Startup News: Female Entrepreneurs in Europe
Discover the latest startup news, trends, and success stories from Europe's female entrepreneurs. Get insights on funding, bootstrapping, and innovation in the women-led business ecosystem. Stay informed with expert analysis and inspiring founder journeys.
About Us
We are a long-standing publication in the startup ecosystem, specializing in female entrepreneurship and bootstrapping startups in Europe.
With years of experience and an extensive network, we don’t just report news - we ensure our community stays at the forefront of innovation. From funding rounds and emerging technologies to the latest marketing tools and startup-building strategies, we cover it all.
With years of experience and an extensive network, we don’t just report news - we ensure our community stays at the forefront of innovation. From funding rounds and emerging technologies to the latest marketing tools and startup-building strategies, we cover it all.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.
The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
Why We’re Unique
While most publications focus on venture capital and "overnight success" stories, we are the only major platform in Europe dedicated to:
Female entrepreneurs
amplifying their voices and discussing their challenges
Bootstrapping startups
celebrating sustainable, self-funded growth over growth at all costs
Startups in Europe
tracking regional trends, policies, and opportunities
Our mission is to provide our community with access to cutting-edge technologies, resources, and insights to help you achieve real, measurable success.
Our Core Topics
-
Bootstrapping Startups
How to build and scale a business without relying on venture capital - practical strategies, case studies, and expert advice. -
Female Entrepreneurs in Europe
Spotlighting women-led startups, funding challenges, leadership insights, and success stories across industries. -
Startups in Europe
The latest trends, regulatory changes, and opportunities shaping the European startup landscape.
Join our community to stay up to date with the latest news
Our Startup News Blog
Our authors
Violetta Bonenkamp
Founder of Fe/male Switch, Business expert
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
Dirk-Jan Bonenkamp
Chief funding, finance and legal expert
About the Author
Dirk-Jan Bonenkamp is a versatile expert with experience in startup law, privacy law (including GDPR), intellectual property, and finance. He serves as the Chief Legal Officer and Co-Founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focusing on blockchain and machine learning solutions for CAD data management. Dirk-Jan's background includes roles as a tax consultant and legal professional, and he has also been involved in politics, leveraging these experiences to connect effectively with the public sector and develop cost-efficient solutions for startups and SMEs.
Dirk-Jan is instrumental in shaping the legal framework for CADChain's innovative technologies and acts as the Data Privacy Officer. His contribution extends beyond legal matters, as he also provides insights on legal and financial strategies for startups, such as the importance of shareholders' agreements and protecting intellectual property.
He is actively involved with Fe/male Switch, a non-profit initiative aimed at increasing female participation in STEM fields, which aligns with CADChain's mission to foster diversity and sustainability in the tech industry. Dirk-Jan's expertise is valuable in the blockchain sector, where he has worked since 2016, and his work bridges the gap between legal and technological innovation, particularly in the areas of manufacturing and CAD data.
Dirk-Jan Bonenkamp is a versatile expert with experience in startup law, privacy law (including GDPR), intellectual property, and finance. He serves as the Chief Legal Officer and Co-Founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focusing on blockchain and machine learning solutions for CAD data management. Dirk-Jan's background includes roles as a tax consultant and legal professional, and he has also been involved in politics, leveraging these experiences to connect effectively with the public sector and develop cost-efficient solutions for startups and SMEs.
Dirk-Jan is instrumental in shaping the legal framework for CADChain's innovative technologies and acts as the Data Privacy Officer. His contribution extends beyond legal matters, as he also provides insights on legal and financial strategies for startups, such as the importance of shareholders' agreements and protecting intellectual property.
He is actively involved with Fe/male Switch, a non-profit initiative aimed at increasing female participation in STEM fields, which aligns with CADChain's mission to foster diversity and sustainability in the tech industry. Dirk-Jan's expertise is valuable in the blockchain sector, where he has worked since 2016, and his work bridges the gap between legal and technological innovation, particularly in the areas of manufacturing and CAD data.
Evgeny Malyshev
AI tools, deep tech
About the Author
Evgeny Malyshev serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on emerging technologies such as blockchain and machine learning. With a unique background that spans both Mechanical Engineering and Information Technology, Evgeny brings a versatile skill set to his role.
As a seasoned full stack developer with knowledge of multiple programming languages, Evgeny embodies the startup mentality, capable of rapidly developing minimum viable products (MVPs) in just a few hours. His approach to development embraces "vibe coding" - an intuitive and creative programming style that allows him to tackle complex technical challenges with innovative solutions.
Professional Experience
At CADChain, Evgeny has been instrumental in bridging CAD (Computer-Aided Design) technology with blockchain solutions.
His expertise has been crucial in developing the company's flagship products:
Technical Expertise
Described as a "CAD Developer, researcher, and innovator", Evgeny's technical prowess is evident in his contributions to multiple projects. His work at a research institution for many years has honed his ability to apply cutting-edge technology to solve real-world problems. Colleagues recognize Evgeny for his "outside-the-box thinking approach" and passion for innovation. This creative mindset, combined with his technical skills, enables him to conceptualize and implement solutions that address complex challenges in the engineering industry, particularly regarding CAD data protection and sharing.
Impact and Contributions
Evgeny's technical leadership has been vital to CADChain's growth since its inception in 2018. He played a key role in the feasibility study that brought together CAD and blockchain technologies, laying the foundation for the company's innovative approach to intellectual property management for CAD data.
As part of the core team at both CADChain and Fe/male Switch, Evgeny continues to push the boundaries of what's possible at the intersection of engineering, blockchain, and artificial intelligence, helping to create solutions that protect digital assets while preserving intellectual property rights.
Evgeny Malyshev serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on emerging technologies such as blockchain and machine learning. With a unique background that spans both Mechanical Engineering and Information Technology, Evgeny brings a versatile skill set to his role.
As a seasoned full stack developer with knowledge of multiple programming languages, Evgeny embodies the startup mentality, capable of rapidly developing minimum viable products (MVPs) in just a few hours. His approach to development embraces "vibe coding" - an intuitive and creative programming style that allows him to tackle complex technical challenges with innovative solutions.
Professional Experience
At CADChain, Evgeny has been instrumental in bridging CAD (Computer-Aided Design) technology with blockchain solutions.
His expertise has been crucial in developing the company's flagship products:
- BORIS for Inventor - A plugin for Autodesk Inventor that creates digital twins of CAD files and enables users to maintain control over shared CAD files
- BlendedBoris - A solution for the open-source software Blender
- [Solutions for Solidworks]((https://solidboris.com) and 3D printing
Technical Expertise
Described as a "CAD Developer, researcher, and innovator", Evgeny's technical prowess is evident in his contributions to multiple projects. His work at a research institution for many years has honed his ability to apply cutting-edge technology to solve real-world problems. Colleagues recognize Evgeny for his "outside-the-box thinking approach" and passion for innovation. This creative mindset, combined with his technical skills, enables him to conceptualize and implement solutions that address complex challenges in the engineering industry, particularly regarding CAD data protection and sharing.
Impact and Contributions
Evgeny's technical leadership has been vital to CADChain's growth since its inception in 2018. He played a key role in the feasibility study that brought together CAD and blockchain technologies, laying the foundation for the company's innovative approach to intellectual property management for CAD data.
As part of the core team at both CADChain and Fe/male Switch, Evgeny continues to push the boundaries of what's possible at the intersection of engineering, blockchain, and artificial intelligence, helping to create solutions that protect digital assets while preserving intellectual property rights.
Darya Nikitina
AI SEO, UX/UI design
About the Author
Daria Nikitina is a seasoned UX/UI designer at Fe/male Switch, the women-first startup game that empowers users to develop entrepreneurial skills in a dynamic, gamified environment. With over five years of experience across various roles in product and interface design, Daria has worked in information technology, computer software, and marketing sectors, consistently delivering innovative solutions that blend aesthetics with functionality.
Daria holds a Master of Engineering from the University of Transport. She has also completed a specialized UX/UI course, further solidifying her expertise in user experience and interface design.
Beyond her design credentials, Daria is recognized for her multidisciplinary expertise in artificial intelligence, SEO, and digital strategy. Her work at Fe/male Switch leverages this broad skill set to create engaging, user-centered experiences that drive both learning and growth for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Daria’s career is marked by her passion for integrating cutting-edge technology with intuitive design, making her a sought-after expert in the intersection of design, AI, and digital marketing.
Daria Nikitina is a seasoned UX/UI designer at Fe/male Switch, the women-first startup game that empowers users to develop entrepreneurial skills in a dynamic, gamified environment. With over five years of experience across various roles in product and interface design, Daria has worked in information technology, computer software, and marketing sectors, consistently delivering innovative solutions that blend aesthetics with functionality.
Daria holds a Master of Engineering from the University of Transport. She has also completed a specialized UX/UI course, further solidifying her expertise in user experience and interface design.
Beyond her design credentials, Daria is recognized for her multidisciplinary expertise in artificial intelligence, SEO, and digital strategy. Her work at Fe/male Switch leverages this broad skill set to create engaging, user-centered experiences that drive both learning and growth for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Daria’s career is marked by her passion for integrating cutting-edge technology with intuitive design, making her a sought-after expert in the intersection of design, AI, and digital marketing.
Get the Latest Insights for Female Founders
Stay ahead with key insights and trends for female founders and self-funded startups across Europe. Join the discussion now!