HHL Female Founders Initiative

Knowhow, mentoring and coaching from women for women on their way to their own business

You are a woman with a great business idea, but don’t trust yourself to implement it (yet)? You don’t have a concrete idea but you can imagine being an entrepreneur? Then you’ve come to the right place. In workshops and seminars with experts, you can (further) develop your business ideas, discuss entrepreneurial issues from a women’s perspective, define your female leadership personality and expand your entrepreneurial network. Together with the staff of the initiative, experts and a mentor, you will work on your business pitch and get to know other female founders and their exciting ideas.

Target group

  • women with an interest in starting a business and
  • academic background (student, research assistant, doctoral candidate or alumna of a university)
  • Intention to start a business in the State of Saxony
  • without a final business plan

Costs

  • free of charge

Program schedule

  • Two rounds per year (April-September and October-March)

The three pillars of the program

  • Know-how
  • Coaching
  • Mentoring

Supporters

The grant is made available from funds of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus) and from tax revenue on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament. EXIST-Women is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection and co-financed by the European Union.

 

As part of our MUTIG project (Motivation. Entrepreneurship. Training. Inspiration. Community.), which is funded by the “EXIST-Women” program of BMWK, we also offer some of our participants financial support.

Program

We master challenges together

Know-how: The focus of our seminars is on “female” challenges during the startup process. Do women solve problems in a different way? How can women convince their audience during a company presentation or successfully negotiate with customers and suppliers? How is it possible to reconcile family, company and leisure?

Coaching: Together we analyze your current status in the start-up process as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses as an entrepreneur and develop your individual action plan on the path to your start-up. During the course of the program, you will receive continuous feedback on your business concept, which you will then present in a pitch at the final event.

Mentoring: Besides entrepreneurial competence and knowledge about business management, market know-how and closeness to your customers are important success factors. Therefore, each participant will be supported by a mentor from the practical side who can provide you with important tips and tricks when starting an own company.

Our workshops in the summer semester 2025 (subject to change)

WorkshopDatumSeminarort
Kick-off and dinner together03.04.2025HHL Campus Leipzig
Founding with self-confidence: Mastering the impostor phenomenon and using strengths08.04.2025HHL Campus Leipzig
Ideas Workshop29.04.2025HHL Campus Leipzig
Networking event with other Leipzig start-up initiatives30.04.2025HHL Campus Leipzig
Matchmaking - mentor meets mentee08.05.2025HHL Campus Leipzig
Business Modelling Workshop I15.05.2025HHL Campus Leipzig
Communication in my new role as an entrepreneur22.05.2025HHL Campus Leipzig
Sales - the heart of your company26.05.2025HHL Campus Leipzig
Finances, taxes and legal forms for start-ups12.06.2025HHL Campus Leipzig
Marketing & PR: basics for your start-up26.06.2025HHL Campus Leipzig
Business Modelling Workshop II20.08.2025HHL Campus Leipzig
Lean Thinking for start-ups28.08.2025HHL Campus Leipzig
Pitch deck training04.09.2025HHL Campus Leipzig
Self-management for starting up11.09.2025HHL Campus Leipzig
Closing evening18.09.2025HHL Campus Leipzig

    Events

    There will be around 15 workshops each semester, ranging from awareness raising and personal development to exploring various marketing opportunities and developing your business model as well as your pitch deck.

    Our events usually take place all day on weekdays in presence. Digital participation in individual dates is possible on request. Attendance of at least 80% of the events is required to become part of the next class and to receive a certificate of completion. Corresponding information will be sent to you after the application.

    Apply now

    Apply via e-mail and join the HHL Female Founders Initiative!

    You have a business idea, but haven’t taken the risk to turn it into reality until now? You do not have an idea yet, but you can imagine starting your own business? Then don’t miss your chance to get one step closer to your own startup. Apply now for one of the maximum of 15 places. Please send an e-mail to gruenderinnen@hhl.de.

    Please let us know some details about your professional and academic background and what kind of idea you have, if you already have one. We are looking forward to meeting you!

    The picture portrait shows one of more than 20 mentors of the HHL Female Founders Initiative.
    Anna Pietzka
    Psychologist, founder | lebenahoi and participant in the 11th class of female founders

    I had high expectations of the HHL Female Entrepreneurship Initiative. After all, as soon as the idea of self-employment comes up, it feels like ten new questions arise every day. When I applied, I was hoping above all for ‘tools of the trade’ and know-how. And that’s exactly what I got! Thanks to my mentor and the lecturers, I also received valuable feedback, a huge boost to my self-confidence as a founder, and access to an incredibly supportive network within Leipzig and beyond.

    Juliane Superka
    Founder | jucreation and participant in the 13th class of female founders

    How do I turn my start-up idea into a real business model? And how do I build a brand that really works? I started the start-up initiative with these questions – and took away much more than I had expected. The program was not just a guide through topics such as marketing, business modeling and taxes – it was above all a place where I was able to clearly work out my WHY and sharpen my positioning. The mentoring in particular was a real game changer for me. Someone who looks, gives honest feedback and supports me in going my own way as a founder. I came out of the program with even more clarity and self-confidence – and with a strong network behind me.

    Franziska Seidel und Heide Hütter
    Founders | extrazwei and participants in the 7th class of female founders

    The Female Founders Initiative was the ideal introduction to the world of start-ups for us. The protected environment among women gave us the courage to pursue our idea – without the fear of the start-up world, which is often perceived as competitive. We had a vision, but little experience. Through the practical workshops, regular discussions with our mentor and the exchange within the network, we built up the necessary knowledge and self-confidence to start up. Today – four years later – we can proudly say that we have arrived on the market and have built a company from scratch with a new topic, digital stress. Thank you for this great start and the valuable support along the way!”

    Our Mentors

    Portrait of Panajota Angjeli-Reich, mentor at the HHL Female Founders Initiative
    Panajota Angjeli-Reich
    Reengineering Coaching

    As a systemic coach, I support entrepreneurs in overcoming inner barriers, building resilience and realising their vision with clarity and strength. My personal experience with change and my entrepreneurial mindset enable me to guide you on your path to self-employment in a targeted manner – empathetically, strategically, multicultural and individually.

    Portrait of Janet Schär, mentor at the HHL Female Founders Initiative
    Janet Schaer
    Initiator | Online community HEARTFUL REBELS

    Every time you share your story, you give others permission to live their truth too.

    Vivien Würker
    Founder | dialogue

    The right time to act is when you lose patience but still refrain from blindly rushing into action.

    The picture portrait shows one of more than 20 mentors of the HHL Female Founders Initiative.
    Sandra Falkenhain
    Managing Partner | Falkenhain Invest GmbH

    If you really want to achieve a goal, believe in it firmly. Be courageous and creative, fight with determination and don’t be discouraged when obstacles arise. Follow your own path, be patient and work hard – success will follow.

    The picture portrait shows one of more than 20 mentors of the HHL Female Founders Initiative.
    Cornelia Ketscher
    Psychological counsellor, founder | I-Empower

    Women still lack the confidence to actively seek out partners who can help them achieve their goals.

    The picture portrait shows one of more than 20 mentors of the HHL Female Founders Initiative.
    Karoline Konrad
    Kinesiologist, holistic coach & cultural manager | in Balance

    My motto for self-employment is: “Just do it” and “Keep going”. Because it’s about taking the first step, trusting yourself despite all external influences and staying focused. I’m here to support you, not only with my entrepreneurial perspective, but also to work with you to make sure you’re fully committed to getting started.

    Nicole A. Weiser
    Co-Founder and CEO | Aident GmbH

    Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ´I´m possible.´- Audrey Hepburn

    Kristin Preßler
    Head of Operations DACH | Northwave Cyber Security

    Former colleagues often told me, ‘I learned so much from you.’ With this feedback in mind, I am delighted to support the founders of the HHL Initiative and share my experience in building and scaling businesses.

    Sara Rosenblatt
    Founder and owner | aras events

    Being an entrepreneur is a dream job.

    Jana Berthold
    Communications strategist

    Starting a business is not a business model. It is the decision to show yourself to the world with something genuine and to move confidently within it.

    Almuth Sürmann
    Entrepreneur

    Women can have confidence in their entrepreneurial and leadership abilities. As a mentor, I provide support in the form of questions and suggestions to help them find the clarity they need.

    Become a Mentor

    Your experience and your know-how make the difference

    You already established a company or you are a successful manager? You like to share your knowledge? You are always looking for new contacts and exciting ideas? Then we like to get to know you and to welcome you as a new voluntary mentor for our program. Please contact gruenderinnen@hhl.de for more information. We are looking forward to hearing from you!

    Team

    I think it’s great that the HHL Female Founders Initiative provides a space where different perspectives of aspiring female entrepreneurs come together and new ideas are created.

    Prof. Dr. Claudia Lehmann
    Project Manager | HHL Female Founders Initiative
    HHL Gründerinnen-Initiative

    Accompanying our participants’ development over a period of six months and seeing how they and their business ideas flourish – that’s what inspires me about my work for the HHL Female Founders Initiative.

    Dr. Caroline Große
    Project Coordinator | HHL Female Founders Initiative

    I work for the HHL Female Founders Initiative because I firmly believe that supporting women in business leads to a community that deeply values and actively promotes the values of networking, relationships and sustainability.

    Eric Dwilling
    Project assistant | HHL Female Founders Initiative

    I think it’s wonderful to pass on my own start-up experience to our participants and encourage them to go their own way.

    Eleonore Roderfeld
    Project assistant | HHL Female Founders Initiative