#1 SHEconomy and misconducts, the start of the journey 🚶♀️
Selected opportunities, reflections on how to find a cofounder, and why not become a founder.
Amela's weekly newsletter is a place to learn about startups, stay up to date with tech news in Europe and the world, and discover incredible opportunities. If you like it, subscribe and share it:
Welcome everyone👋,
At Amela, the Women Founder Ecosystem, we believe media plays an incredibly important in making sure people access opportunities, and so we want to make sure that we continuously share the most relevant news on the European landscape with you.
This week we reflect, on a few things, whether it is the rising SHEconomy or the allegations of misconduct from a partner at one of the oldest funds in Europe. Totally aware that on the news side this are not the best things to start our positive outlook into the tech world. However, we wouldn’t be doing our job if we were not providing a realistic view that shows both the good and not so good sides of Tech. We also follow this by sharing a few of the opportunities that have come our way and we’d love for you to take a chance on.
Goes without saying if you are a female founder building a software driven business join us at Amela, you’ll be joining your tribe with +240 founders across 9 countries. Apply here.
Without further due, let’s start this week 🙌
News
All about technology in Europe and the world 🌐
Breaking News: Hopin's Major Pivot and $15M Sale 🚀
Hopin, once the event industry's shining star, has taken a bold step by selling its Events and Session products to RingCentral for a mere $15 million, a fraction of its previous valuation. This move highlights a significant shift from virtual events toward streaming and online communities. Dive into the article to explore how this decision could reshape the tech landscape, impact investors, and mark a turning point for the future of virtual gatherings. Read more.
Unveiling Gender Bias in VC: A Closer Look 🔍
Pink Salt Ventures' latest survey leaves no room for doubt: gender bias still persists in the venture capital realm. Their report reveals eye-opening insights, with 97% of surveyed female founders acknowledging unequal treatment, 83% attributing funding barriers to the absence of female decision-makers, and 76% highlighting the lack of VC-backable business awareness. With data from 90 founders and insights from expert Dr. Dana Kanze, the survey pushes us to address these inequalities head-on. Explore the reasons behind the findings and discover how Pink Salt Ventures is championing change for female founders in the tech landscape. Read more.
Allegations of Misconduct Rock VC Firm DN Capital: An In-Depth Report 🚨
Explosive allegations of workplace misconduct against Nenad Marovac, the founding partner of the European VC firm DN Capital, have sent shockwaves through the industry. Former employees have come forward, accusing Marovac of bullying, sexualized comments, and even unwanted physical touching during the early 2010s. These claims cast a dark shadow over DN Capital's celebrated success and Marovac's accolades. An independent inquiry has been initiated by the firm to address the allegations, while former employees who've faced the alleged misconduct speak out about the toxic environment and hope for a more accountable investment landscape. Read more.
If you are ever in such a situation feel free to reach out and we’ll do our best to support.
Opportunities
Open calls and events for entrepreneurs
✏️ Program: #Cajigo100WomenInTech Mentoring Programme 2023
A 16-week mentoring programme until the 23rd August. Whether you are looking to land a role in tech or move to a senior level position, you will be matching to a mentor who will be providing you with the guidance and support to elevate your career to the next level and beyond. Fully funded programme with partners BT Group Marks and Spencer EPAM Systems Moonpig AstraZeneca. Apply here.
✏️Program: "Build & Thrive for Impact": A Mental Health-based Leadership Training for Impact Leaders and Founders
An 8-week program. Are you leading an impact-driven organization? Elevate your mental well-being for the lasting success of your company. Designed for 20 passionate leaders, this exclusive training merges resilience with healthy leadership excellence. Understand the pressures you face and turn them into strengths. Build & Thrive for Impact is your chance to refine your leadership skills, connect to your core, and join a tight-knit community of impact-driven entrepreneurs. Apply here until September 3rd
✏️Program: 🇬🇧 Healthcare x AI Hackaton
A 2-day hackaton on 3-24th September in London. Focused on addressing the significant inefficiencies and challenges facing today’s healthcare system. The hackathon is sponsored by Hummingbird Ventures, Open AI and Microsoft for startups, with participation from some really exciting healthcare companies. Apply here until September 10th.
✏️🇩🇪 Event: Empower Yourself with Tax Knowledge for Your German Holding Company!
Join this event on August 23rd for an exclusive workshop that will guide you step by step through the process of filing your own taxes for your holding company. Led by Moe Doefner, founder of Eifas, a Berlin-based tax solutions company, this event offers practical insights, personalized support, and a Q&A session. Register here.
✏️🇩🇪 Event: Navigating the professional world #LikeAGirl: Panel Discussion and Networking
Join this event on August 31st and learn about the experiences from Michaela Fleischer, COO Finoa, Stacie Ant, Co-founder XELEVEN, and Zoe Faircloth, Co-Founder Crypto Girls Club. Register here.
✏️ Event: Series A funding: What you need to know right now
Series A is where your company takes the leap from idea to reality. But as economic uncertainty lingers, what’s the best way to secure funding? How much should you be raising and from where? Sifted Talks explains the current state of play. Sign up here.
✏️ Event: How to secure funding for your climate tech startup
Venture funding for European climate tech companies dropped 42% in the first half of 2023. How should it recalibrate your funding ambitions? Where are VCs hedging their bets? This Sifted Talks will dig into what’s to come for climate tech investment at all stages. Sign up here.
Recommendations
Articles, videos and other resources to learn
Unleashing the Power of the SHEconomy: Taylor Swift, Barbie Movie, and Women's Influence 🌟
From Taylor Swift's mesmerizing Eras Tour, which not only grosses billions but generates a remarkable local economic impact, to the ground-breaking Barbie Movie directed by Greta Gerwig that resonates deeply with women and their aspirations, this read unveils how brands are embracing and celebrating the collective feminine experience. Dive into the insights that showcase the significance of connecting, empowering, and acknowledging women's interests and experiences, and how it's shaping industries, culture, and the economy. Read full article.
To this we wonder, who is bringing the SHEconomy to Europe? 👀
The Co-Founder Quest: A Playbook for Finding Your Startup Partner 📚🔍
Ever wondered how successful entrepreneurs find their perfect co-founders? Dive into Gloria Lin's candid narrative of her co-founder dating journey. This exclusive interview uncovers the tools Lin employed to navigate the co-founder landscape, enhancing your quest for a symbiotic partnership. Whether you're a veteran founder or an aspiring entrepreneur, this article offers actionable insights for curating your dream co-founder relationship. Read full article.
Why I don’t want to be a founder 🙅🏻♀️
Amid the hype around entrepreneurship, the author challenges the prevailing notion that everyone should aim to launch their own startup. The piece dissects common misconceptions about founding a company, such as the allure of independence and rapid success. Drawing on personal experiences and industry observations, Zara presents four compelling reasons why they believe most individuals should reconsider embarking on the startup journey. Read full article.
See you next week! - 👋🏽 Anais