Impact by Numbers
Who Should Apply
For Founders
- ✓Female founder or co-founder (minimum 51% female ownership)
- ✓Early-stage startup (pre-seed to Series A)
- ✓Based in or willing to operate in Switzerland or Poland
- ✓Any industry (tech, social impact, services, etc.)
Programme Details
- •Duration: 6 months
- •Time Commitment: 10-15 hours/month
- •Format: Hybrid (online + in-person)
- •Locations: Zürich and Warsaw
- •Cost: Free (no equity taken)
Applications Open: March 2026
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What We Do
Four integrated work packages designed to empower and scale female-led startups through research, education, acceleration, and technology.
Research & Ecosystem Mapping
Comprehensive needs analysis through interviews, focus groups, and surveys across Switzerland and Poland to understand barriers and opportunities for female founders.
- →≥50 in-depth interviews with founders
- →4 focus groups (2 per country)
- →≥400 survey responses
Open Educational Resources
Multilingual curriculum (EN/DE/PL) covering essential startup skills, from business modeling to internationalization strategies.
- →5-7 comprehensive learning modules
- →CC-BY licensed (fully open)
- →≥80% learner satisfaction target
Binational Accelerator
Intensive acceleration programme with mentoring, masterclasses, pitch training, and cross-border networking for 40 selected startups.
- →2 cohorts: 20 Swiss + 20 Polish startups
- →≥100 hours support per startup
- →100+ investor introductions
AI-Powered Matchmaking Platform
Our intelligent platform uses AI algorithms to connect founders with the right mentors, investors, and peers based on industry, stage, needs, and goals.
Create Your Profile
Tell us about your startup, experience, and needs
Get AI-Matched
Our algorithm finds the best mentors and connections
Connect & Grow
Build relationships and scale your startup
AI MENTOR MATCHING
DASHBOARD
Smart Algorithms
AI-powered matching based on 20+ criteria
500+ Users
Growing community of founders and mentors
Real-time Updates
Instant notifications for new matches
Your Journey with IDEAS Women
Learn
Access open educational resources and build essential startup skills
Connect
Get matched with mentors, investors, and peer founders through AI
Accelerate
Join intensive programme with workshops, coaching, and pitch training
Scale
Expand internationally with cross-border support and investor access
Consortium Partners
Four leading institutions from Switzerland and Poland bringing together research excellence, technological innovation, and practical acceleration expertise.
SGH Warsaw
Lead Partner
ZHAW
Co-Lead Partner
Faktorama
Tech Partner
Impact Hub Zürich
Acceleration Partner