Female Startup Leaders

Startup Founder Communityfemalestartupleaders.com

Female Startup Leaders is a Spain-based non-profit association and curated membership network for women founders of innovative Spanish-speaking startups, delivering visibility through a directory, podcast, and multi-city event series funded by membership fees and event sponsorships.

Company typePrivate
Founded2021
HeadquartersMadrid, Spain
Headcount1–10
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What Female Startup Leaders does

Female Startup Leaders (FSL) is a Spain-based non-profit association founded in 2019 that serves as the first comprehensive map and peer network for women founders of innovative, technology-based startups across Spanish-speaking markets. The organization operates a curated, board-reviewed membership model spanning tiers from €150/year (Startup Founder, Ambassador) to €400/year (Corporate), and delivers its value proposition through four product lines: a searchable online directory (Buscador FSL) functioning as the first Hispanic female-founder map; the multi-season Fundadoras Podcast featuring interviews with leading Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs; the recurring Female Founders Day event series held across Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Ciudad Real, and Trujillo; and ancillary initiatives including FSL Talks, the Female STEM Leaders outreach event, and the FSL Manifesto advocating for female representation at tech conferences.

The underlying technology stack is intentionally light: a WordPress-based website, a Google Forms application process for prospective members, a private Telegram channel for intra-community networking, and standard podcast distribution on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iVoox. There is no proprietary platform, AI/ML capability, or software product — the association's defensibility rests on its curated network, brand recognition, and institutional partnerships rather than technology. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with member referrals and visibility at marquee Spanish ecosystem events (Mobile World Congress Spain Pavilion, South Summit, Startup Olé) driving acquisition.

Revenue mechanics combine low-friction recurring membership subscriptions with event-specific corporate sponsorships from entities including Cabify, Renfe, EOI, Talent Garden, Sngular, and various chambers of commerce and government development agencies. The organization is independently governed by a Board of Directors with no disclosed institutional investment, parent company, or funding rounds. Geographic reach is primarily Spain-focused but extends to Andorra, Switzerland, the United States, Australia, and Monaco through directory-listed members, reflecting the "habla hispana" positioning rather than active operational expansion.

Female Startup Leaders firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Female Startup Leaders
Legal name: Female Startup Leaders
Website: https://femalestartupleaders.com
Company type: Private
Founded year: 2021
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 1–10 employees
Short description: Female Startup Leaders is a Spain-based non-profit association and curated membership network for women founders of innovative Spanish-speaking startups, delivering visibility through a directory, podcast, and multi-city event series funded by membership fees and event sponsorships.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Female Startup Leaders industry classification

Industry

Product category: Startup Founder Community
NAICS: Professional Organizations (813920), Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)
SIC: Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
akta.pro industry: PRIMARYTHAHACAA
Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies)
Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs) & Meeting Planners
SECONDARYTHAHACAK
Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services
Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs) & Meeting Planners

Keywords

Female founder community
Startup networking events
Membership association
Founder directory platform
Entrepreneurship support network

Where Female Startup Leaders is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Madrid
HQ country: Spain
HQ region: Europe

Markets served

Female Startup Leaders business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership subscriptions provide revenue from female founders, scale-up founders, patron members, corporate partners, and ambassadors. Members receive priority access to events, discounts, and networking opportunities with startups, institutions, business angels, and sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Subscription	Annual	Startup Founder membership at €150/year
Subscription	Annual	ScaleUp and SME Founder membership at €300/year
Subscription	Annual	Patron membership at €300/year
Subscription	Annual	Corporate membership at €400/year
Subscription	Annual	FSL Ambassador membership from €150/year

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Female Startup Leaders product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Female Startup Leaders is a non-profit membership association that connects female founders of innovative technology-based startups in Spanish-speaking markets through a searchable founder directory, a podcast featuring entrepreneur interviews, recurring in-person events across Spanish cities, and a private member community for networking and visibility. Members pay tiered annual subscriptions (€150–€400/year) and gain priority access to events, discounts, and a curated network of founders, SMEs, corporates, and ambassadors.

Product overview

Female Startup Leaders (FSL) is a non-profit association and community platform for female founders of innovative Spanish-speaking startups. The organization operates a multi-product ecosystem comprising: a searchable founder directory (Buscador FSL) serving as the first comprehensive map of Hispanic innovative founders; a podcast series (Fundadoras Podcast) spanning four seasons with interviews featuring prominent female founders; and recurring in-person events (Female Founders Day) held across Spanish cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, and Ciudad Real. The portfolio also includes exclusive FSL Talks for community members, a manifesto initiative for female representation advocacy, and the Female STEM Leaders event for science outreach. Access to the full community is facilitated through a private Telegram channel and tiered annual membership programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

Buscador FSL: Directory/map of innovative Spanish-speaking female founders
Fundadoras Podcast
Female STEM Leaders
FSL Talks
Female Founders Day

Companies that use Female Startup Leaders

Customer profile

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Female Startup Leaders technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Female Startup Leaders partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

Madrid EmprendecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Madrid city entrepreneurship program partnered with FSL for Female Founders Day Madrid 2024.
RenfeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2024Spanish national railway company sponsored Female Founders Day Madrid 2024.
EOI (Escuela de Organización Industrial)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Industrial Management School partnered as sponsor for Female Founders Day Madrid 2024.
Talent Garden MadridcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Coworking and innovation network partnered for Female Founders Day Madrid 2024.
Vibras EventosminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2024Event production company collaborated as sponsor for Female Founders Day Madrid 2024.
SngularminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2024Tech consultancy sponsored Female Founders Day Madrid 2024.
CabifyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2024Mobility company sponsored Female Founders Day Madrid 2024 (also partnered in 2023 for Women Tech Dating).
WildcomminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2024Communication agency founded by Esther Molina (FSL founding member) sponsored Female Founders Day Madrid 2024.
Ayúdame3DminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 20243D printing social enterprise sponsored Female Founders Day Madrid 2024.
MINTUR (Madrid International Tourism)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2024Madrid international tourism initiative partnered as sponsor for Female Founders Day Madrid 2024.
BDZ EventminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Selected FSL as Ecosystem Partner for BDZ 2023 event in Zaragoza (November 28-29, 2023).
Cámara de Comercio de Ciudad RealcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Host venue and main supporter for Female Founders Day Ciudad Real 2024, the first edition in the region.
GiantsXminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024eSports/gaming company hosted Female Founders Day Málaga 2024 at their venue, with CEO Cristina Carrascosa giving keynote.
Instituto de Finanzas de Castilla-La ManchaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Regional finance institute participated in Female Founders Day Ciudad Real, presenting investment support lines.
IPEX Castilla-La ManchaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Regional export/import agency participated in Ciudad Real event, presenting financing instruments for entrepreneurs.
CabifyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Cabify selected FSL as a partner in Europe for Women Tech Dating 2023, an international tech diversity event.
Startup OlécoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023FSL led a Female Entrepreneurship Panel at Startup Olé 2023 (September 4-6), one of Spain's major startup events.
Barcelona ActivacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Barcelona's local development agency was the main supporter of Female Founders Day Barcelona 2023, providing venue and organizational support.
Google for Startups Campus MadridcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023GSU Campus Madrid hosted the final episode recording of Season 2 of the Fundadoras Podcast. They collaborated on events and provide ongoing support for FSL activities including the Female Founders Day event series.
Red.escoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Government digital transformation entity collaborated with FSL to lead the female entrepreneurship block in the Spain Pavilion at Mobile World Congress Barcelona, along with ICEX and ENISA.
ICEXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Spanish Trade and Investment Agency partnered with FSL for the female entrepreneurship block at Mobile World Congress Barcelona, supporting international visibility for female founders.
ENISAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023National entrepreneurship institute collaborated with FSL for the Spain Pavilion at Mobile World Congress Barcelona, providing support for female-founded startups.
Cáceres ImpulsacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Program led by Provincial Council of Cáceres, Chamber of Commerce of Cáceres, and Rural Extremaduran Network. Main partner for Female Founders Day Trujillo 2022.
Cámara de Comercio de CácerescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Co-leader of Cáceres Impulsa program, partnered with FSL for Female Founders Day Trujillo 2022.
Red Extremeña Rural (REDEX)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Rural Extremaduran Network collaborated on Female Founders Day Trujillo 2022 event.
Token CityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2022Blockchain/Web3 company collaborated on Female Founders Day Trujillo as marketing partner.
Ayuntamiento de TrujillominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Trujillo city council hosted and supported the Female Founders Day event.
ASEMTRUminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Association of Entrepreneurs and Traders of Trujillo collaborated on the event.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Female Startup Leaders competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Broad incumbents

Endeavor: Global nonprofit supporting high-impact entrepreneurs through mentorship, networks, and events, with strong presence in Spain and LATAM. Comparable mission and high-profile event-driven model, with broader scope than female founders only.
All Raise: US-based nonprofit focused on increasing the representation of women founders and funders in tech. Comparable to FSL as a peer membership/community organization for female founders, but operates at significantly larger scale and broader US/European scope.
Startup Grind: Global startup community with chapters in 600+ cities running events, content, and resources for entrepreneurs. Comparable event-driven community model and corporate sponsor structure, but not gender-focused and operates at global scale.
Founders Network: Membership-based community and peer network for tech founders with vetted admission, mentorship, and events. Comparable membership application/governance structure, but not gender-focused.
Women Who Tech: Global nonprofit community supporting women in tech through events, grant programs, and a virtual community. Comparable mission and member-driven event model, but with broader inclusion criteria (not founder-only) and longer operating history.

Direct peers

Women in Tech (Global): International nonprofit with 100+ chapters running events, awards, and a job board to promote women in technology. Comparable community + events model targeting women in tech, with national chapters similar to FSL's multi-city Female Founders Day footprint.
Female Founders Fund (FFF): US-based venture fund investing exclusively in female-founded companies, with a strong brand and ecosystem-building role. Comparable brand positioning around female founders, though operates as a fund rather than a membership association.
WEConnect International: Global nonprofit connecting women-owned businesses to corporate and government buyers, with a certification and directory model similar to FSL's founder directory approach. Both operate as membership-driven visibility platforms for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Springboard Enterprises: Nonprofit accelerator and network for women entrepreneurs seeking capital, with a curated community and investor showcase model. Comparable mission of advancing female founders through networking, content, and investor access.
Astia: Global nonprofit dedicated to women-led high-growth startups, providing investor introductions, advisory, and a curated founder network. Highly comparable to FSL as a nonprofit membership organization connecting female founders to capital and visibility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Female Startup Leaders financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Female Startup Leaders leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Female Startup Leaders funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Female Startup Leaders M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Female Startup Leaders

What does Female Startup Leaders do?

Is Female Startup Leaders a public or private company?

Female Startup Leaders is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was Female Startup Leaders founded?

Female Startup Leaders was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.

Where is Female Startup Leaders based?

Female Startup Leaders is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, in the Europe region.

How does Female Startup Leaders make money?

One revenue line is on record: membership Subscriptions.

Who are Female Startup Leaders's main competitors?

Broad incumbents on record are Endeavor, All Raise, Startup Grind, Founders Network and Women Who Tech. Direct peers are Women in Tech (Global), Female Founders Fund (FFF), WEConnect International, Springboard Enterprises and Astia.

Does Female Startup Leaders have an API?

No public API is recorded for Female Startup Leaders.

What industry is Female Startup Leaders in?

Female Startup Leaders's product category is Startup Founder Community. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHACAA, Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies), with a secondary code of THAHACAK, Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services. Its NAICS code is 813920 and its SIC code is 8600.