Separating signals from sounds: Female founders in an accelerated world
Female entrepreneurship is more than just a buzzword – it is a true engine of innovation. With the Collective Gathering, the Swiss startup days have established a platform that not only connects female founders, executives, and investors but also provides them with the tools and encouragement to transform their ideas into thriving ventures. The goal of the Collective initiative is clear: to make female entrepreneurship more visible, more empowered, and more scalable.
On 13 May 2025, a diverse group of 120 women from across Switzerland – and beyond – gathered in the atmospheric Cinématte in Bern, nestled on the banks of the River Aare, to share ideas, exchange experiences, and spark new impulses.
The event opened with a strong political signal: Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin highlighted the crucial role that female-led innovation plays in maintaining Switzerland’s position as a European leader in innovation. To fully unlock the immense potential of women in business, he emphasised the need for better conditions – from improved work-life balance to targeted training in entrepreneurship.
Keynote Henriette Wendt: Powering Change
The Collective Gathering aims not only to bring women together but also to inspire them through role models. Henriette Wendt is undoubtedly one of them. Having held leadership roles at Motorola, Swisscom, Telia, and Microsoft Switzerland, she became Chief Operating Officer of Axpo Group in 2021 – a remarkable trajectory in a male-dominated sector. Her success, she says, stems largely from her mindset: «Just outside the comfort zone you learn. I wanted to learn and also drive change.» At Axpo, she now leads the company’s modernisation agenda – a critical task in a time shaped by energy crises, rising global demand, and the urgent need for sustainable solutions.
Wendt sees her most important role in developing future leaders and fostering talent, including through collaboration with startups. Axpo is particularly interested in innovations in battery storage, smart grids, and grid flexibility at high-voltage levels. How can carbon neutrality be achieved while ensuring energy is available at all times? When a startup’s concept aligns with Axpo’s commercial interests, a partnership – sometimes including investment – may follow.
VC Funds, Scaling Science and Women’s Health
The breakout sessions offered participants the chance to dive deeper into key issues in an interactive setting. In one session, two experienced investors gave insight into venture capital management and explained how VC decisions are made. Another focused on how scientific discoveries can be effectively translated into market-ready innovations. A third session drew strong interest for its spotlight on women’s health – an area with both huge societal and commercial potential. Topics ranged from the importance of gender-specific research to the development of new technologies and strategies to improve women’s access to healthcare.
Connection is Key
While conditions for female entrepreneurship are improving – at least in Switzerland – much work remains if we are to truly harness the full potential of women’s innovative power. Political and private sector efforts are gaining momentum, but it is networks like Collective that truly make a difference: by connecting women, offering relatable role models, and sharing practical know-how. So it comes as no surprise that Henriette Wendt’s advice was this: «What I learned is this: Women are supporting each other. So help each other and create the networks.»
