OUR PURPOSE

The POWHER Awards have been initiated to foster and celebrate outstanding female entrepreneurship. The Awards shine a spotlight on startups led by innovative women* in the Basel region. Advocates who champion diversity, equality and inclusion in the entrepreneurial ecosystem are also honored through the POWHER Awards.

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. 


The POWHER Awards create public awareness and visibility through celebrating (female) entrepreneurs and advocates who help to make the societal changes necessary.


The Awards are presented during the Basel Entrepreneurship Gala.


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


nomination

call for Applications
Opens June 5


Step into the spotlight and nominate yourself or a friend, colleague, peer or any inspiring female entrepreneur or advocate in one of our three categories. After an eligibility check, the nominees are invited to complete a detailed application form in the second step of the process. The winners will be announced at the GEW Gala in November.


Categories

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  • HIGH-TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

    The High-Tech Entrepreneur of the Year award recognizes a founder who has made significant contributions in the development of cutting-edge technologies to create innovative products or services that have a significant impact on society. This award honors the dedication, perseverance and achievements of founders who have demonstrated entrepreneurial skills, leadership, and vision in launching tech-driven ventures, positioning them as role models and inspiration for future generations.

  • BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

    The Business Entrepreneur of the Year award recognizes a founder with remarkable achievements in the broader business landscape. This category celebrates entrepreneurs who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, innovative approaches to launch and grow their businesses across various industries, creating jobs and contributing to the economic growth and development of their communities. This award honors the role of business founders as inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs in diverse industries.

  • ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

    The Advocate of the Year recognizes a remarkable individual, initiative or organisation showing outstanding commitment and dedication to advocating for gender equality and empowerment of women in female intra- and entrepreneurship. This award honors their significant contributions as a catalyst for change to promote equal opportunities for women* in the innovation ecosystem.

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Criteria

Founder/co-founder/advocate identifying as a woman
(for the High-Tech and Business Award), all genders for the Advocate Award


Startup/company/organization founded in BS and BL
(company headquarters or significant part of revenue/impact/value added to both cantons)


“Thank you so much to the team for this incredible effort. It gives me goose bumps: The first POWHER Award in Basel. The beginning of something great! It fills me with pride to have made a small contribution!”


Martina Koch, UBS

Prizes

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MONETARY PRIZE


for founders to celebrate their teams


Vouchers


for founders to continue, scale, or grow their work with coaching from selected organizations


Recognition


for founders and advocates at the global entrepreneurship week basel and media coverage

THE AWARD CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE DURING

THE BASEL ENTERPRENEURSHIP GALA 2023

winners 2023

DR. ELENA GROSS

founder KETOSWISS

"Hi-Tech ENTREPRENEUR of the Year"

Fuel for the brain. KetoSwiss is a Swiss Life Science company developing novel, very tolerable migraine products in the form of medical foods which improve brain energetics (“MigraKet”). The lead product’s active substance is an endogenous metabolite – a ketone body, which can be used by the brain as an alternative fuel to glucose when glucose utilization or transport is compromised. In later stages of development, the portfolio can be extended to other neurological and psychiatric diseases characterized by metabolic dysfunction, such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

MARY D'ARCY BAGULEY

co-founder CTC RESOURCING SOLUTIONS AG

"BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR"

The Life Science Career Network – specialised industry experts who can help companies source the best talent and provide reliable HR and consulting services, support varied candidates in finding promising career opportunities and offer the latest in skill development training programmes.


EYLEM DEMIR SENTÜrk

FOUNDER WOMEN ON STAGE

"Advocate of the Year" 

The Vision of Women on Stage is to increase the number of women and female leaders in the Swiss labor market, to close the gender gap, decrease the unemployment rate and promotion of sustained economic growth. Women on Stage offers a unique program to young academicians, women having a career break, expats and women in business within the canton BS&BL to be coached and matched with top leaders in the Life Science Industry to help these female talents to advance in their career, and negotiate a salary which is line with their market value. During regular Networking Events, Women on Stage brings female talents and experts within the Life Science Industry together to address and overcome the challenges women face in Switzerland.

ALL AWARDS

"WOW! What an empowering moment to be the winner of the female entrepreneur of the year 2022! It was a fantastic night to celebrate so many outstanding women!"

CATHERINE MEUTER, VYN

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