The challenges associated with the digital transformation have led to start-ups assuming an essential function as drivers of the global economy. Dr Hannes Ametsreiter, CEO of Vodafone Germany and Member of the Vodafone Group Executive Committee, explained this to participants of the “Young Elite Summit 2017” hosted by the “Capital” business magazine yesterday at the EUREF-Campus in Berlin. At the tenth “Young Elite Summit“, Ametsreiter emphasised the need to empower female start-up entrepreneurs to a greater extent as a key prerequisite for improving equality of opportunity.
“Start-ups are an important driving force in the gigabit society, yet only 14.8 percent of companies are founded by women. This has to change. That’s why we launched F-LANE, the first accelerator in Europe for social ventures in technology to empower women”.
The event’s motto was “The Macron Generation – Time for Responsibility!“. It is organised for the members of the “Young Elite – Top 40 Under 40” in politics & government, society & science, management and business that “Capital” names every year.
Speaking to the younger generation, former constitutional judge and board member of Daimler AG and Volkswagen Christine Hohmann-Dennhardt said, “It takes great strength of character and an ability to self-reflect to be a role model for others in business and society.”
The Vodafone Institute for Society and Communication was the cooperation partner of this year’s “Capital Young Elite Summit”. The final pitches of the five international start-ups that have been selected for the F-LANE accelerator were also held: Gapsquare, Good On You, moWoza, Sou Sou and Kaaro Health. The audience consisted of renowned investors and young elites.
F-LANE is a six-week acceleration program for up to 5 high-potential digital impact ventures from all over the world focusing on female empowerment. It is hence for male and female entrepreneurs. Impact-driven entrepreneurs are invited to work, learn and live in Berlin. It is a collaboration between the Vodafone Institute, the Social Entrepreneurship Akademie and Impact Hub Berlin, and it organises several accelerator programmes each year. The next application round starts 20 November, 2017.