Mentoring at SheBuilds: Empowering Women in the Austrian Startup Ecosystem

On March 8th, 2026, I had the privilege of mentoring at SheBuilds, a celebration of women builders organized by Austrian Startups in honor of International Women's Day. This year's event brought together female founders, tech leaders, and innovators to share knowledge, build connections, and inspire the next generation of women in entrepreneurship. As a mentor, I had the opportunity to contribute to this vital community and witness firsthand the incredible talent and vision driving Austria's startup ecosystem.

What is SheBuilds?

SheBuilds is a dedicated initiative that celebrates International Women's Day by bringing together women builders, creators, and innovators. Organized by Austrian Startups, a neutral, independent, and non-profit platform supporting innovative entrepreneurship in Austria, the event showcases the talent and potential of female leaders in tech and entrepreneurship. The event emphasizes a simple but powerful message: "The age of the builder is here. And it's for everyone."

For anyone involved in Austria's startup ecosystem, this event represents more than just a celebration. It's a commitment to ensuring that women have access to the mentorship, visibility, and support they need to build transformative companies and lead in technology.

My Experience as a Mentor

Walking into the SheBuilds event, I felt the energy and excitement that comes when you bring together passionate, ambitious women all working toward similar goals. As a mentor, my role was to listen, share insights from my own journey with AI-powered solutions and content creation, and help attendees think through their challenges and opportunities.

What struck me most were the diverse perspectives in the room. Women at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey, from those just starting to conceptualize their ideas to seasoned founders scaling their companies, were all eager to learn, share, and support one another. The conversations ranged from product development and go-to-market strategy to fundraising challenges and building resilient teams.

I spoke with founders working on innovative solutions across various sectors, from AI and healthtech to sustainability and fintech. Many shared similar challenges: balancing growth with values, navigating funding conversations as women entrepreneurs, and finding the right mentors and advisors who understand their vision. These conversations reinforced something I am passionate about: mentorship and knowledge-sharing are critical components of building a thriving, inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Why Women in Entrepreneurship Matters

Women-founded companies have consistently shown strong returns on investment, yet they receive only a fraction of venture funding compared to male-founded teams. Beyond the financial case, diversity in entrepreneurship drives innovation. When women are at the table, as founders, leaders, and decision-makers, companies build better products, serve broader markets, and create more inclusive workplaces.

Austria's startup ecosystem is thriving, and events like SheBuilds are essential to ensuring that this growth is inclusive. By providing platforms for female founders to showcase their work, connect with mentors, and access resources, we create an environment where the best ideas, regardless of who has them, can flourish.

Key Takeaways from SheBuilds

Mentorship is a Two-Way Street: As mentors, we are often focused on what we can teach. But conversations with founders at SheBuilds reminded me that mentorship is equally about listening, learning, and being inspired by the next generation.

Community is Powerful: Building in isolation is difficult. The connections formed at events like SheBuilds, between founders, mentors, investors, and supporters, create a supportive ecosystem where everyone benefits.

Visibility Matters: For women entrepreneurs, being seen and celebrated is important. Events that amplify female voices and showcase their work help shift narratives and inspire others.

Diversity Drives Innovation: The range of ideas and approaches I encountered at SheBuilds reinforced that diverse teams and diverse leadership produce better outcomes.

Looking Ahead

My experience mentoring at SheBuilds reinforced my commitment to supporting female founders and leaders in tech. Whether through direct mentorship, sharing knowledge about building with AI tools, or contributing to conversations about resilience and sustainable growth, I am dedicated to being part of the solution.

If you are a female founder in Austria or beyond who is building something meaningful, I encourage you to seek out mentorship, build your network, and celebrate your progress. And if you are interested in supporting women entrepreneurs, consider getting involved in initiatives like SheBuilds. We need more voices, more visibility, and more support to ensure that the next generation of women builders has every opportunity to succeed.

The age of the builder is here. And it is for everyone.