Programme structure

Three pillars. One bilateral mission.

IDEAS Women is structured around three integrated programme pillars, delivered over 36 months across Switzerland and Poland. Each pillar addresses a distinct barrier female founders face on the path to investment.

The three pillars

Pillar 01 · M1–18

Investment Readiness Accelerator

A structured 6-month acceleration track that prepares female founders to raise capital with confidence. Combines evidence-based curriculum, expert coaching, and peer learning to close the investment-readiness gap.

Pillar 02 · M10–36

Investor–Founder Workshops

Intensive binational workshops that bring together female founders and investors from Switzerland and Poland. Structured sessions, cross-border study visits, and Demo Days create real investment conversations — not just networking.

Pillar 03 · M13–36

Bilateral Matching Platform

A purpose-built digital platform connecting female founders with investors, mentors, and peers across Switzerland and Poland. Smart matching by industry, stage, and challenge — with the goal of establishing lasting bilateral exchange between the two ecosystems.

Project timeline

Active now

Phase 1 — Research

Jan–Dec 2026

02

Phase 2 — OER curriculum

Jul 2026–Jun 2027

03

Phase 3 — Accelerator

Oct 2026–Dec 2028

04

Phase 4 — Platform

Jan 2027–Dec 2028

Foundation

PHASE 1 · M1–12

Research & ecosystem mapping

Comprehensive needs analysis and ecosystem mapping to understand barriers and opportunities for female founders in Switzerland and Poland. This evidence base informs the design of all three programme pillars.

Activities & deliverables

  • ≥50 in-depth interviews with female founders
  • 4 focus groups (2 per country)
  • ≥400 survey responses (200 CH / 200 PL)
  • Needs Analysis Report by Month 12

Expected outcomes

  • Evidence-based understanding of founder challenges
  • Identification of ecosystem gaps and opportunities
  • Data-driven foundation for programme design

Pillar details

Continuous activities

Dec 2026–Jun 2028

Policy & dissemination

Policy briefs, academic publications, and open-science outputs.

Jan 2026–Dec 2028

Communication & outreach

Website, social media, press, and community building.

Jan 2026–Dec 2028

Coordination & quality assurance

Project management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.