About US

Building the future – why we take a stand

There is a special place in Heaven
for Women that help other Women grow, rise and shine.

At WeDo5, we recognize that 50% of the world’s problems are women’s problems simply because women make up half of the world’s population. However, despite the thousands of startups being built worldwide every day to address unmet customer needs, only a mere 10% of these startups are founded by females.

Furthermore, in Central Europe, there is currently a lack of a strong female entrepreneurship culture, along with a scarcity of prominent female role models. But we firmly believe that change is within our grasp.

We are catalysts for a transformative movement, cultivating game-changing impact women who are poised to shape the future. We draw from our own firsthand experiences as entrepreneurs who have navigated the challenges and triumphs of the journey.

At WeDo5, we are committed to bridging the gap and fostering an inclusive ecosystem that supports and empowers female entrepreneurs. We understand the unique hurdles they face and the importance of providing the necessary resources, mentorship, and role models to ignite their success.

Our mission is to inspire, educate, and equip women to thrive in the entrepreneurial landscape. We provide a nurturing environment where ideas flourish, connections form, and dreams become reality. By fostering a vibrant community, we aim to cultivate a strong and vibrant female entrepreneurship culture in Central Europe.

Join us on this exciting journey of building the future. Together, we can break down barriers, create opportunities, and propel the next generation of female impact entrepreneurs forward.

Our History

2018: Founded as part of CERIecon Playpark Vienna, a project by Interreg Central Europe and Wien Universität incubator. Signed a cooperation agreement with Inclusion @Work. Hosted the Find Your Female Co-Founder event and launched the OpenBox Academy.

2019: Joined Found!, a social startup incubator by Impact Hub Vienna and Deloitte Österreich. Partnered with Vienna Business Agency. Expanded Find Your Co-Founder events. Established We DO Academy. Organized and sponsored Vienna Techstars Startup Weekend Women.

And here we are..

In 2020, we embarked on a new journey, driven by our vision to be more inclusive and support as many women as possible. With this goal in mind, we underwent a transformation, transitioning from KulturenReich to WeDO5.

The “5” in our name represents the 5th Sustainable Development Goal on Gender Equality set forth by the United Nations. We are dedicated to empowering women and girls, ensuring their equal rights and opportunities. WeDO5 is an organization that specifically focuses on supporting impact-driven female entrepreneurs. 

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Our mission is clear – to inspire women to build game-changing ventures, rise to their full potential, and shine brightly in the entrepreneurial world. We continuously strive to be better, more supportive, and inclusive, creating a positive impact for women throughout their startup journeys.

At WeDO5, we believe that by nurturing and empowering female entrepreneurs, we can catalyze positive change and drive innovation. Through our programs, resources, and community, we provide a platform for women to thrive, succeed, and leave their mark on the startup ecosystem.

Join us on this exciting path as we champion gender equality, support women in their entrepreneurial endeavors, and together, create a future where women entrepreneurs are celebrated, uplifted, and empowered.

The Bumblebee Story

Wodering what’s with the bumblebee logo?

 

Even when it feels impossible,

We can Do it.

 

The Bumblebee

Our Symbol: The Bumblebee At WeDo5, the bumblebee serves as a powerful metaphor that embodies our spirit and determination. Scientifically and aerodynamically, it is believed to be impossible for a bumblebee to fly.

With its heavy body and seemingly small wings, the laws of physics suggest that flight should be unattainable.

Yet, the bumblebee defies these limitations. Unfazed by scientific facts, it takes flight with unwavering resolve. It symbolizes the indomitable spirit within us, even when faced with challenges that may seem insurmountable. The bumblebee reminds us that we can achieve great things by defying the odds and embracing our inner strength.

In the same way, at WeDo5, we encourage our community of female impact entrepreneurs to embrace this metaphor. We believe in pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and striving for greatness, even in the face of adversity. We inspire one another to break free from constraints, tap into our unique talents, and create a lasting positive impact in the world.

Like the bumblebee, we refuse to accept limitations imposed upon us. We recognize that together, we can accomplish extraordinary feats and drive meaningful change. Through collaboration, support, and the sharing of knowledge, we empower one another to reach new heights and shatter barriers.

Join us at WeDo5, and let the bumblebee symbolize your unwavering determination and belief in the power of possibility. Together, we can accomplish what others may deem impossible.

Superpowers

Creating Impact through our longtime experience

Asetila Köstinger

Asetila Köstinger

Co-Founder, Board member

Provider of energy and catchy anecdotes. With the boundless energy of a puppy, Tila is our fearless provider of inspiration and chief networker. Asetila Köstinger is an innovation economist, a community builder and an impact entrepreneur. She is the Co-founder of the GoodStartup School -a global virtual incubator that aims to help women and underrepresented communities worldwide to build tech and non tech impact startups. Asetila speaks, trains and writes regularly about the implications of inclusiveness, impact and innovation in sustainable entrepreneurship. She was awarded the European Good Practice Award in training in SME Internationalisation by the ETF European Training Foundation in 2018.

Astrid Weikmann

Co-Founder, Board member

The Digital Whizz and Customer Advocate. Astrid is passionate about customers – throughout her professional life she has always asked: “Why should a customer buy this from us?”. Utilizing a blend of empathy, personal experiences, data, methods from design thinking she brings in the customer focus in a business. Astrid is a business consultant, certified project manager, Design Sprint Master, systemic coach and brings in more than 25 years of experience in consulting, sales and marketing working for large tech corporations. She is Co-Founder of the GoodStartup School.

Denisa Murataj

Co-Founder, Board member

Solution oriented project manager, Start-Up Mentor & Trainer with focus on Business Modeling and Sustainability.
She is head of different Business Acceleration Programs and possesses sound intellectual capacity in Business Modeling, Team Alignment, Entrepreneurship Journey, Marketing and EU Project Management.

Claudia Fasching

Board member

Negotiation & intercultural competence Trainer for Lawyers | Forbes contributor | Speaker

Amarila Nirmala

Co-Founder, Board member

Founder of RREVU und Sahabat Jiwa, Co-Founderin WeDO5 Amy is our planner and a creative flair specialist. With years of experience in executing and developing marketing strategies, Amy’s expertise spans from Corporate Communications, Digital Marketing; and Sales. With several experiences in different cities such as Oxford – United Kingdom, Dubai – UAE, and of course Vienna, she brings her intercultural understanding to the organization, as well as she is our go-to person for marketing and external outreach.

Gabriela-Nicoleta Petrov

Board member

Katja Tschoepe

Member of WeDO5, Communication

Katja is a communication scientist and specialises in achieving and measuring goals. She founded a social impact startup and enjoys networking and mentoring. She is passionate about a just society and the integration of sustainability goals into all aspects of business - and life.

Svitlana Kalitsun

Member of WeDO5

Negotiation & intercultural competence Trainer for Lawyers | Forbes contributor | Speaker

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