October came with a spotlight on the startup world, with the Founders Forum Group unveiling its “100 Women Founders to Watch” list.
Highlighting 100 dynamic women founders across AI, femtech, climate tech, and more, this list celebrates leaders who are not just innovating—they’re redefining entire industries.
Collectively, these women have raised over $1.1 billion, showing the significant impact women-led businesses are making globally.
This list, developed in partnership with Institut auf dem Rosenberg and Anita Gademann, aims to champion exceptional founders from the UK & Europe, the United States, and Southeast Asia.
Founders Forum Group CEO Carolyn Dawson OBE said, “Our goal with the 100 Women Founders to Watch list is to shine a light on the most exceptional women blazing trails in the tech industry, connecting them with our influential network to support their growth.”
A Glimpse into the Top 100
The women on this list are solving global challenges with innovative solutions. In the U.S., Niya Gupta of Fork & Good is pioneering climate-friendly meat production through biomanufacturing, cutting carbon emissions by more than half. With $22 million in funding, Fork & Good is leading the charge toward sustainable food production.
Across the Atlantic, France’s Eloa Guillotin of Beyond Aero is making strides in sustainable aviation with the world’s first hydrogen-powered electric business aircraft. Her team’s impressive progress includes $914 million in Letters of Intent for 96 aircraft and $44 million in funding.
In Germany, Lilian Schwich’s Cylib recently secured €55 million, making it the largest-ever Series A round for battery recycling in Europe. And in Singapore, Fengru Lin of TurtleTree is innovating in nutrition with LF+, the world’s first sustainably-produced lactoferrin, backed by $32 million.
In the UK, Tommie Edwards of Tech1M is transforming the hiring landscape with an AI-driven recruitment platform. With $750,000 in funding, Tech1M merges data science and human-AI collaboration to streamline talent acquisition. These are just a few of the founders blazing trails in their industries, offering a beacon of possibility for women entrepreneurs everywhere.
The Funding Gap: What VCs Are Saying
But despite their groundbreaking work, many women founders continue to struggle for a share of venture funding. Women hold only 11% of investing partner positions in U.S. VC firms, and the figure in the UK has stalled at 30% since 2019.
Yvonne Bajela, a prominent voice in venture capital, sees the answer in elevating more women to decision-making roles in VC firms. “One of the most effective ways to narrow the gap is by empowering more women into investor roles,” Bajela explains. “Their presence could catalyze a shift in how capital is distributed.”
Meanwhile, Jeannette zu Fürstenberg of General Catalyst advises female founders to focus on building relationships early on. “Build strong relationships long before you start pitching. Investors are more likely to back founders they know and trust,” she says.
Initiatives to close this funding gap include placing more women in VC roles and encouraging limited partners (LPs) to join diversity-focused initiatives. These efforts are geared toward creating a more inclusive venture landscape—one that values diversity and offers fair opportunity.
The report also featured inspiring success stories of unicorn founders. Women, ofcourse!. You wouldn't know unless you get the full list here.
Importantly, the Founders Forum list isn’t a ranking or definitive list; it’s a platform to spotlight women founders who are driving impact and innovation. “This list is meant to connect these women with our community of unicorn founders, global investors, and corporate leaders, helping them on their growth journeys,” Founders Forum group notes.
As these women continue to break barriers, they’re showing the world that the future of innovation is diverse, and that their work is paving the way for the next generation of women founders.