TLDR:
- Dr. Gesa Miczaika co-founded Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund to bridge the gap between female founders and the male-dominated VC world in Europe.
- The fund has made 30 investments in early-stage companies led by exceptional women and focuses on industries such as information and communication technologies, female health, and climate.
Dr. Gesa Miczaika, as a co-founder of the Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund, aims to address the funding gap for female founders in the European venture capital scene. The fund focuses on co-investing in startups with at least one female founder to promote equal participation of women as founders and investors. With a portfolio of 30 pre-seed and seed-stage companies primarily in the DACH region, the fund prioritizes purpose-driven organizations with a societal or ecological benefit.
Furthermore, the fund actively engages in building strong women’s networks and initiatives, such as the Evangelistas network and European Women in VC to promote balanced representation in the ecosystem. Dr. Miczaika emphasizes the importance of ambition, resilience, passion, and relevant skills in founders while seeking investments. The fund’s vision includes driving change in the venture capital landscape by encouraging diversity, especially in decision-making roles.
Looking towards the future, the fund anticipates rapid technological advances, societal norm shifts, and efforts to address global challenges like climate change. The focus is on innovative startups in sectors like female health and climate, steering clear of overhyped markets. Dr. Miczaika highlights the fund’s unique approach of focusing on the mental and physical well-being of founders, offering support and creating a personal ally on the cap table.
