Founding a company isn’t just about having a great idea — it’s about navigating uncertainty, overcoming doubt, and finding your voice in rooms where it’s not always expected. Those challenges may be amplified for women, but so is the strength that comes from facing them head-on. We asked founders from our portfolio to share the mindset shifts, biases, and lessons that shaped their journeys. Their insights remind us that leadership isn’t just about titles — it’s about how you show up, even when no one’s watching.
Strength isn’t inherited — it’s built
For many founders, the biggest personal shift didn’t come from external validation or sudden success — but from learning to see challenges as strength training. Each unexpected obstacle, whether it came from external skepticism or internal uncertainty, became a data point — a reference they could draw from the next time uncertainty hit. "Being a woman meant I got significantly greater challenges sent my way," says Eirini Schlosser, founder of Dyania Health. "But those challenges are exactly why I’m able to succeed. I would not be here, at this level, if I was not a woman.”
Rather than waiting for the perfect roadmap, these founders learned to move forward despite uncertainty, trusting that progress — even imperfect — is always better than hesitation. The real muscle they built wasn’t confidence or charisma, but the ability to make decisions without having all the answers, knowing that every misstep is a chance to learn.
This mindset is echoed by Sofia Pomakidou, co-founder of EVO Human Performance. In her world, performance optimization applies as much to mental resilience as to physical health. "Progress over perfection has become a personal mantra," she says. "Even in uncertainty, I focus on forward motion, no matter how small the steps: having conversations, challenging assumptions, leaning on my team — keeps momentum alive. Resilience is about adaptability, not just persistence."
Biases still exist — but they don’t get the final say
While the world has made progress in recognizing women-led companies, bias remains a reality, especially in how women founders are perceived in high-stakes rooms. They’ve learned to anticipate certain lines of questioning — particularly the preventative, risk-heavy questions. Emilia Molimpakis, co-founder of thymia, shares how often people assume she’s anything but the CEO: "At events, people regularly mistake me for a junior salesperson or a secretary — and they often ask me how I know ‘the founder.’ Older men especially have asked me when the CEO is arriving, not realizing I’m standing right in front of them." Even during fundraising, she faced intrusive personal questions about her plans for marriage or children — topics her male co-founder was never once asked about. "He actually had a baby while we were raising money," she notes.
But instead of seeing bias as a signal to shrink, these founders have learned to reshape the narrative — steering conversations away from limitations and toward possibility, vision, and potential. Eirini recounts how understanding the different types of questions male and female founders are asked completely transformed her fundraising strategy. "I read a study that found 67% of questions asked to male founders are promotional — focusing on growth and opportunity. For women, 66% are preventative — focusing on risk and stability," she explains.
At the same time, they’ve become keenly aware of how their own communication and negotiation styles shape outcomes. Gianna Tzika, CEO of KONVA, realized early on the importance of knowing her worth, not just her company’s, and resisting the urge to settle for less when negotiating with larger players. Walking away from deals that didn’t fit her vision earned her respect and built her confidence.
These founders have also learned that over-explaining and filling silences can dilute authority rather than strengthen it. “I was unintentionally negotiating against myself,” admits Sofia. “I learned that value speaks louder than volume. Being concise, clear, and confident is far more powerful — and sometimes, the most influential move is to pause and listen.”
Clear Minds, Clear Purpose
In a culture that glorifies hustle, many founders have learned that protecting their mental clarity isn’t a luxury — it’s a leadership skill. Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal space, even when working from home, helps maintain a sense of control in a chaotic entrepreneurial life. For Emilia, that meant restricting work to a single room during COVID — no Slack, no emails, no exceptions — training her brain to fully disconnect the moment she stepped away. For Gianna, sports like tennis and sailing sharpen the same skills she relies on as a founder — focus, perseverance, and the ability to reset. Both founders agree: mental clarity comes from intentional habits that create space to recharge and refocus.
At the same time, purpose — not just profit — emerges again and again as a driving force behind these founders’ endurance. Goals and targets matter, but without a deeper “why,” it’s easy to lose focus in the face of constant uncertainty. Leading with purpose, whether it’s unlocking human potential, advancing technology for social good, or reframing mental health care, gives meaning to the grind and inspires teams to rally behind something bigger than revenue.
A Vision for the Next Generation
Looking ahead, these founders hope the next wave won’t just inherit their strategies, but will rewrite the rules altogether. They want future founders — especially women — to feel confident stepping into leadership with their own voice and style, rather than bending themselves to fit outdated expectations. They also envision a more accessible ecosystem, with better access to capital, stronger mentorship, and a culture that celebrates risk and innovation, so founders can focus on building, not just overcoming barriers.
Sofia explains: "I want women founders to own their narratives — knowing that true influence comes from being genuine and purpose-driven," she says. Eirini adds: "If the world doesn’t change, don’t complain about it. Change your strategy, adapt, and welcome every challenge. Being a woman gives you the gift of extra challenges and that makes you stronger."
For these founders, the greatest hope isn’t for an easier road — but for the next generation to see every challenge as a building block, every bias as a signal to adapt, and every success as proof that showing up as yourself is the ultimate power move.
We’d like to thank Eirini Schlosser, Emilia Molimpakis, Gianna Tzika, and Sofia Pomakidou, who took the time to share their insights and experiences with us. Your reflections not only paint a fuller picture of what it means to be a founder today but also inspire others to embrace their own journeys with confidence.