On 27 November 2025, the Women Founders event celebrated its 10th edition, supported by the Ministry for Gender Equality and Diversity, in partnership with Women in Tech and with the support of Intesa. In a sector long dominated by men, Luxembourg is seeing a powerful shift: more women stepping into tech, leadership, and entrepreneurship. The evening honoured those who challenge the status quo and help reshape the ecosystem.
Moderated by Marina Andrieu, Managing Director of WIDE ANDCO, the first panel brought together Ami Nagata, Luxembourg’s Managing Director at Zodia Custody (Europe) S.A, and Emilie Allaert, Director Product – Digital Assets at Standard Chartered, for a conversation on shifting mentalities and the evolving place of women in the tech landscape.
The speakers highlighted a clear trend: more and more women are entering IT companies, and crucially, more are stepping into leadership and managerial roles. Across Luxembourg, positive change is visible and growing.
Yet the transition to entrepreneurship remains challenging. For many women, taking the leap is still “not always well seen,” and a number of men continue to struggle with the idea of being led by a woman. As one speaker noted, “It is competitive, it is not easy.”
But the panellists also agreed on a powerful counterbalance: in a sector defined by emerging jobs and constant reinvention, people increasingly share knowledge, mentor one another, and recognise the need for continuous learning. This openness is creating fertile ground for new founders to rise.
The second panel, featuring Virginia Baillie-Strong, Co-founder and COO at Partao, Loise Wandera, Co-Founder and CEO of METRICSAT, and Ala Presenti, Co-founder of Investre, dove into the essentials of building and scaling a successful startup.
The speakers highlighted the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, investing in a strong and committed team, and developing a deep understanding of your customers and your market.
They emphasized how the Luxembourg ecosystem, heavily driven by networking and collaboration, offers a powerful advantage for entrepreneurs. Connections are essential, and the local community is known for being open, supportive, and willing to share advice.
The panellists also shared their own experiences as founders, pointing out that Luxembourg provides a favourable environment for launching a business. They underlined that entrepreneurship requires hard work and comes with uncertainty, but that taking calculated risks can lead to decisive and rewarding steps forward.
Across the discussion, common themes emerged: the need to build confidence, to recognise opportunities, and to understand how to navigate the ecosystem. Trust, in your idea, in your team, and in your own ability to move forward, remains at the heart of any entrepreneurial journey.
Ten editions on, the Women Founders conference continues to expand each year, reflecting the increasing presence of women who are actively shaping the future of Luxembourg’s startup ecosystem. There are more women, more ideas, and more opportunities than ever before.
And remember: Luxembourg is a great place to start a business!
