RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS AND ADVOCATES IN THE BASEL REGION

POWHER Award

We are proud to present the first female entrepreneurship award in the Basel region

The POWHER Award has been created to foster and celebrate outstanding female entrepreneurship and advocates recognizing and shining a spotlight on Basel’s most innovative women-led* startups as well advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

* Women is defined as any person who identifies as a woman

Why we exist

Why do we think this is important?

Women* remain largely underrepresented in entrepreneurship with only 15.5% of startups having female co-/founders. Systemic change is therefore necessary to empower female entrepreneurs.

How will we achieve that?

We create public awareness and visibility through celebrating entrepreneurs and advocates who help to make the societal changes necessary to unleash the power of female entrepreneurship.

How we start

2022 is the launch year of the POWHER award, which will for the first time be presented at the Basel Entrepreneurship Gala on November 18th, 2022.

The POWHER Award will be given out annually to women* who best demonstrate success with their innovative approach thereby deserving recognition for their work.

How nomination works

This year’s award categories are:

For outstanding female founders in the region:

“Hi-Tech Entrepreneur of the Year”
“Lo/No-Tech Entrepreneur of the Year”

For an exceptional personality or organization dedicated to promoting female entrepreneurship in the area.

“Advocate of the Year”

Who can be nominated?

Female founders of hi-tech or lo/no-tech startups, who are based in the Basel Region.
Advocates (either a person or initiative) facilitating a more diverse and equal entrepreneurial landscape.

Nominations are open until October 28th 2022 – tell us about your favorite entrepreneurial POWHER lady here.

Your prize!

What are the prizes for the female entrepreneurs?

Monetary prize to celebrate their teams
Voucher to continue, scale or grow their work with coaching from selected organizations
A “floating trophy” to honor their contribution and build a legacy.

What are the prizes for the advocate?

Recognition at the Global Entrepreneurship Week Basel.
A “floating trophy” to honor their contribution and build a legacy.

The POWHER Award is presented by the newly founded non-profit association "Female Entrepeneurs Basel" with support from the Innovations Office der Universität Basel: FEMtrepreneurs, Impact Hub Basel, Basel Area Business & Innovation and Startup Academy (Schweiz), as well as the sponsors SFL Regulatory Services, UBS, Baloise Group and supoorters.

Board: Karin Sartorius, Douglas Haggstrom, Daniela Prado Zumthor, Leonie Kellner, Stephanie Greiner, Maurus Basler

Jury: Shayesteh Fuerst-Ladani, Dr. iur. Sibylle von Heydebrand, Marilen Schwald, Martina Koch, Markus Kindle & Sibylle Fischer