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Sally Housary, Anri Kivimäki, Deves Alice and others are enlisted in the challenge
Female Founder Challenge
Female Founder Challenge
Let's raise the bar!
About the Female Founder Challenge
For the fourth year in a row, VivaTech, in partnership with 50inTech, launches the Female Founder Challenge (FFC) with two main objectives:
(1) facilitate VC-startup meetings to accelerate the financing of women-led startups
(2) urge VC funds to commit to more gender equality at all levels
Why this challenge?
From left to right, we keep hearing tech news about the next unicorn (or decacorn), the huge boom in startup funding and the importance of investing in diverse founders. But despite the buzz, these trending topics haven’t yet fully translated to action, especially for women of color. In 2021, we hit a five-year low of less than 2% of venture capital funding went to all-women founding teams. However, it’s not all bad news. In this funding frenzy we have seen women founders make huge deals in countries like France or the US. That's why VivaTech and 50inTech are joining forces to promote women-led startups and celebrate the ones that investors should consider. It’s time for equality. The FFC is a call to action to players on the investment side of the table: decision makers and dealmakers who need to become more diverse on all levels. That’s why we’re selecting a high quality pipeline of women-led startups seeking to raise funds, and to bridge the gap between both worlds. Before the Challenge, a free online bootcamp helping women entrepreneurs to become fundraising experts is open to all participants: a great opportunity to unlock a pool of untapped women tech talents.
If you missed the fourth edition of the Female Founder Challenge, check out the Winner and watch the replay!
About VivaTechnology
Viva Technology is Europe's biggest startup and tech event.
We act as a powerful global catalyst for digital transformation and startup growth. Every year, VivaTech brings together in Paris and online the greatest business leaders, startups, investors, researchers and innovators to ignite positive change in business and for society. The 6th edition of VivaTech will be held on June 15-18 2022.
About 50inTech
50inTech is a professional community dedicated to improving the experience of women in tech, by providing resources and facilitating introductions to help grow their business and careers.
Why participate?
If you are a self-identifying woman founder, co-founder, CEO or co-CEO of a global startup in the process of raising funds (be it seed or serie A) wanting to expand your network then the FFC is for you. We know how difficult it can be to gain access to global investors and make those critical connections. You don’t have access to global investors or your lack investor connections?
Apply to the Female Founder Challenge by clicking on the banner!
This Challenge offers you a unique opportunity to master your investor pitch, get exclusive access to investors and get a great visibility during an hybrid event open to a diverse audience.
The Challenge includes an online bootcamp on fundraising, 1:1 meetings with investors (Office Hours), a guided tour of VivaTech, an afterwork with women executives and VC, a pitch contest and an award ceremony.
Rewards
- 🚀
- 🤝
- 🏆
🚀
- Access to a free online bootcamp on fundraising (more info above)
🤝
- Pitch your solution in front of a jury of top VCs and investors
- 1:1 appointments with VC during Office Hours
- A Startup Corner digital package for VivaTech 2022
- 2 free Startup Full Passes for Viva Technology Event 2022
🏆
- Visibility on Viva Technology Event
- A private meeting with the FFC’s high-level VC jury
- A speaking opportunity with Maddyness (at the discretion of the editorial staff)
- Mentoring sessions on fundraising
- A startup booth at VivaTech 2023
Meet the jury
Avolta Partners is involved in the Top 30 selection process and the jury of VCs selects the 5 finalists and the winner:
Nicolas Debock
Managing Director at Eurazeo
Didier Lallemand
Managing Director at Société Générale Ventures
Shikha Ahluwalia
Investor at Balderton
Candice de Fretay
Investor at Accel
Aurore Falque-Pierrotin
Partner at Samaipata
Selection Criteria
Innovation
Relevance, originality and innovation level of the tech solution compared to existing alternatives
Scalability
Feasibility, realism and viability (technical, economic and environmental) of implementing the solution
Team profile
Profile of the founder(s) and co-founder(s), ability to lead the project to success, hard and soft skills of the operational team
Business model
Demonstrated traction and product-market fit
Timeline
Sponsors
Expert Partner
Media
