On April 7, 2025, AmCham Germany hosted its sixth Female Founders Award Ceremony. "The significance of female founders in times of uncertainty cannot be overstated. They bring diverse perspectives and innovative approaches to the table. Their insights are crucial in navigating the complex economic and societal challenges. It is indispensable for a robust and dynamic economy, that initiatives like the Female Founders Award highlight the importance of women in leadership roles," stated Agnes Heftberger, Corporate Vice President and Chairwoman of the Executive Board, Microsoft Germany and Award Patron of the Female Founders Award.
This year, two female founders have distinguished themselves with their business models that are making significant strides in providing eco-friendly alternatives within the biotech and energy engineering sectors.
The winners of the Female Founders Award 2025 are:
- Maria Birlem, Co-Founder & CEO, Yuri GmbH
- Julia R枚mer, Co-Founder & CEO, Coolar UG
Yuri GmbH, co-founded by Maria Birlem, is a space biotech company that leverages the unique conditions of microgravity to research and develop groundbreaking biotechnological innovations. Their modular bioreactors and incubators facilitate experiments with cell cultures, protein crystallization, and plant biology in space. "I am thrilled to have won the Female Founders Award from AmCham Germany because we are in constant contact and trade with companies and institutions in the U.S. with Yuri. The current political situation and circumstances mean above all uncertainty and unanswered questions. I am hoping for a positive exchange with the network that comes from being a member of AmCham Germany. Furthermore, the role and importance of women in leadership positions and also in start-ups is not emphasized enough and an award like this can serve as a role model for other women," said award winner Maria Birlem.
Coolar UG, co-founded by Julia R枚mer, is a mechanical engineering company from Berlin piloting electricity-free cooling systems powered by solar heat that provide autonomous cooling for both off-grid clinics and campers. Coolar is the first company to develop compact-size thermal-driven and purely water-based continuous sorption cooling systems. 鈥淭he award brings visibility both for me as a founder and for the technology and products I am working on with Coolar. I hope for new networking opportunities within the U.S. as a global trendsetter in innovation. For example, we are looking for partners with market access and investors for our off-grid medical refrigerators, mobile coolers and energy efficiency solutions," affirmed fellow award winner Julia R枚mer.
Prominent speakers during the ceremony included Agnes Heftberger, Corporate Vice President and Chairwoman of the Executive Board, Microsoft Germany, and Award Patron of the Female Founders Award, Simone Menne, President, AmCham Germany, Irene Natividad, President, GlobeWomen Research and Education Institute and Prof. Dr. Torsten Oltmanns, Regional Chair of the Berlin Brandenburg Chapter of AmCham Germany and Managing Director at Center for Sustainable Transformation at Quadriga University. Xenia Scholl, Co-Founder & COO, Aitonomi AG, and Female Founders Award Recipient 2019, moderated the panel discussion.
We wish to congratulate following founders who were shortlisted for the award:
- Judith Gr眉mmer, Founder & CEO, Familienh枚rbuch gGmbH
- Dr.-Ing. Christina Linke, Co-Founder & CEO, Clean Ocean Coatings GmbH
- Dr. Sonja Stuchtey, Co-Founder & CEO, The Landbanking Group
Furthermore, a heartfelt thank you goes to the individuals that comprised the independent jury:
- Nadine B眉tow, Head of Communications Europe, LONGi Solar and member of Digital Media Women e.V.
- Dr. Guido Brinkel, Head of Regulatory Policy & Director Corporate Affairs, Microsoft Germany
- Dipika Dipika, Senior Vice President, AlixPartners
- Maria Gross, Founder & CEO, LCT Journeys
- Prof. Dr. Torsten Oltmanns, Regional Chapter Chair Berlin Brandenburg, AmCham Germany; Managing Director at Center for Sustainable Transformation, Quadriga University
- Xenia Scholl, Co-Founder and COO, Aitonomi AG
- Andreas Schwaiger, Vice President and Managing Director, Texas Instruments Germany
Lastly, our gratitude goes to our host and co-organizer Microsoft Germany as well as to our Platinum Sponsor AlixPartners, Gold Sponsors American Express and Texas Instruments, Mobility Partner Uber, Media Partners Digital Media Women e.V. and SheWorks!, and Network Partners Berlin Partner f眉r Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH,encourgaventures e.V., Grace, herCAREER, Transatlantic Female Forum and think.speak.transform for their generous support.
You can download the press release (in English) here and the German version here.
