At events like the European Forum Alpbach, special moments and personal experiences really stand out.
We gathered different perspectives from our team members—Valerie and Lisa—who each attended the 2024 edition and took something different away from the gathering.
Valerie (Co-CEO), participated as an expert at the MEGA Hackathon. Meanwhile, Lisa (Co-Founder and Fund F Managing Partner), a fan of unique experiences, shares how hiking in the Tyrolean Alps helped spark creativity and connection in a way that no conference room ever could. And, both were part of a powerful discussion on financial literacy for women.
Here’s what they had to say about their time at Alpbach.
Valerie’s Expert Session
During her time at Alpbach, our Co-CEO Valerie had the opportunity to be an expert at the MEGA Hackathon, an event organized by the MEGA Education Foundation and the Liechtenstein Group. The hackathon brings people together to collaborate and develop national and international projects in a hands-on, interdisciplinary way.
Let’s see what she thought of the experience.
It was amazing to see how the projects and initiatives developed over the two days and the great atmosphere of collaboration between the groups. With no sign of competition, everyone cross-collaborated and learned from each other’s projects. A big part of that was thanks to Matthias Strolz, who moderated the event. He always made sure discussions aren’t superficial and everyone’s voice is integrated.
When I was mentoring the groups, a lot of the conversations revolved around finding funding (which always comes up!) and sharing insights on how to make their projects more efficient.
During my expert round with Michaela Ernst from Sheeconomy on “Breaking Barriers: Female Leadership, Women as CEOs and Founders – Challenges and Opportunities” moderated by Matthias, we talked about how women can get a seat at the table and shared some of the stereotypes we’ve faced in our careers.
One of the most common questions I get is how to attract more women as co-founders or employees. My advice is to always think of a woman when you’re writing job offers. I noticed in my past experience that if you think of the dream candidate as a woman, you also write the job offer differently.
Secondly, many women doubt their qualifications, so it can take patience and encouragement to get them to go for a promotion or job. My advice: be persistent and keep reminding women that they absolutely deserve that seat at the table.
Overall, the hackathon was a huge success. Two startups won in the end and they received 5000€!
It is so important to not only give female founders mentoring but also money to achieve their goals—because women like to get funds.
Finance Talk
Financial literacy among women is not a myth.
To address this issue—instead of following the usual format of presentations, step-by-step workshops, or content-heavy lectures—we organized a unique event for open, honest discussions about women and finance.
The idea wasn’t to teach or lecture but to tackle the biggest obstacle to financial literacy: the fact that these conversations don’t happen as often as they should.
The goal was simple—to create a space where talking about money wasn’t just okay, it was the main focus. We set up roundtable discussions in a comfortable, relaxed environment where everyone could feel at ease sharing their stories.
No formalities, no scripts. Just real conversations.
Everyone was invited to lay their cards on the table and openly discuss their fears, challenges, experiences, and the things they’ve learned, both from their successes and their failures.
What emerged from these hours of dialogue was more than just shared knowledge; it was the beginning of meaningful relationships. Some took on the roles of mentors, others as mentees, naturally fostering a network of support and guidance that extended beyond the event. We gathered a diverse group of women with various levels of financial experience and understanding, and that diversity enriched the discussions, making them both insightful and empowering.
The atmosphere was full of laughter and sometimes vulnerability—all of which contributed to breaking down the walls that often keep financial literacy as an elusive or intimidating concept. More than anything, this event underlined the importance of communication.
Financial literacy isn’t just about knowing the right terms or having an investment strategy; it’s about being open to discussing money, learning from each other, and feeling empowered to manage finances confidently. Everyone left with insights and a mission to keep the conversation going.We encouraged them to talk about money with their friends and family, breaking the taboo and opening the door to financial confidence and empowerment for more women.
The conversation moved beyond simply educating women about finance. We addressed the underlying issue: the silence surrounding money matters.
Hiking with Lisa
Lisa, our Co-Founder and Fund F Managing Partner was part of a hike that proved just as enriching for the body and soul as it was for the mind. Here’s her perspective on the experience.
I’m a big fan of special, out-of-the-ordinary experiences during events. Because let’s face it: sitting in a conference room all day long can be super draining, and at some point, your focus starts to fade. Plus, events typically don’t promote the healthiest lifestyle.
Between the long afterparty nights, constant snacking, and completely disrupted routines, it’s hard to stay balanced. That’s why I love the concept of hikes in Alpbach. It combines the best of several worlds:
- Making use of the amazing Tyrolean landscape, so you don’t feel like you’re missing out on the experiences of being outdoors
- Movement, which is great for both body and mind
- Connecting people in a very different way
These hikes also help me think outside the box. There’s something about being under a clear blue sky, feeling a light summer breeze, and indulging in some Kaiserschmarrn that really sparks creativity.
For me, this is what gatherings like Alpbach are about: thinking differently, challenging the status quo, and contributing to a better future for all of us.
The “World of Women*” (WoW*) initiative is dedicated to amplifying women’s voices and fostering gender equality through meaningful platforms for dialogue, collaboration, and connection. At EFA24, WoW* underscored the importance of women’s participation in shaping Europe’s future, creating lasting opportunities to challenge the status quo and inspire change.
EFA works hand-in-hand with its partners, harnessing their expertise and networks to advance the mission of WoW*. Female Founders, as a key partner, have been instrumental in this effort, contributing their leadership, insights, and steadfast dedication to promoting financial empowerment and inclusive professional networks. These ongoing efforts exemplify the transformative impact of collective action in driving gender equality.
Join this evolving movement at the European Forum Alpbach 2025, from 16 to 29 August 2025 —where bold ideas and diverse voices will once again come together to shape the future. Don’t miss the chance to engage, inspire, and create meaningful change!
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