New accelerator: digital startups for women’s emancipation

The project will be supported by the <link https://berlin.impacthub.net/>Impact Hub</link> and <link http://www.seakademie.de/>Social Entrepreneurship Akademie</link>. 142 innovative tech startups from 52 countries have applied to take part in <link http://www.f-lane.com/>F-LANE</link>. The project’s focus is on business models aimed at improving the situation of girls and women. The teams are made up of both female and male founders.

The selection process of the first teams will be finished by mid-December. From February 2017 onwards, for six weeks five startups will be working on their digital business models in the Impact Hub in Friedrichstrasse. The expected effects of digital solutions on the situation of girls and women in particular will be a decisive factor in the selection process. “Using technology, women in all areas can be empowered and supported. In order to achieve this, however, we need appropriate digital products and women need to be encouraged to take part in the development of technological processes,” says Alice Steinbrück, Head of Social Business at Vodafone Institute.

Up to 12,000 euros for accommodation and child care

Selected F-LANE startups will receive investments of up to 12,000 euros without having to hand over company shares. In addition, they will be given the chance to win over Vodafone as a major investor. Accommodation, too, and child care, if necessary, will be provided free of charge for the duration of the accelerator programme. Finally, the startups will be presenting their projects to potential investors during a demo day. The teams will be supported by mentors and Vodafone experts during the six-week period.

Teams from Libya, Vietnam and Chile have applied during the first round. Due to the strong demand from all over the world it is expected that F-LANE will start its second round in the coming summer. Those interested in taking part in the second round are free to apply as of now. In order to develop the accelerator, Vodafone Institute, in cooperation with the association <link http://www.women-in-digital.de/>Women in Digital</link> (#WIDI) consulted more than 100 female founders in Germany as part of a study.