FoundHers: The morning that proved we weren’t the only ones longing for this

A warm room. Honest conversations. The kind of connection that makes you breathe out and think, “Finally.” This is the story of how FoundHers began, what happened when we gathered for the very first time, and why so many women said it was exactly what they’d been missing.

I’ve wanted to connect with like-minded female founders for as long as I’ve been working for myself. Not “networking” in the transactional sense, but REAL connection. The kind that gives you energy, clarity, and that quiet feeling of I’m not doing this alone.

Because the truth is: I work mostly online. I don’t naturally bump into other founders day to day. And even though I’m a big fan of networking events, I kept noticing the same thing. I was craving something more consistent. Something I could help build. A space I could return to again and again.

When I connected with Marielle, it felt like a sign. We met, and the energy was immediate. Marielle has SQUARE, a co-working space that already feels warm and alive. I bring the focus on connection and visibility. Very quickly, we both had the same thought: Let’s do this. Let’s create the room we’ve been looking for.

That’s how FoundHers started.

Not long after, Caroline joined us. She knew, from her own world of founders and solopreneurs, that this kind of community was missing. That’s how the three of us became the founding team behind FoundHers.

End of November 2025: our first event

Our first event took place at the end of November 2025, and the setup was intentionally simple, in the best way.

Breakfast. Real conversations. A speed networking session to make it easy to meet people quickly. A short session on visibility. Then co-working together at SQUARE.

What happened after that was bigger than we expected.

The energy in the room was beyond words. It was warm, open, and full of founders who were genuinely ready to meet each other. And if you live in Sweden, you know that connecting with new people can sometimes feel a little… slow. That’s why we’ve also been intentional about being international, with English as our main language, so more women can walk in and feel included from the start.

But the biggest sign for me that day wasn’t the schedule, the venue, or even the full room.

It was what people kept saying, again and again:

“Finally. This was missing here.”

That sentence landed in my body like a truth. Because it confirmed what we had felt for so long. It wasn’t just us who wanted this. There were so many women who had been building quietly, craving community, craving visibility, craving a place to belong.

What participants told us (in their own words)

After the event, we asked attendees for feedback, and their words captured the feeling perfectly.

Some described the morning as “inspiring” and “fun.” Many said the most valuable part was simply the connection:

• “Speed networking.”

• “The connections.”

• “Meet new women with the same type of mindset.”

• “The presentation was both super approachable and strong…”

• “The venue was also perfect and supported the atmosphere of this lovely morning.”

We also received practical suggestions we truly appreciate, like making it easier to hear each other during speed networking and adding simple details such as name tags. That feedback is gold, because we’re building FoundHers with the community, not just for it.

Why this matters (and why we’re only getting started)

Entrepreneurship can be lonely. Motivation fades. Doubt creeps in. But when you belong, something shifts. You feel stronger. You keep going. You remember why you started.

Every woman we met that morning carried her own idea, her own business, her own creative fire. Each one deserves to be heard. And at FoundHers, that’s exactly what we want to offer: a room where women-led businesses are supported, celebrated, and connected, for real.

If you’ve been waiting for a room like this, you’re not alone.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything by yourself, behind a screen, holding your big vision with no one around you who truly gets it, you’re not the only one. And you don’t have to keep building that way. FoundHers is here to make sure you have a place to return to, people to grow with, and the kind of community that turns “I hope I can do this” into “I’m doing this.”

I’m looking forward to many more moments like this, and to building FoundHers with you through many more events, both online and offline.

Yours,
Ulrike