unlock VC (previously WVC:E)

Here's Sophie Winwood, our fab CEO, telling us why we need Summit this year (and announcing when Early Bird tickets drop!) 👀

What is a venture partner? Join us next Friday for an insight into the often misunderstood but strategic role of venture partners. We'll unpack the different forms these roles take, explore how VC funds are using them to compete for the best deals and address the practical realities: - How do you find these roles? - What does ompensation look like? - What are you expected to do? - How do you maximise impact? We'll be joined by Dama Sathianathan of Bethnal Green Ventures Isabelle O'Keeffe, a Venture Partner Mercuri and Gemma Bloemen a Venture Partner Norrsken Whether you're considering this path or looking to strengthen your firm's approach to venture partners, this session offers practical guidance from those who've navigated this path successfully. Link in the comments for free tickets! All women in VC welcome! 🙌

🥁 Drum roll please Get ready to mark your calendars for the hottest ticket in town! Next week, we’re dropping our first lot of early bird tickets to unlock summit 2025. There are only a limited amount and once they're gone, they're gone. This will be the lowest price tickets will be. So, if you know you’re coming to Paris this October, get ready to lock 'em in. Keep an eye on our socials for more info 👀 Oh and PS. To sweeten the deal just a bit, if you sign up to become an unlock+ member today, you will get a discounted ticket of EUR 150 and a fun surprise. Link in the comments. Mark your calendars for next Tuesday!

🌟 Rising Star Alert! 🌟 I am also joining unlock VC (previously WVC:E)'s campaign to celebrate the incredible women shaping the future of venture capital — and I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving than Merel Kraaijenbrink, a true force in the European VC landscape. From founder to VC, Merel’s journey is defined by the the clear belief in the power of the Southern European ecosystem. She told me about her move from Amsterdam to Portugal to double down on this vision. She became a key player in the Lisbon VC Circle and Women in VC Portugal Now she works at Dealflow.eu as COO and at Ventures.eu as Senior Investment Manager, acting as the bridge between startups, investors, corporates and institutions. Some things I would like to highlight: 🔥 She started new initiatives to connect high-potential startups with investors and corporates across Europe. 📈 Played a leading role in shaping corporate innovation strategies and ... she is about to publish her first report on cutting-edge trends in corporate venturing! 🌍 A true connector, building networks and communities that lift up founders and amplify the Southern European tech scene. Of course, met her too around Lisbon. Merel is working towards growing a more connected, collaborative VC space in Europe. And this is awesome! She’s not just building bridges 👉 she is the bridge. 🔁 Let’s keep the celebration going: tag other incredible women in your VC network and startup circles who deserve the spotlight too! Challenging a couple of people from my junior community to also to this ;) Rebecca Ravenni, Ghita Targhi, Desirée Pettersson #RisingStar #WomenInVC #UnlockVC #VentureCapital #NextGenVC #SouthernEuropeVC #InnovationEcosystem #ImpactInvesting #EIC

While the world argues about what 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 really means… Here’s an easy answer: celebrate the women in VC who are 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠. I am happy to nominate Lena Pishchuk as a Rising Star for the unlock VC (previously WVC:E) campaign. 🌟 From sharp takes on portfolio ops to genuinely caring about the founders she backs, Lena shows up with 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐭𝐡, 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲. I met Lena about a year ago. Pretty quickly, I found out: ✨ She launched the first 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘬 from scratch. ✊ She inspired dozens of people to act for 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺. 🎓 She earned a 𝘍𝘶𝘭𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 and 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘯 𝘔𝘉𝘈 at a top US university (GPA 3.5 out of 4.0 🔥). 🌍 She built herself a wonderful life in Lisbon while staying deeply connected to her roots and constantly going global. ❤️ She’s been through a lot and continues to lead with grace, grit, and generosity. And when she joined ULTRA.VC… The fund had no brand, no deal flow, no reputation. ☝🏻 Just an ambitious goal: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝-𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨-𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞. Fast-forward 1.5 years: 👉🏻 1,000+ inbound applications/year. 👉🏻 25 investments closed (with 2–3x growth across the core portfolio). 👉🏻 Startups from all over Europe. 👉🏻 761 companies screened for 10 spots in the last batch. 🧠 Lena 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧. From 0, she built: 😎 the brand (human, bold, unforgettable). 🛜 the network (100+ ecosystem partners). 🫶🏻 the community (events with 40–50% conversion — I’ve been to several, they’re 🔥) She reads the pitch and the data room. She connects founders to the right people. She asks the hard questions. And makes you feel heard. And here’s the thing: 𝐍𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐂 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝. Just raw talent, heart, and execution. Lena reminds me that the best people don’t follow the usual path. they make their own. And I feel lucky to cross paths with her on mine and having her as Simplifyer’s first investor. 🥇💸 Passing the mic to Pedro Rocha and Rafaela Sheen, who’s your VC Rising Star? #WomenInVC

🌟 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐕𝐂  🌟 It’s Easter — and while eggs are being hunted across the world, I’m joining unlock VC (previously WVC:E) ’s #RisingStarVC challenge to spotlight the brilliant women already shaping the future of venture. I couldn’t pick just one. Or five. So I didn’t. Here are some of the rising stars in VC whose sharp minds, kind hearts, and unapologetic ambition genuinely move me — and make this space better, smarter, and bolder every day: 🌟Marie Zedler (Dieter von Holtzbrinck Ventures) With a foundation in neuroscience and sensor tech from UCL and Cambridge, Marie combines deep thinking with emotional intelligence — a powerful mix. I feel lucky to have worked with her. She’s going far, and I can’t wait to watch her shine. 🌟 Selma Meryem Peters (amberra) She’s been in the industry longer than most people twice her age would guess — and she’s just getting started. From setting up amberra, to building European Women in VC, to co-leading our 2hearts angel collective. Also behind #thatvcgirl — redefining the vibe. 🌟 Marta Mrozowicz (Heal Capital) Marta’s built real depth in healthcare VC — from Calm/Storm to Heal Capital, she’s always ahead of the curve. I learn something in every conversation. Sharp strategy, grounded empathy — absolutely one to watch. 🌟 Hanna V. (Vorwerk Ventures) From LA to NYC to Berlin, with degrees from CSU, Harvard, USC & ESCP — Hanna brings global perspective and multidimensional thinking to climate, consumer, and health investing. Every chat leaves me truly seen and inspired. 🌟 Dr Sonia Amend (EWOR) A dentist turned VC, Sonia has worn many hats — AI researcher, healthcare consultant, and now investing in rebels and visionaries at EWOR. She brings clarity, calm, and a mindset where nothing feels impossible. 🌟 Philippa Allen (Calm/Storm) Philippa always knows what’s happening in healthcare and FemTech. Her unmatched organizational talent showed at Storm.Days (yes, including a Viennese ball!). Our chats are honest, energizing, and real. 🌟 Marie Sophie Hildebrand (neoteq ventures) With experience in consulting, ops, and supply chain, Marie brings a clear, grounded perspective to early-stage VC. She’s sharp, calm, and quietly bold. A fellow Maastricht University alum I’m proud of — she’ll go far. 🌟 Sherin Maruhn Sherin is one of the most driven and generous voices in our ecosystem. From investing at PwC to bringing people together with VEECEE, and now educating the next gen through her Business Punk podcast — she’s always shining with contagious positivity. I’m lucky to call her a friend. There are so many more women I would’ve loved to include — the list is long and growing, and that’s the best part. Tag your Rising Star unlock VC (previously WVC:E). Let’s keep the spotlight where it belongs 💫 #RisingStarVC #UnlockSummit2025 #WomenInVC #FutureIsFemale #DiversityInVenture

We saw Rising Star in VC and thought Jennie Graham. 🌟 What a pleasure to have such a talented, thoughtful and inquisitive member of our team, who keeps the entirety of our DD process running smoothly and is making huge strides investing in the fundamental molecule. Check out her latest reflections on our DD process and stay tuned for a juicy one coming out soon on product! Feel the Pain - https://lnkd.in/eTMNbTBw Squad Goals - https://lnkd.in/eaPRzVYg Moving Water into the Climate Tech Circle of Competence - https://lnkd.in/evbqeckf unlock VC (previously WVC:E) #womeninVC #womeninwater 🌏 💧

We’re proud to collaborate with Panathēnea — a bold new international festival that brings together the worlds of art, tech, and startups in the heart of Athens. From May 7–9, the city will host an unforgettable three-day experience where founders, investors, creatives, institutions, and the next generation of thinkers come together to exchange ideas, build connections, and shape what’s next. This isn’t just another event. It’s a collective effort — a celebration of the ecosystem and the people driving it forward. Join us this May and be part of it.

⭐ Know a Rising Star in VC? Let's Give Them the Spotlight They Deserve! As the Easter holidays are upon us and easter egg hunts are happening everywhere, we’ve decided to create our very own little hunt! You know us, we’ll find any excuse to celebrate the women in our industry! Now, more than ever, we need to hear the voices of more junior talent to shape the direction our industry is going in. We need new energy, new ideas, and fresh perspectives to keep pushing VC in the right direction. We want to be a platform for Rising Star voices — early career to below partner — and we need your help to find them. Here’s what we need you to do: 1️⃣ Shout about a Rising Star woman in VC in your next LinkedIn post. We want to hear why you think they're great — maybe it's a deal they’ve done, opinions they hold or interactions you've had with them. 2️⃣ Tag them and tag us by the end of day Friday. 3️⃣ Extra bonus points if you tag someone else you think should take part in the challenge. We will go through all entries and select a Rising Star to join us on stage at unlock summit 2025 in Paris, expenses covered. As an added incentive, we will randomly select a couple of people who post to win 2-4-1 tickets to unlock summit 2025. Happy posting and happy Easter!

Some weekend reading for you! Inspired by the Lean In movement, Nuala Murphy BSc (Hons) DipM has established an influential women’s network, launched a perinatal app for women and an AI enabled EDI tool for business. She's currently studying for a PhD in Management focusing on Gender Equality Policy Implementation and is a committee member of the IoD Northern Ireland. "We came up against the venture capital bias which thwarts so many female entrepreneurs and I learned that success in business can be about timing as well as ideas."