Introduction
I am Violetta Bonenkamp, founder of the F/MS Startup Game, and this is part eight of our series answering 1,000 popular "how to" questions that founders in our game have asked us over the years. These questions come from European and mostly bootstrapped entrepreneurs who are building practical, revenue-focused startups, often as women and first-time founders.
In this part we focus on launching tech startups with minimal resources, mastering free and paid SEO and keyword tools like Ahrefs and Moz, using AI for marketing and research, and the mindset shifts you need to stay competitive as a founder. Use this as a reference whenever you are building a tech business, choosing your first tools, or doubting whether your idea is worth pursuing.
Check out the Complete "How to" Series:
🔗 1000 Startup How-To Questions Part 1: Startup Strategy, Funding and Business Fundamentals
🔗 1000 Startup How-To Questions Part 2: SEO, Naming, and Competitive Analysis
🔗 1000 Startup How-To Questions Part 3: Content, Business Models, and Growth
🔗 1000 Startup How-To Questions Part 4: Finding Customers, Funding, and Keywords
🔗 1000 Startup How-To Questions Part 5: Backlinks, Funding, Growth, and AI Visibility
🔗 1000 Startup How-To Questions Part 6: Launching, Naming, Tools, and Fundraising
🔗 1000 Startup How-To Questions Part 7: Costs, Funding, Naming, and Starting Up
🔗 1000 Startup How-To Questions Part 8: Tech Startups, Tools, AI, and Keyword Research
🔗 1000 Startup How-To Questions Part 9: SEO Tools, Schema Markup, and AI Optimization
🔗 1000 Startup How-To Questions Part 10: 2026 Trends, AI, and Future Opportunities
How to start a sustainable living blog business
Pick a specific angle like zero waste in your city or sustainable fashion, create consistent blog content paired with practical guides and product recommendations. Monetize via affiliate links, sponsorships from eco brands, or digital courses once you have monthly readers.
How to start a tech business with no money
Validate your idea by solving it manually for a few customers and charging for your work, then gradually automate and build tech. Use free no-code tools and freelancers on contract so you only pay for what delivers revenue.
How to start a tech company
Define a clear technical problem your co-founders can solve better than anyone else, assemble a team with complementary skills, and focus on building real traction before fundraising. Keep your initial tech stack simple and boring so you can move fast.
How to start a tech startup
Find a painful problem in an underserved market, build an MVP using existing tools or frameworks, and launch to real users within weeks. Measure core metrics like activation and retention, and iterate ruthlessly based on user behavior.
How to start a tech startup company
Validate problem-solution fit before writing a single line of production code, build with co-founders or a small technical team, and focus on acquisition and retention metrics. Keep runway longer by bootstrapping or running a service side business while you build.
How to start a venture
Identify a market with strong tailwinds and a clear need, recruit a team that has skin in the game, and focus ruthlessly on one metric that shows product-market fit. Plan for multiple pivots and keep cash burn low until you have clear demand signals.
How to start a women's empowerment business
Target a specific group of women like entrepreneurs, professionals returning to work, or artists, and build offerings that address their real barriers. Center community and connection alongside your core product or service.
How to start an ai company
Choose a specific use case where AI solves a painful, repetitive task better than humans, use existing models and APIs instead of training custom models, and focus on the domain expertise that creates moats. Start as a service business before building product.
How to start an edtech business in singapore
Research Singapore's regulations on educational content and accreditation, validate demand with schools and parents, and understand local funding programs like Enterprise Singapore grants. Consider whether your model works in Southeast Asia or if you need regional partnerships.
How to start an electronic business
Source reliable suppliers, validate demand with pre-orders or small batches, and understand electronics certifications and import taxes in your market. Keep inventory minimal until you prove consistent demand.
How to start an influencer agency
Identify a niche like micro-influencers in SaaS or fashion in Northern Europe, build relationships with 10 to 20 vetted creators, and create simple campaign packages. Prove ROI with the first few clients before scaling.
How to start an influencer management agency
Recruit creators you believe in, provide them with service infrastructure like contracts and rates, and take a cut from their brand deals. Start with five to ten creators and focus on deal quality over volume.
How to start an influencer marketing agency
Specialize in a vertical like SaaS or e-commerce, build packages that combine influencer selection, campaign management, and analytics, and start with pilot clients willing to share results. Use case studies to land bigger brands.
How to start an influencer marketing agency step by step
First, define your niche and service offering, then build a small creator roster, then land your first three paid clients with clear brief and expected outcomes. Document the process, measure results, and productize your services before scaling.
How to start an influencer program
Define what micro-influencers you want to work with, create clear guidelines and incentives like discount codes or commissions, and make it easy for them to participate. Track referrals and rewards so creators are motivated to continue.
How to start an innovative business
Solve a problem that existing competitors ignore or get wrong, talk to potential customers obsessively to find that insight, and build a solution that is simple enough to launch quickly. Stay lean so you can pivot if your innovation misses the market.
How to start business as a teenager
Choose services that match your schedule and skills, involve a parent or guardian in financial and legal setup, and deliver reliably to build reputation. Use platforms like Fiverr or local community groups to find your first customers.
How to start business course
Define your exact target student and the transformation you deliver, structure content into digestible modules with homework and examples, and pilot with a cohort live. Once your process works, transition to recorded or evergreen versions.
How to start business in sweden
Register with the Swedish Companies Registration Office, understand VAT and employer tax obligations, and check Swedish labor laws if you hire anyone. Use Swedish startup resources and tax incentives available to new ventures.
How to start business with zero investment
Offer services using skills you already have, use only free tools and platforms, and charge your first clients immediately. Reinvest revenue to build or buy only what directly generates more revenue.
How to start canva business
Create templates for common design needs in your niche, upload them to Canva's Design Kit marketplace or sell directly on Gumroad, and use passive income to fund other business activities. Focus on solving specific design problems, not generic templates.
How to start commission based business
Choose a product or service with high commission rates, validate that you can actually close sales before investing time, and negotiate clear terms and payment schedules. Build reputation in your niche so customers want to buy through you.
How to start d2c business
Validate your product or service with pre-orders, build a simple ecommerce or Shopify store, and focus on one traffic source at a time. Use email and community to create lasting customer relationships beyond one transaction.
How to start electronic business
Source from reputable wholesale or manufacturer partners, test demand with small orders, and understand returns and warranties before scaling. Keep cash flow healthy by negotiating payment terms.
How to start electronics business
Map your supply chain from manufacture through logistics, validate pricing and demand, and understand certifications and compliance in your target markets. Start with one product and perfect operations before adding SKUs.
How to start igaming business in 2024
Understand gaming licenses and regulations in your target countries, validate your game concept with players, and partner with proven platforms or technology providers. Budget for marketing and user acquisition from day one.
How to start in the real estate business
Choose a focus like residential sales, property management, or investing, build local expertise, and start with people you already know. Get licensed where required and invest in systems to track properties and clients.
How to start influencer marketing
Identify where your audience congregates on social platforms, find creators with authentic engagement rather than vanity followers, and propose clear value exchanges. Track every campaign with promo codes or links so you know what works.
How to start influencer marketing agency
Define your creator verticals and brand verticals, build a process for matching creators to briefs, and charge retainers or commission on campaign value. Prove results on pilot campaigns before pitching larger brands.
How to start my own franchise
Research franchise costs, talk to current franchisees, and verify that the business model aligns with your capital and time availability. Hire a lawyer to review the franchise agreement before signing anything.
How to start real estate business
Specialize in a geographic area or property type, build a network of agents, investors, or lenders, and create systems for lead generation and deal management. Real estate success compounds via reputation and relationships over years.
How to start small business at home
Choose a business with low overhead like services or dropshipping, set clear boundaries around work space and time, and use your home address only until you scale. Understand tax and legal implications of home-based operations.
How to start startup without money
Sell services using your existing skills to fund product development, use free or very cheap tools, and avoid hiring until you have consistent revenue. This approach takes longer but means you own 100 percent and have validated demand.
How to start tech business alone
Focus on a narrow problem you can solve solo, use no-code or off-the-shelf solutions instead of custom code, and charge immediately. Plan to hire only when you are drowning in work, not when you think you should.
How to start tech company
Recruit co-founders with complementary skills and shared commitment, validate that customers have the problem you think they do, and build with frameworks and libraries instead of from scratch. Keep equity discussions and vesting aligned early.
How to start your own business from zero code
Use no-code platforms like Bubble, Make, or Zapier to build your product, hire freelancers for custom code only if no-code reaches its limits, and focus on customer development. Many successful startups started this way.
How to start your own tech company
Find a technical co-founder you trust, validate the market problem through customer conversations, and build incrementally rather than the perfect product. Own your first year of operation, then decide whether to seek investment or bootstrap.
How to stay motivated as an entrepreneur in 2026
Build a peer group of other founders to share struggles and wins, celebrate small milestones frequently, and reconnect regularly with why you started. Take time off so you do not burn out and can think clearly about strategy.
How to stay updated with startups in amsterdam
Follow local accelerators, attend monthly founder meetups, join Amsterdam startup Slack groups or WhatsApp communities, and subscribe to newsletters like Amsterdam Startup. Build relationships at events so you stay connected to founders and investors.
How to steal competitors keywords
Use tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or SEMrush to export competitor organic and paid keywords, analyze which ones bring them the most traffic, and identify gaps they are not covering. Focus on keywords they ignore or rank poorly for.
How to steal keywords from your competitors
Enter competitor URLs into a keyword tool, export their full keyword list, and compare to your own keyword universe. Prioritize keywords where they rank high and you do not yet rank, or where they have weak content.
How to stop doubting your greatness
Collect evidence of your wins and impact, share your story with people you trust, and reconnect with your original vision regularly. Imposter syndrome decreases when you build in public and see your work help real people.
How to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life
Take the next step toward your goals even if you feel unprepared, surround yourself with people who believe in you, and practice gratitude for what you have built. Action creates confidence more than confidence creates action.
How to submit a site to moz
In Moz, add your site in Site Crawl, select crawl settings, and run the crawl to get SEO insights. Moz will index your site automatically, but submitting through Site Crawl gives you more detailed data.
How to submit backlinks
Backlinks are created when other sites link to you, not something you submit. Focus instead on creating linkable content, reaching out to relevant sites, and building relationships. Use SEO tools to track backlinks you earn.
How to submit backlinks free
You cannot submit backlinks directly, but you can earn them by creating high quality content, reaching out to journalists and bloggers, and guest posting. Track your backlinks with free tools like Ubersuggest or Moz Link Explorer.
How to submit to moz index
Add your site URL to Moz by using their Site Crawl tool or manually submitting through their dashboard. Moz will crawl and index your pages automatically over time.
How to succeed as an intern
Show up early, ask questions, own your projects end-to-end, and build relationships with people across the organization. Use the internship to learn specific skills and build a track record you can reference for future roles.
How to succeed in a startup
Focus relentlessly on the metrics that matter, communicate clearly with your team about priorities and constraints, and ship something tangible every week. Startups reward speed and learning, not perfection.
How to succeed in an internship
Pick internships that align with your goals, deliver work with owner mentality, and use the role to build skills and references. Document your projects so you can talk about them confidently in interviews.
How to support female entrepreneurs
Mentor or invest in founders working on problems you care about, amplify their work on your platforms, and challenge bias when you see it in funding or partnership conversations. Share your network and connections generously.
How to target early adopters
Research where your early adopter audience congregates online, create content that speaks to their specific problems, and make it easy for them to try your product. Early adopters value founders, transparency, and solving real problems.
How to tell if a keyword is competitive
Check the search results for that keyword and see how many established sites rank, use tools like Ahrefs to view keyword difficulty scores, and compare the difficulty to your domain authority. Competitive keywords require sustained effort and authority.
How to test and validate your brand identity
Test names, logos, and messaging with 20 people from your target audience, measure their emotional response and recall, and iterate based on feedback. Strong brand identity feels inevitable in retrospect, not clever on the first try.
How to test startup idea
Talk to 20 potential customers about the problem and their current solutions, create a simple landing page and run small ads, or pre-sell a version of your offer. Any signal of willingness to pay is validation enough to move forward.
How to think of a business name
Brainstorm widely using different frameworks like portmanteaus, metaphors, or founder names, narrow to ten candidates, then test with target customers. The best names compound over time and should not require explanation.
How to think of a good company name
Ensure the name is easy to spell and pronounce, relevant to your business without being generic, and available as a domain and social handles. Avoid trends and inside jokes that will feel dated quickly.
How to think of a good name for a business
Focus on clarity over cleverness, test with 20 people from your target market, and ensure domains and trademarks are clear. Document why you chose the name so you can explain it authentically.
How to think of business ideas
Talk to people about their biggest frustrations in their jobs or hobbies, look for problems that repeat across many conversations, and identify where you have unique insight or access. Ideas that matter usually come from real problems, not brainstorming exercises.
How to track brand mentions across different ai platforms?
Monitor brand names in AI tool outputs using platforms like Brand24 or Awario, track GPT mentions manually using tools like OpenAI's API, and set up Google Alerts for your brand name. Create a simple spreadsheet to track mentions over time.
How to track brand presence in generative ai
Search for your brand and products on ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, document what they say about you, and monitor changes quarterly. Train language models you control with accurate brand information to improve AI mentions over time.
How to track google rankings for free
Use Google Search Console to see which queries bring impressions, use free tools like Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner to check current rankings, and manually check top 20 results for your key terms. Track rankings manually in a spreadsheet weekly.
How to track keywords for youtube channel
Use YouTube Studio analytics to see which search terms drive views, use tools like VidIQ or TubeBuddy to analyze keyword performance, and track which content generates most comments and shares. Double down on topics that drive subscribers.
How to track keywords on moz
In Moz Keyword Tracker, add your target keywords, set your location and devices, and review monthly rankings and traffic. Moz will alert you to ranking changes so you know when to adjust your content strategy.
How to track my rankings on chatgpt over time?
Manually test your key terms and topics on ChatGPT weekly, take screenshots of top results, and track whether your brand or content appears. Create a simple log so you can spot trends and adjust your content strategy.
How to track visibility across ai platforms
Build a spreadsheet that lists your key terms, brands, and topics, then test visibility in ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude monthly. Track which platforms mention your brand or competitors and how that changes.
How to trademark a business idea
You cannot trademark an idea, only the name and brand expression. Trademark your business name and logo after you have used them consistently and your business is making revenue. Hire a trademark attorney to file in the relevant countries.
How to trademark an app idea
You cannot trademark an idea itself, but you can trademark your app name and logo. Use them consistently in the market, then file for trademark registration in jurisdictions where you operate. Consider trademarks early if you plan to scale internationally.
How to transfer to ahrefs from wincher
Export your tracked keywords from Wincher, create a new rank tracker in Ahrefs with those keywords, and set up location and device preferences. Ahrefs will begin tracking your keywords from the date of import.
How to trim video inshot
Open InShot, select your video, use the trim tools at the bottom to select the section you want to keep, and save. InShot makes it easy to cut unwanted intro or outro footage before uploading.
How to turn on moz bar
Download the MozBar Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store, click the extension icon to activate it, and you will see SEO metrics on any page you visit. Use it to check domain authority, page authority, and backlinks while researching.
How to understand moz
Moz provides SEO tools for keyword research, site audits, and rank tracking, all built around domain authority and page authority metrics. Use Moz's free and paid tools to understand what keywords you should target and how your rankings are trending.
How to understand the semrush competitive positioning map
In Semrush, go to Competitive Positioning Map under Competitive Intelligence, enter your brand and competitors, and see where you stand visually. The map shows share of voice and keyword overlap, helping you identify gaps and overlap with competitors.
How to use ahrefs besides seo
Use Ahrefs' Site Explorer to analyze competitor traffic sources, use Content Gap to find content ideas from competitors, and use Rank Tracker for any keyword ranking tracking. Ahrefs also shows backlinks, top performing content, and domain authority.
How to use ahrefs for free
Use Ahrefs' limited free tools like Webmaster Tools or their free browser extension, or take advantage of Ahrefs Academy for free training. Free tier is limited, but enough to get a sense of whether you want a paid account.
How to use ahrefs for keyword research
Enter a seed keyword in Keywords Explorer, review search volume and difficulty, explore related keywords and questions, and filter by intent. Export keyword lists and prioritize by opportunity based on volume and difficulty.
How to use ahrefs for keywords
Use Keywords Explorer to research target keywords, check search volume and competition, and analyze top ranking pages. Use Rank Tracker to monitor your keyword rankings over time.
How to use ahrefs for seo
Use Site Explorer to audit competitor backlinks and traffic sources, use Rank Tracker to monitor your keyword positions, and use Content Gap to identify keywords competitors rank for but you do not. Combine these insights to drive your SEO strategy.
How to use ahrefs free
Leverage Ahrefs' free browser extension for quick metrics, use their limited free tools, or use Ahrefs' frequently-offered free trial periods. Free access is enough to validate whether a paid subscription makes sense for your business.
How to use ahrefs keyword explorer
Enter your main keyword or domain, review related keywords sorted by volume and difficulty, explore question keywords for content ideas, and analyze the top-ranking pages. Export lists and use them to prioritize your content roadmap.
How to use ahrefs rank tracker
Add your domain and target keywords, set up your location and search engine, then check rankings daily or weekly. Review the dashboard to see if you are trending up or down and identify keywords where you are close to ranking.
How to use ahrefs to find good keywords
Analyze competitor domains in Site Explorer and export their keywords, then filter by low difficulty and decent volume. Interview your customers to validate that these keywords match their real search intent.
How to use ahrefs to find keyword
Use Keywords Explorer and search your topic, filter results by search volume and keyword difficulty, and look at top ranking pages. Click on a top page to see all keywords that page ranks for.
How to use ai avatars to represent a brand in marketing videos?
Create a consistent character using tools like Synthesia or HeyGen, train it with your brand voice and messaging, and use it across YouTube, TikTok, and ads. AI avatars cost less than human talent and enable fast scaling of video content.
How to use ai for keyword research in 2026
Use ChatGPT or Claude to brainstorm keyword clusters and question formats, validate volume and intent using traditional tools, and use AI to analyze competitor keywords faster. AI accelerates research but traditional tools still validate search volume.
How to use ai for seo
Use AI to generate SEO-optimized outlines and first drafts, analyze competitors' content strategies faster, and identify content gaps based on keyword research. Edit AI content heavily for accuracy and unique insights before publishing.
How to use ai for seo optimization
Use AI to analyze your current content against top-ranking pages and suggest improvements, generate meta descriptions and title tags, and find new keyword opportunities. Always verify that AI suggestions align with your actual market and customer language.
How to use ai in seo
Use ChatGPT or Claude to brainstorm keywords and content ideas, create content outlines, and optimize existing content. Use AI for acceleration, but human expertise for validation and strategic decisions.
How to use article spinner
Article spinners replace words with synonyms to avoid plagiarism, but search engines penalize low-quality spun content heavily. Avoid article spinners and instead rewrite content in your own words or create original content.
How to use brightedge
BrightEdge aggregates SEO data from multiple sources and surfaces insights about your content performance and keyword opportunities. Use it to prioritize content changes and track impact across rankings, traffic, and revenue.
How to use business model canvas for startups
Fill in each of the nine boxes with your current assumptions about customers, value, revenue, and operations. Use it as a working document with your team and update it weekly as you learn from customers.
How to use canva ai image generator
Describe the image you want, use Canva's AI generator to create variations, then edit and customize the result. Use it to create social media graphics, thumbnails, and marketing visuals without design skills.
How to use channel keywords
In YouTube Studio, use keywords in your channel description, video titles, and tags to help YouTube understand what your channel is about. YouTube uses channel keywords to recommend your content and improve discovery.
How to use chatgpt 4 for seo
Use GPT-4 to analyze competitor content at scale, generate content outlines aligned with search intent, and create meta descriptions and title tags. Use the API for bulk processing and integrate it into your content workflow.
How to use chatgpt for seo
Use ChatGPT to brainstorm keywords, outline content, and generate first drafts based on top-ranking pages you analyze. Always fact-check output and add original insights that ChatGPT cannot provide.
How to use chatgpt to find guest blogging websites
Describe your niche to ChatGPT and ask for guest blogging opportunities, then verify that suggestions are real and actively accepting pitches. ChatGPT is fast for ideation but requires human verification before outreach.
How to use free ahrefs account
Use the Ahrefs free browser extension, limited free keyword research tool, and webmaster tools. Check their website for seasonal free trial offers and webinars that include free account access.
How to use google adwords effectively
Test multiple ads against each other, track which keywords and ads drive conversions, not just clicks, and adjust bids based on actual business impact. Review campaign performance weekly and pause underperforming keywords ruthlessly.
How to use google keyword planner
Enter seed keywords or your website URL, review search volume and competition metrics, and explore related keywords. Use keyword lists to organize and prioritize which terms to target with paid or organic content.
How to use google keyword planner efficiently
Set your location and language correctly, focus on keywords with decent volume and intent alignment, and export keyword lists with volume data for planning. Use Keyword Planner as your starting point, then validate with other tools.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
Violetta likes to write about Startup News in Europe, Best startups of the year, Latest Startup News, Building your first startup, Startup News for Female Founders in Europe, News for Female Entrepreneurs and Engineering News
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
