"Every vote counts," emphasise the organisers from the "Women Entrepreneurs in Science" project team, WES for short. From Wednesday, 24 September, they will be sharing short videos of the start-up teams that have applied for the Pitch Night at the Founders SUMMIT on their Instagram channel @women_entrepreneurs_in_science.

The Pitch Night

From a large number of applications from all over Germany, the top 20 were drawn by lot and given the chance to present their business ideas at the Pitch Night - in other words, to pitch in front of an audience. The Pitch Night will take place on the evening of the Gründerinnen Summit from 6 pm.

An honorary jury of experts from the WES network will judge the application videos of the top 20, while an open vote will take place on the WES Instagram channel: From Wednesday, 24 September 2025, the start-up community, customers, fans, family, friends and all other interested parties can leave a Like for their favourite start-up team under the respective video. Six start-up teams from all over Germany will be selected for the Pitch Night in Wuppertal.

The evening's programme has even more to offer: Prof Dr Christine Volkmann, initiator and project manager of Women Entrepreneurs in Science at University of Wuppertal, invites State Secretary Gitta Connemann and NRW Minister Mona Neubaur to a discussion about female founders in Germany. Afterwards, founder Polina Sergeeva will give a personal insight into the development of her start-up menstruflow and then answer questions from the audience.

Finally, the winners of the Pitch Night will be honoured and will receive the WES Award and prize money provided by GoDaddy, Wirtschaftsjunioren Wuppertal e. V. and Wirtschaftsförderung Wuppertal AöR.

The day's programme

The Female Founders SUMMIT creates visibility for female founders from Germany. The exhibition area, where female founders present their products and services, opens at 11 am. Here, visitors can browse the stands and engage in direct dialogue. Various workshops and dialogue formats will take place throughout the day. Here, participants can be inspired by experts and expand their knowledge about founding, growing and networking.

11.30 am: A safe digital start: sightseeing flight for female founders

For all those for whom cybersecurity is a closed book and who want to set up their start-up project securely right from the start.

1.30 pm: Capital Connect - spaces for capital, contacts & collaboration

For all investors or those interested in the topic and start-ups who would like to engage in dialogue with investors.

4 pm: Female Role Models - Perspectives on female leadership, founding & succession

For anyone who wants to learn from women with different backgrounds and ask their questions.