"Empowering Women: Bold Moves at the Bold Woman Award"
Recognition Event: Celebrating Women's Momentum in Business and Leadership
In the Spotlight: The Bold Woman Award by Veuve Clicquot highlights women who dare to think outside the box and push boundaries with their groundbreaking achievements. A selection of influential women close to the award share their thoughts with ntv.de. The focus is on trust, ambition, femininity, and knowing one's own abilities.
Gülsah Wilke, a nominee for the Bold Woman Award, shares her perspective as a partner at DN Capital and the co-founder and CEO of 2hearts, Europe’s largest network and angel collective for migrant talents.
Q: What do you pay attention to as an investor?
A: "At DN Capital, I look for exciting entrepreneurs, the next unicorn. At 2hearts, I support young people with a migration background in the tech scene. We do this with 200 mentors, many of whom have a migration background themselves and understand the challenges. My mantra is: I want to be the person for others that I needed as a young person but never had, or at least someone with a similar background."
Stephanie von Bismarck, activist, author, digital educator, and now podcaster, talks about her new podcast.
Q: When you spoke with neuroscientist Henning Beck, he said in essence: If you’re doing well, you don’t want things to change. But then not much changes. You seem to be doing well, but you're changing a lot right now...
A: "You have to look at where you come from. If positive changes are visible and you're doing well, it doesn't mean it's always been that way. It means you've gone through challenges, doubt, and hardship, which eventually leads to growth. It's not about the success, it's about the journey that leads to it."
Diana zur Löwen, content creator, business angel, speaker, and moderator, champions women’s visibility.
Q: You're advocating for the visibility of women. You're aware that they're sometimes hated for it, but what does that do to you?
A: "Well, people make judgments based on superficial things, but I know my worth. I can handle it because it says more about those who hate than about me. I stand with my convictions."
In the jury's words:
zur Löwen: "I'm inspired by this award being named after a woman, the widow Clicquot, who had the courage to lead a company at a time when it was unusual for women to work outside the household. It's essential to give out such awards to increase women's visibility."
von Bismarck: "Making a decision for a nominee was challenging, as they're all remarkable. It's just about which project you like a little more than the others."
Wilke, nominated for the prize, reflects on its significance:
A: "If I were to win, it wouldn't be in the role of DN Capital or 2hearts - it would be as Gülsah Wilke. I combine both worlds. I'm an investor and a founder. I like these nights where women are put in the spotlight and empower each other. I also appreciate men."
Both mixed networks and safe spaces are necessary, according to the winners.
Wilke: "Networks don't have to be exclusively female, but purely female spaces are essential for specific topics. The goal should be to make contact with decision-makers and power holders, who are often men. It's about finding the right balance."
zur Löwen: "Female networks are vital, but it's important not to create a gender war. We should accept each other instead."
Balancing personal and professional lives is a challenge for many women, especially mothers.
von Bismarck: "It's difficult to raise children while maintaining a career, but it's essential to give them independence. I love wolves, as they work together, not against each other."
Wilke: "I started as a shy girl, but hard work and determination helped me achieve success. And I learned how to learn, an essential skill."
Sources:
- Tech giants
- Startups
- Women
- Career
- Award ceremonies
Enrichment Data:
The Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award, established in 1972, is an international honor celebrating female business leaders who demonstrate boldness, vision, and impact. The award's criteria focus on established leadership, achievement in business, industry representation, and the capacity to inspire and effect change in society and industry.
- Gülsah Wilke, a nominee for the Bold Woman Award, invests in exciting entrepreneurs and supports young people with a migration background in the tech scene through her venture, 2hearts.
- Stephanie von Bismarck, an activist, author, digital educator, and now podcaster, emphasizes the importance of growth and the journey towards success over the success itself.
- Diana zur Löwen, a content creator, business angel, speaker, and moderator, stands firm on her convictions, despite potential criticism for advocating for women's visibility.
- The Bold Woman Award, named after a trailblazing woman who defied societal norms, serves to increase women's visibility and inspire future generations.
- For the jury, the selection of a nominee is challenging, as they are all remarkable, but it ultimately comes down to a preference for one project over another.
- Gülsah Wilke, if she were to win the Bold Woman Award, would accept it as Gülsah Wilke, combining her roles as an investor and a founder.
- Both mixed networks and safe spaces for women are essential, with the aim to make contact with decision-makers and power holders, who are often men, while maintaining a balance.
- Balancing personal and professional lives, particularly for mothers, is a significant challenge, but it's crucial to give children independence and for them to work together, not against each other.
