LAB 2 | Networks |Sustainable Finance & Investing

Join the FE+MALE Think Tank for the second action-oriented Online Lab, part of the Beat Funding Bias Initiative (BFBI) satellite program. This lab tackles the crucial role of professional networks in ensuring equitable access to funding and opportunities for women and diverse founders.

The Focus: Reimagining Inclusive Network Models

The one-hour session will address how traditional, often gender-homogenous, networks inadvertently perpetuate funding bias. We will focus on developing and piloting solutions for new network models that foster inclusive access to capital and mentorship. The format consists of an expert talk followed by a working group session.

Who Should Attend?

Leaders of entrepreneurial networks, Incubator/Accelerator Program Managers, Investors, Mentors, and anyone working to connect founders with resources. The initiative aims to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem where women and diverse founders have equitable access to networks.

Lab Structure (1 Hour):

• Expert Talk (30 min): A presentation on the power and pitfalls of networks, and models for engineering inclusivity and reducing bias in relationship building.
• Working Group Session (30 min): Collaborative breakout sessions to share ideas, feedback, and best practices for designing and scaling effective, bias-free network models for the Swiss ecosystem.

Outcome: Your input will contribute directly to the Roadmap for Bias-Free Decision-Making to be presented at the 2026 Biennale Ceremony and Awards on March 17, 2026, at GDI.

Check Out the Rest of the Pre-Biennale Events!

To maximize your contribution to the Roadmap for Bias-Free Decision-Making, we encourage you to attend our other events:

• The Flagship Forum (In-Person): "A Path to Sustainability Forum: Together We Can Beat Gender Unconscious Bias" focusing on Sustainable Finance in Investing (November 4, 2025, University of Bern)
• Online Lab 1: Legal Frameworks (November 24, 2025).
• Online Lab 3: Education (November 28, 2025).