About 1 in 10 women globally start a business, compared with 1 in 8 men, according to the latest Women’s Entrepreneurship Report by GEM. Another striking fact is that female-founded startups received only about 12% of total VC funding in Europe in 2024, with little progress expected for 2025. In light of these statistics, we want to shine a spotlight on CEE women leading the next wave of scaleup companies.
Please feel free to contact us if we missed something: [email protected]. The names are listed in alphabetical order.
Anastasia Kukhar, Petcube
Anastasia Kukhar is the CEO of Petcube, a pet-tech company that develops connected cameras and software allowing owners to monitor, communicate with, and interact with their pets remotely. The startup builds smart hardware and AI tools aimed at improving pet care. Anastasia steped into the role after successful work as Sales Director at the company.
Angela Ivanova & Gergana Stancheva, LAM’ON
Gergana and Angela are the co-founders of LAM’ON, a Bulgarian deep-tech startup developing biodegradable lamination films made from natural materials. Their technology aims to replace plastic laminates used in packaging and printed materials.
Gergana has spent over 10 years working in animation and illustration, while Angela is an entrepreneur with more than a decade in pre-press and print and serves as the co-founder and CEO of LAM’ON.
Hedi Mardisoo, Cachet
Hedi Mardisoo is the co-founder and CEO of Cachet, an insurtech company that provides flexible insurance products for gig-economy workers such as delivery drivers and platform workers. Hedi is a board member of the Estonian Founders Society and Allied for Startups, and an active member of the MyData community.
Konstantina Psoma, Kaedim
Konstantina Psoma is the co-founder and COO of Kaedim, a startup using AI to convert 2D images into production-ready 3D models. The platform helps game studios and creators dramatically accelerate the creation of 3D assets.
The idea for Kaedim was born from a project that Konstantina Psoma and Roman Bromidge worked on during their third year studying Computer Science with Innovation at the University of Bristol.
Linda Sejdova, snuggs
Linda Sejdova is the co-founder of snuggs, a Czech femtech brand producing reusable absorbent underwear as a sustainable alternative to disposable menstrual products. The company has scaled across Europe with a direct-to-consumer model.
She has worked with several startups, including LidskáSíla.cz, productboard, and BudgetBakers, where she developed global marketing strategies, built brands, and led marketing teams as a marketing manager.
Matija Nakić, Farseer
Matija Nakić is the co-founder and CEO of Farseer, a financial planning and analysis (FP&A) platform for mid-size companies. The software helps finance teams automate budgeting, forecasting, and business planning using real-time data.
After graduating in Computer Engineering, Matija completed an MBA program to combine her technical and business knowledge. Throughout her career she has worked at HT Eronet, Infocumulus, Span, and Five.
Małgorzata Ohme, Mindgram
Małgorzata Ohme is the co-founder of Mindgram, a mental-health platform that provides therapy, coaching, and wellbeing tools to employees through corporate benefit programs.
Ohme is a psychologist, a journalist, and a TV presenter. She graduated in social psychology from SWPS in Warsaw.
Nikolina Lauc, GlycanAge
Nikolina Lauc is the co-founder and CEO of GlycanAge, a health-tech startup developing biological age tests based on glycan biomarkers. The company uses blood analysis and glycan data to help predict age-related diseases and enable personalized preventive healthcare.
Nikolina is a serial entrepreneur with over 11 years of experience. She has co-founded several startups across SaaS, travel, and consumer health, and is the co-inventor of a patent in women’s health diagnostics.
Zsuzsa Kecsmar, Antavo AI Loyalty Cloud
Zsuzsa Kecsmar is the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Antavo, a SaaS platform that helps global brands design and manage AI-powered customer loyalty programs. Antavo’s technology is used by major companies to build data-driven engagement and retention strategies.
Zsuzsa is a former journalist who won the European Young Journalist Award from the European Commission.
