy, female entrepreneurs who lead with boldness, adaptability, and self-leadership are turning these obstacles into stepping stones. A recurring theme among women entrepreneurs is the need for boldness. Heike Niehues, Executive Vice President at Webasto Group, highlights that:
"Innovation is more critical than ever, yet risk aversion is holding us back. We must accept that mistakes are part of the process and stay bold in our approach to succeed in the long run."
Similarly, Maren Kottler, Digital Innovator at AMT für Informatik in Kanton Zürich, believes in "empowerment and space for boldness for anyone who wants it." And, Daniela Harzer calls for a stronger focus on:
“Excellence and performance, courage and leadership as well as a strong attitude and a positive narrative for the power of innovation and entrepreneurship.”
Hedi Schaefer, Consultant and Entrepreneur at Hedi Schaefer Academy, takes it a step further, emphasizing that execution is often the biggest challenge:
"So many ideas get lost due to a lack of clarity and personal development. True innovation starts with self-leadership, overcoming subconscious fears and turning obstacles into opportunities."
Defining Moments of Resilience
Their stories show that while the path isn’t easy, female entrepreneurs who lead with boldness, adaptability, and self-leadership are turning these obstacles into stepping stones. Caroline Kunert remembers a crucial investment round that nearly collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic:
"One day before our notary appointment, investors dropped out, and the remaining ones halved our valuation. The future of my company was on a knife's edge. I found completely new investors within seven days. If I hadn't succeeded, the company would have gone bankrupt."
Katharine Böhnke, Consultant and Entrepreneur at Berliner Ideenlabor GmbH, reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic forced entrepreneurs to adapt:
"It pushed us to be creative, develop new business models and formats, and find new ways to collaborate as a team. It was a moment that demanded resilience, flexibility, and a willingness to rethink everything"
Lucie Rejman shares a different kind of struggle–perfectionism:
"While finalizing my PhD thesis, I was so focused on making everything perfect that I missed my deadline. That experience taught me a valuable lesson: 'Done is better than perfect.' Since then, I’ve embraced this mindset, allowing me to accomplish far more."
For Milou Nijhof, stepping into an unfamiliar industry required self-belief and adaptability:
"Transitioning from strategic HR to technology and innovation took me far outside my comfort zone. I had to prove that my business and change management skills brought unique value, even alongside colleagues with advanced technical degrees."
Advice to the Next Generation
With experience comes wisdom, and these leaders have powerful advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs:
"Simply make faster decisions. A clear 'kill' is always better than feeding a 'half-dead' project." – Caroline Kunert
"You are great just as you are. Experiment, learn, reflect, and start again." – Maren Kottler
"Trust your intuition. Dare to name things honestly and stand up for yourself, even when it takes courage." – Katharine Böhnke
"Be courageous in making changes earlier. When something no longer feels right, don’t wait it out—trust your instincts and adjust course sooner rather than later." – Heike Niehues
"Heal and thrive. Keep evolving." – Hedi Schaefer
“Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses - the key is to find the right place where your strengths can shine.” – Lucie Reyman
“One is the role you take within the organization and the other is you as a person, be aware that these are separate hats.” – Daniela Harzer, Managing Director at Piabo
These women demonstrate the defining traits of successful female entrepreneurs—resilience in uncertainty, intuition-driven leadership, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
Looking Ahead: A Shared Responsibility
Creating environments where female entrepreneurs can thrive also requires recognizing the dual responsibilities many carry: professional leadership and family life. Systems must offer flexibility, support, and inclusion.
The future of female entrepreneurship is not just shaped by entrepreneurs alone; it’s a collective effort. Schools must encourage creative thinking, corporations must embrace risk and diversity, and investors must support diverse founders. Diana Scholl, Managing Director at BV BFW, reinforces the need for a more inclusive innovation culture:
"An innovative culture must actively promote diversity. It is essential that women have equal access to networks, resources, and decision-making positions. Diverse perspectives enrich the professional world and drive innovative solutions."
Lucie Reyman adds:
“Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, the key is to find the right place where your strengths can shine.”
The future of business is being shaped by courageous, visionary female entrepreneurs. Their leadership is not just driving innovation—it’s transforming industries. To truly unlock this potential, we all have a role to play. Let’s support and elevate the next generation of female entrepreneurs, because when they rise, we all do.