Female StartAperitivo is looking for Hamburg’s best female founders 2026
Since 2021, the Hamburg Investors Network has been championing greater visibility, networking and capital for female founders through the Female StartAperitivo competition. Having started as a local passion project in Hamburg and grown organically over the years, the event is now taking on a new format with the Female Founders Contest. The deadline for applications for the Hamburg semi-final on 11 June is 10 May.
In Hamburg, it’s still called Female StartAperitivo
The Business Angels Club Berlin-Brandenburg has taken over the organisation of the nationwide Female Founders Contest, so the final will take place in Potsdam on 10 September. However, the Hamburg semi-final remains true to its roots and will continue to be held under the established name Female StartAperitivo. New this year is an exclusive matching event with investors. This allows the female founders to establish targeted contacts at an early stage and build trust, thereby increasing their chances of securing investment. For the decisive pitch, the selected founders will each be given four minutes, followed by questions from a panel of experts, who will then award the ticket to the final in Potsdam.
Application criteria and competition process
All startups that meet the following conditions are eligible to participate:
The founding team must include at least one woman who holds at least 10% of the company’s shares.
The company’s headquarters must be located in Hamburg.
The team consists of fewer than 50 people.
The startup has already been established as a capital company.
It has already generated its first revenue. In the case of deep tech startups, proof of initial funding or financing must be provided alternatively.
Once all applications have been received, the Hamburg Investors Network will make a shortlist for the semi-finals. The winner there will then compete alongside the best candidates from eleven other preliminary rounds to pitch for valuable cash and non-cash prizes in the final.
