Women in Entrepreneurship Program 2025
DWIH San Francisco, along with cooperation from The GUILD, held the in-person portion of the Women in Entrepreneurship Program from September 1 to 5, 2025.
This year 100 women from Germany participated in the online workshop, while 10 of those female founders were selected for the opportunity aimed at immersing themselves right in the heart of Silicon Valley, the SF Bay Area.
The program featured startups that transform cutting-edge research into groundbreaking innovations:
* ProviGen.ai – Lab automation with AI
* HeyOtters – Emotional fitness for healthcare teams
* Blueprint Biomed – Implant for bone regeneration
* Fusix Biotech – Immuno-oncology against cancer
* Triome – Stool test for cancer diagnostics
* New Soil. New Soul. – Sustainable green roofs
* Novabiocure – Non-resistant antibiotics
* HuModel – Tissue for clinical trials
* Dahlia Biotech – Chemicals from biowaste
* Inny – Marketplace for in-store technologies
The week left long lasting impressions for the participants with visits to tech companies such as AWS, the d.school at Stanford, and the Berkeley Skydeck; workshops on storytelling, prototyping, and thought leadership; but also time for personal conversations and building sustainable networks. The pitch session, which took place in front of experienced investors, was an unforgettable moment and the highlight of the trip for many participants. “The pitch event was my absolute highlight. I loved being on stage!” said one founder enthusiastically.
Time and again, it became clear how important it is to make female role models visible. One participant summed up her experience as follows: “I have got so much more courage being around women, doing what I believe I could be.” Others highlighted the energy, the mix of people and places, and the inspiring atmosphere: “The stories, the energy, the vibe – simply amazing.”
The amazing speakers also left strong impressions on the workshop participants. Donna Griffit’s storytelling session was mentioned several times, with one participant stating, “The workshop with Donna was incredibly helpful. I learned to present my ideas more clearly and captivatingly.” Many participants takeaways from the workshops included how important it is to have the courage to go your own way, “Just do it! Better done than perfect.”
The program not only showed how research ideas can be transformed into entrepreneurial action, but also that a strong support network is paramount in the start-up community. “Most people are happy to help. Never be afraid to ask.”
The feeling of not being alone as women in science and entrepreneurship resonated with the participants, or, as one participant summed it up, “The program and its women speakers have empowered me to stay true to my path and not lose faith.”