In the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence, women remain underrepresented. A recent study by French organization JFD (Join Forces and Dare) revealed that only 25% of Europe’s AI workforce is female. But a growing wave of women-led AI startups is beginning to change that narrative. Visionary founders like Pigment’s Eléonore Crespo and Pathway’s Zuzanna Stamirowska have already become role models. Now, more female founders are stepping forward, leading ambitious AI ventures across sectors like healthtech, legaltech, HR, and edtech.
Here are some of the women you should watch:
AI for Industry, Healthcare, and Education
Charlotte Rothert and Mona Feder – Doinstruct (Germany)
Based in Osnabrück, Rothert and Feder launched Doinstruct in 2021, an AI-powered training platform designed for frontline workers in industries like construction and manufacturing. Earlier this year, they secured a $15 million Series A led by HV Capital.
Felicia von Reden – Ovom Care (Germany)
Von Reden founded Ovom Care in Berlin to tackle fertility challenges with AI and computer vision. The startup raised $5.2 million to expand its personalized fertility treatments, with plans to open a clinic in Portugal.
Flore Cousin – The Marshmallow Project (France)
Cousin serves as COO of The Marshmallow Project, a stealth AI-for-edtech company launched by France’s former digital minister. Though still under wraps, the startup is expected to make waves in the edtech space.
Léa Peersman – Lign (France)
At the intersection of AI and HR, Peersman launched Lign, an AI agent that helps job seekers and employers find the right fit. Peersman brings experience from MIT Sloan and global tech.
Legal, Defense, and AI-Driven Materials Innovation
Paulina Grnarova – DeepJudge (Switzerland)
After a stint at Google and ETH Zurich, Grnarova cofounded DeepJudge, which provides AI tools to help lawyers retrieve case data faster. The company raised $10.7 million led by Coatue last year.
Tamar Gomez and Wiem Gharbi – Ankar AI (UK)
Former Palantir professionals, Gomez and Gharbi, cofounded Ankar AI to modernize patent creation and protection. Their AI platform helps IP teams search, file, and detect potential infringement.
Sarah Najmark and Luisa Bouneder – Osium AI (France)
Both engineers, Najmark (ex-Google X) and Bouneder launched Osium AI to design sustainable, high-performance materials using AI. Their startup joined Y Combinator’s 2023 cohort.
Rata Jacquemart – Differs (France)
With a background leading AI consulting at Dataiku, Jacquemart cofounded Differs, which helps retailers use AI to optimize pricing strategies, balancing profitability and inventory clearance.
AI for Customer Service, Healthcare, and Supply Chains
Danai Antoniou – Gradient Labs (UK)
After four years at Monzo as a machine learning engineer, Antoniou cofounded Gradient Labs, creating AI agents for customer service. The startup raised $3.6 million led by LocalGlobe.
Emma Burrows – Portia AI (UK)
Burrows, with past leadership roles at Google and Stripe, cofounded Portia AI to develop open-source LLM kits for building AI models capable of external tool interactions, known as tool calling.
Rachel Finegold – Stealth Healthcare AI (UK)
Formerly leading healthcare at Palantir, Finegold is now behind a stealth-mode healthcare AI startup she cofounded in 2024. Few details are public, but it promises to be one to watch.
Malin Schmidt – Kodiak Hub (Sweden)
Drawing on her risk management background, Schmidt founded Kodiak Hub to provide AI-powered supply chain insights. The platform helps businesses manage supplier data, performance, and risk.
While challenges remain, this emerging class of female founders is reshaping the AI landscape in Europe. Whether it’s healthcare, law, HR, manufacturing, or materials science, these leaders are proving that AI innovation is no longer a male-dominated arena.
As funding and support grow, expect to see these women—and many others—driving AI breakthroughs across the continent.
