Celebrating Diversity, Collaboration and Impact
The RiseUp Summit, organised by the Female Founders Initiative Switzerland, isn’t just another event in the entrepreneurial calendar: it’s a movement. The summit celebrates inclusivity, diversity, and tangible growth.
Our mission is to foster increased collaboration, ensuring that founders of all genders and backgrounds have equal opportunities to succeed.
Our aim is to create a more diverse ecosystem by giving space and a platform to inspire and empower women and by welcoming all who recognize and value the power of diversity and collaborative spirit.
Everyone’s participation is crucial in our joint effort to drive progress towards gender equality. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable startup landscape.
While the allure of becoming a “unicorn” startup is strong, we champion the Zebra approach — businesses that are committed to sustainable, impactful growth. At RiseUp, we champion this ethos, empowering entrepreneurs to build diverse, resilient, purpose-driven ventures that yield excellent returns on investment.
Join us and tap into a network of like-minded entrepreneurs and investors. Amplify your business potential, foster invaluable connections, and ensure that in the pursuit of growth, you never lose the essence, the sparkle, that makes your venture truly unique.
Be a part of this transformative journey, where we don’t just aim for the stars; we create our constellations. Let’s rise up, together, fostering an ecosystem that values diversity, sustainability, profitability, and genuine impact. Join us and tap into a network of like-minded entrepreneurs, investors and experts.
Let's RISE Together!
Merle Zur
Merle is Program Manager with a focus in Entrepreneurship & Diversity at Impact Hub Zurich and Co-Lead of the Female Founders Initiative. Her background is in intercultural communication and after having lived and worked in Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and the UK, her path finally led to beautiful Zurich. When Merle is not moderating or diving deep into planning her programs, you can find her outdoors on a run along the river or hiking up a mountain, on a yoga mat, or enjoying many good cups of coffee.
Merle is Resourceful, Irony-loving, Supportive and Energetic!
Vanessa Mohrig
Vanessa is part of the Female Founders Initiative Team and responsible for Marketing and Community Building at STARTUP CAMPUS. She is a Marketing Allrounder with extensive experience in startups, SMEs, and global companies. As as a founder herself (started her own company a couple of years ago) she knows the challenges that women entrepreneurs face in the business world. This is why she is dedicated to building a strong community of inspiring women who empower, inspire and support each other.
Marcela Durand
Marcela is Co-Lead of the Female Founders Initiative and Program Manager in Entrepreneurship & Diversity at Impact Hub Zurich. She brings expertise in PR, event and project management. With a background in Entrepreneurship and Brand Management, she founded her own fashion brand and worked with several companies in the fashion industry. Marcela also has extensive experience in the real estate sector. Committed to advancing gender equality, she is passionately dedicated to creating equal opportunities for founders within the Swiss startup ecosystem.
Sierra Hess
Sierra brings depth in executive research for Financial Services, coupled with a background in consulting and sales. With a bachelor’s degree and certification as a Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner and Success Coach, Sierra is deeply rooted in her commitment to inclusivity. She passionately dedicates herself to initiatives like “Female Founders” and “RiseUp Summit”, seeking to amplify their societal influence and drive transformation in the entrepreneurial space.
Sierra is Resilient, Influential, Sustaining and Evolving!
Lidia Plescan
With a strong background in trade and digital marketing, Lidia is dedicated to fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial community. With a heart full of passion for our mission, Lidia embodies the spirit of volunteering. She’s not just here to lend a hand; she’s here to make a difference, one high-five at a time. 🙌✨
Lidia is Reliable, Imaginative, Supportive and Enthusiastic!
Delphine Cassereau
Starting in an account manager position in her early years for an intergovernmental defense organization, Delphine developed a passion and a unique set of skills for operational excellence. She spent four months in Asia’s leading startup development program to learn how the best mentors guide entrepreneurs to success. Active in the European Freelance Community, she supported and coached small and medium-sized businesses before founding The Stepping Stone.
Delphine is Relentless, Idealistic, Sincere and Empowering!
