Dr. Gesa Miczaika, Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund – Breaking Down Structural Barriers for Female Founders

About this episode

Only 16% of all founders are women – a statistic that Dr. Gesa Miczaika is determined to change. As co-founder of Auxxo and the Female Catalyst Fund, she actively works to encourage more women to take the leap into entrepreneurship and overcome structural barriers.

Diversity as a Success Factor

That greater diversity in founding teams demonstrably leads to better success rates is no longer a secret. Yet the proportion of female founders remains shockingly low. The Female Catalyst Fund therefore follows a clear approach: it invests exclusively in startups where at least 20% of the shares are held by women.

The Problem of Unequal Equity Distribution

A central issue that Dr. Miczaika addresses is the fact that women on average hold fewer shares in their own companies than their male co-founders. This discrepancy has far-reaching consequences – not just for the individual financial participation of female founders, but also for their decision-making power and long-term influence on the company.

The Right Time to Found

When is the right time to start a company? This question occupies many potential founders. Dr. Miczaika shares her experiences and insights on how to recognize the optimal moment to make the jump into entrepreneurship.

Female Role Models and Their Importance

An important aspect for more women in the founding space is female role models. Dr. Miczaika discusses whether we will see more female role models in the coming years and what impact this could have on the founding landscape.

Equity Assessment in Founding

How should equity be measured in a founding? This fundamental question affects all founders, but is particularly relevant when it comes to fair participation of women. Dr. Miczaika explains which factors should play a role in equity distribution.

The Power of Networking

Networking plays a crucial role in the startup ecosystem. Studies show that 85% of all jobs are filled through networks – a principle that also applies to investments and business opportunities. Dr. Miczaika shares her experiences with how networking influenced her founding journey.

Learnings for Other Founders

What would Dr. Miczaika have liked to know earlier about founding? This reflection is particularly valuable for aspiring founders who want to learn from the experiences of successful entrepreneurs.

Auxxo Today

Where does Auxxo stand today? Dr. Miczaika provides insights into the current situation of her company and the Female Catalyst Fund. This transparency shows that successful foundings are a continuous process.

Advice for the Founding Journey

Finally, Dr. Miczaika shares her most important advice with other founders. These practical tips are based on real experiences and can help others avoid typical pitfalls.

The Female Catalyst Fund and Dr. Miczaika's work demonstrate that targeted support and structural changes are necessary to inspire more women to found companies. Only through conscious efforts can we overcome the 16% mark and create a more diverse startup landscape.