We celebrated International Women's Day on March 8th 2022

Last year on March 8th 2021, my team and I invited only eight women (due to covid restrictions) entrepreneurs convened at Minc to commemorate International Women's Day. This year, I was excited to collaborate with MINC, Almi, and UNOPS S3i Innovation Centre to celebrate International Women's Day.

Special Edition of WiE breakfast

It was a team work that we managed to gather more than 100 women entrepreneurs at Minc on March 8th for WIE breakfast. This special edition of Women in Entrepreneurship event provided a valuable opportunity for professionals to expand their networks after a challenging period during the pandemic. The purpose of the event:

• Foster a more inclusive startup community through gender equality.
• Inspiring and supporting early-stage women entrepreneurs
• Provide a dynamic platform for women entrepreneurs to connect, exchange insights, and build valuable relationships

Panel Discussion with Coline, Brandy, & Lotta

We organized a panel discussion featuring three women founders at different stages of their entrepreneurial journeys, aiming to inspire our audience through knowledge sharing.

• Coline, who is in the early stages of launching a sustainable condom company, emphasized the significance of embracing the present moment. Despite the fast pace of entrepreneurial endeavors, she highlighted the importance of staying grounded and focused on the here and now.
• Brandy, the co-founder and COO of Knologram AB, shared the positive impact of diversity within her team on the company's success. She also discussed the unique experience of founding a company alongside her life partner.
• Lotta, co-founder of Svava, underscored the value of taking time to find the right co-founder, emphasizing that this individual will be with you through all the highs and lows. She emphasized the importance of co-founders who offer support beyond work, contributing to both business success and a healthy work-life balance.

Networking emerged as a crucial topic during the discussion. Lotta stressed the necessity of constant communication and building a robust network for business success. Coline echoed this sentiment, noting that the network one builds pays off. Brandy advised the audience to connect with individuals who embrace their ideas and genuinely support them on a personal level.

Co-Organizers & Breakout Sessions

I emphasized the importance of connectivity in establishing a healthy startup ecosystem and the role that Skåne Startups played in it. And all other organizations introduced ourselves and showcased our organizations' offerings and services to ensure accessibility and familiarity for everyone in the community.

• Representing Almi Företagspartner, Maria and Anna discussed the range of services they provide, from financial support to helping build effective marketing and sales strategies.
• Sara and Jonas from UNOPS S3i Innovation Centre highlighted their support for entrepreneurs in incorporating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their business models.
• Dzenis and Katja from MINC shared their efforts to encourage more women to enter the world of entrepreneurship.

To provide immediate value to our participants, we organized breakout sessions where they could engage with co-organizers on topics such as financing, finding co-founders, business development, SDGs, and the Skåne Startup community.

Above all, we prioritised cultivating a network of diverse women entrepreneurs. For me personally, I believe in the significance of coming together, forging meaningful connections, and leveraging our network to make a real impact.

As Katalin Vikuk, the head of WiE said, "When women are supported in their entrepreneurial journeys, they create jobs, solve problems that otherwise go unaddressed, and stimulate the economy by reinvesting their earnings." Over the past months, I am so proud the WiE team has partnered with Ideon Innovation, The Ground, Mindpark, and many other players to facilitate impactful discussions among women and minority entrepreneurs around Skåne. Together we can build a stronger, healthier, and more diverse startup community in southern Sweden.