Launched by VivaTech, the Female Founders Challenge was created to spotlight women-led startups and support the growth of their groundbreaking innovations. This initiative not only provides visibility but also offers vital access to funding and networking in a tech industry where female representation remains limited.
The 2025 edition attracted over 500 entries from more than 80 countries, reflecting a surge in interest and competition. Today, we proudly introduce the five outstanding finalists who will compete in the final round, pitching revolutionary solutions that span climate tech, mental wellness, femtech, and sustainable food innovation.
1. Aranzazu Carmona Orbezo – Parallel Carbon (UK)
Title: Co-Founder & CTO
Focus: Carbon removal and clean energy
Parallel Carbon is developing an innovative solution that tackles climate change from two angles: removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and producing clean hydrogen fuel. Their system merges direct air capture with water electrolysis, delivering a double environmental impact.
About the Founder:
Dr. Aranzazu Carmona Orbezo holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Manchester. With deep expertise in electrochemical engineering and water systems, she spearheads the company’s technical innovations in carbon and hydrogen technologies.
2. Lara Gervaise – Virtuosis AI (Switzerland)
Title: Co-Founder
Focus: Mental health through AI voice analytics
Virtuosis AI started as a research project at EPFL in 2021 and has evolved into a startup using voice analysis to enhance mental health and communication. The platform, integrated into Microsoft Teams, offers real-time feedback on users’ stress levels and speaking styles based on voice data from meetings.
About the Founder:
With a strong academic background in microengineering, robotics, and data science, Lara Gervaise blends technology and psychology to promote mental well-being in professional environments.
3. Elissa Brunato – Radiant Matter (UK)
Title: Founder & CEO
Focus: Sustainable materials for fashion
Radiant Matter creates biodegradable, shimmering materials like their flagship product BioSequin™, offering an eco-friendly alternative to plastic-based glitter in the fashion industry. The materials are free from plastics, pigments, metals, or minerals and designed with circularity in mind.
About the Founder:
With an MA in Material Futures from the University of the Arts London, Elissa Brunato combines years of experience in sustainable design and innovation to push boundaries in biomaterials and eco-fashion.
4. Karolina Löfqvist – Hormona (Sweden)
Title: Founder & CEO
Focus: Hormonal health tracking for women
Hormona is a femtech platform that empowers women to understand and manage their hormones through an AI-driven app and at-home hormone testing kits. By providing personalized insights, the startup addresses long-standing gaps in women’s healthcare.
About the Founder:
After struggling with her own hormone imbalances and feeling unsupported by traditional healthcare systems, Karolina Löfqvist used her background in management consulting to launch Hormona and bring data-driven care to women worldwide.
5. Hélène Briand – Verley (France)
Title: Co-Founder
Focus: Animal-free dairy proteins via precision fermentation
Verley uses precision fermentation to produce dairy proteins without animals, helping food producers develop lactose-free, high-protein alternatives. The company’s work supports a more sustainable and ethical transition in the dairy industry.
About the Founder:
With a degree in agricultural science from L’École supérieure d’Agriculture, Hélène Briand has worked extensively in animal production R&D, nutrition, and product management across Europe and Southeast Asia.
Celebrating Innovation & Inclusion
The Female Founders Challenge is more than just a competition, it’s a platform for female entrepreneurship, inclusive innovation, and global impact. These five finalists represent the future of tech, tackling real-world challenges with creativity, resilience, and science.
