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.
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.
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.
Workshop | Datum | Seminarort |
---|---|---|
Kick-off and dinner together | 03.04.2025 | HHL Campus Leipzig |
Founding with self-confidence: Mastering the impostor phenomenon and using strengths | 08.04.2025 | HHL Campus Leipzig |
Ideas Workshop | 29.04.2025 | HHL Campus Leipzig |
Networking event with other Leipzig start-up initiatives | 30.04.2025 | HHL Campus Leipzig |
Matchmaking - mentor meets mentee | 08.05.2025 | HHL Campus Leipzig |
Business Modelling Workshop I | 15.05.2025 | HHL Campus Leipzig |
Communication in my new role as an entrepreneur | 22.05.2025 | HHL Campus Leipzig |
Sales - the heart of your company | 26.05.2025 | HHL Campus Leipzig |
Finances, taxes and legal forms for start-ups | 12.06.2025 | HHL Campus Leipzig |
Marketing & PR: basics for your start-up | 26.06.2025 | HHL Campus Leipzig |
Business Modelling Workshop II | 20.08.2025 | HHL Campus Leipzig |
Lean Thinking for start-ups | 28.08.2025 | HHL Campus Leipzig |
Pitch deck training | 04.09.2025 | HHL Campus Leipzig |
Self-management for starting up | 11.09.2025 | HHL Campus Leipzig |
Closing evening | 18.09.2025 | HHL Campus Leipzig |
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!”
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.
Every time you share your story, you give others permission to live their truth too.
The right time to act is when you lose patience but still refrain from blindly rushing into action.
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.
Women still lack the confidence to actively seek out partners who can help them achieve their goals.
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.
Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ´I´m possible.´- Audrey Hepburn
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.
Being an entrepreneur is a dream job.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
I think it’s wonderful to pass on my own start-up experience to our participants and encourage them to go their own way.