Women Leading Innovation: Female Founders Shine at START Summit 2025

Last week, the city of St. Gallen became the beating heart of the European startup ecosystem as it hosted its 2025 edition. The annual event, organized and executed by students, has grown into one of the continent’s most influential startup gatherings, bringing together over 7,000 participants, including 2,000 startups, 1,000 investors and a wealth of industry leaders.

This year’s theme, “Shaping a Resilient Future,” resonated deeply, not just in the technological advancements presented but in the voices that led the conversation. Among them, a powerful group of female entrepreneurs took center stage, demonstrating that innovation flourishes when diverse perspectives are given space to grow. These women are solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from sustainability to healthcare and AI-driven solutions.

A Force for Change: Women Reshaping the Startup Landscape

From tackling environmental crises to reshaping the future of sports, medicine, and AI, the female founders we encountered at START come from vastly different backgrounds but share one common mission: to drive meaningful change. Some have overcome personal struggles linked to the very problems they now solve, while others have transitioned from high-performance sports or academic excellence into entrepreneurship. We take a closer look at the inspiring entrepreneurs who took the stage at START Summit 2025:

Tonthoza Uganja, Founder & CEO of Sustainable Farming Solutions

Hailing from Malawi, Tonthoza Uganja is tackling an issue that has silently devastated her country for decades: deforestation. Driven by agricultural expansion and charcoal production, the destruction of Malawi’s forests has threatened rural livelihoods, disproportionately affecting women who travel longer distances for firewood and food. Uganja’s startup, Sustainable Farming Solutions, empowers communities with eco-friendly agricultural techniques to combat deforestation while enhancing food security.

“We cannot talk about sustainability without including the people most affected by environmental degradation—women, farmers, families. Our mission is to equip them with the tools to fight back and reclaim their land for future generations,” she said passionately. Her work is supported by the Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO), part of the G20 Global Land Initiative and the International Trade Center (ITC).

Lea von Bidder, CEO of Expeerly

Swiss entrepreneur Lea von Bidder is no stranger to breaking barriers. Having previously co-founded Ava, a revolutionary women’s health company, she is now spearheading Expeerly, a platform transforming e-commerce through authentic, user-generated video reviews. Expeerly bridges the gap between brands and consumers, replacing traditional marketing with real, relatable testimonials.

“The most powerful marketing tool is trust. When people share their real experiences, it creates a ripple effect; one that changes how we connect with products and brands,” she shared. Her work underscores the need for more transparency in digital commerce and the power of human connection in the digital age.

Sophie Defauw, Founder of AthleteIQ

A former elite athlete, Sophie Defauw knows firsthand the toll injuries take on an athlete’s career. After competing in the Olympic qualifiers, beginning university at just 13 years old, and becoming a professor by 22, Defauw turned her focus to solving a major issue in sports: injury prevention. Her startup, AthleteIQ, leverages AI-driven wearables to provide real-time feedback and prevent sports-related injuries.

“We are giving athletes something they’ve never had before: the ability to listen to their bodies in real time. Injuries shouldn’t define a career. With the right technology, they don’t have to,” she stated. AthleteIQ’s groundbreaking work earned it second place in START Summit’s pitching competition, proving the market’s demand for smart, preventive health solutions.

Joana Cartocci, Founder & COO of Robeaute

At the intersection of robotics, AI, and medicine, Robeaute, is redefining neurosurgery. The startup team has developed a modular microrobotic device designed to navigate the most delicate areas of the brain with unprecedented precision. This AI-powered technology can implant electrodes, deliver medication and collect live data, revolutionizing how neurosurgical interventions are performed.

“We’re combining multiple disciplines to address medical challenges in ways never imagined before. The future of healthcare is not just about curing diseases but about reinventing how we approach treatment itself,” Cartocci said, emphasizing the multidisciplinary power of Robeaute’s work.

Kristin Reiss, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer at StepCo

In the world of deep tech and industrial AI, Kristin Reiss is making waves with StepCo. Her startup automates administrative planning processes for small and mid-sized industrial companies, allowing them to operate more efficiently and focus on innovation. Working alongside the ACM AI Lab at the University of Wuppertal and industry partner Iso-Tech Kunststoff GmbH, StepCo is ensuring AI-driven solutions are both reliable and practical.

“Innovation is about accessibility. We’re bringing AI to industries that need it the most, helping them scale and stay competitive in an increasingly digital world,” Reiss explained. Beyond her startup, she plays an active role in START’s Lisbon Chapter, fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The Road Ahead: Supporting Women in Entrepreneurship

The stories of these remarkable women highlight an important truth: The world needs more female founders. Women-led startups have proven time and again that they bring fresh perspectives and sustainable solutions to the table. Yet, female entrepreneurs still face unique challenges, from funding disparities to underrepresentation in accelerator programs.

To build a truly innovative and inclusive startup ecosystem, we must continue to celebrate and support women in founder positions. Encouraging their participation in accelerator programs, funding their ventures, and amplifying their voices is not just about fairness—it’s about ensuring the best ideas, regardless of who they come from, have the chance to change the world.

As the curtains close on START Summit 2025, one thing is certain: the future of entrepreneurship is brighter, bolder, and more diverse than ever before. Watch this space!