Why Do We Still Need to Say “Female” Before “Founder”? | H-FARM

Female Founder? Just FounderWe don’t pretend that saying “female founder” is no longer necessary. There is more room for women at the table than there was 10 years ago but there are still extra hurdles, masks to wear, and labels that refuse to disappear. The numbers explain part of the story, but the rest lives in the experiences, frustrations, and pride of the women who build companies every day. We asked 3 founders from our ecosystem to share theirs.

Elena is co-founder and CEO of EcoSteer, an IoT and blockchain startup that turns industrial and consumer data into secure and shareable streams. Back in 2017, EcoSteer joined our Industry 4.0 Accelerator in partnership with Cisco.As women, we’ve been taught from a very early age that we occupy a very precise place in the world – albeit one decorated with nice things like care, empathy, and beauty. That’s the space we’re expected to stay in, even when we found a company. “I’m saying this for your own good – you should let a man present your technology.” This is just one of the pearls of wisdom I’ve been graciously offered. Happily, it’s not always like that, but being a woman has certainly made everything more difficult. Still, I build. Not because it’s easy or glamorous – it’s mostly spreadsheets and stubborn investors – but because I’ve got ideas worth fighting for. And if that means crashing a few boys’ club meetings with a pitch deck and a smile, so be it.

Valentina is co-founder and CEO of Rilemo, a portable, AI-driven imaging device that helps clinicians detect and monitor fluid build-ups and other conditions in real time. Rilemo took part in one of our Storming Pizza startup competitions. For me, being a female founder is above all a source of pride and joy. Working in a deep tech sector still largely male-dominated, I deeply value having built a team where gender diversity is seen as a strength, not as a gap to fill.I have not personally felt diminished or excluded because of being a woman, and I believe the imbalance is less about direct barriers and more about the scarcity of role models. This is why I feel both the responsibility and the desire to share my story, to show other young women that if they want to, they can be entrepreneurs too.

Claudia is founder and CEO of NuHpro, developing food solutions and supplements for sports, junior nutrition, and people living with intolerances and conditions. NuHpro took part in one of our Storming Pizza startup competitions. The fact that “female founder” still exists means the distinction is still real.I run a startup in food and I’m opening one in tech. Most of the time, I’m taken seriously only after I present. I overthink what I wear because first impressions for a woman still feel like everything.Being a female founder still means proving “something extra.” There’s a lot of talking, conferences, shiny numbers, but very few people who actually back women in business. So yes, sometimes you learn to wear a mask. I’m proud of who I am under it and I’m waiting for the day I can take it off.