Championing Women’s Innovation

The Power of Women-Led Start-ups and Mentorship

International Women's Day is a moment to celebrate the resilience, ingenuity, and leadership of women across industries. This year, we are highlighting the critical role of women entrepreneurs and mentors in our Global Start-up Service (GSS), while also addressing the broader gender dynamics within Sustainable Chemistry.

Women drive transformation in the chemical sector by bringing diverse perspectives, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable practices, while their leadership is crucial for integrating gender considerations into chemicals management for safer and more equitable solutions.

Taking gender aspects into account in chemicals management is essential for achieving true equality among all people. Gender disparities persist in various aspects of chemistry, from occupational safety to career progression and consumer choices. Women’s and men’s bodies react differently to certain chemicals, with exposure risks varying due to biological and social factors.

Societal norms shape gender roles, influencing how men and women interact with their environment, access resources, and make decisions. As a result, women often face greater exposure to harmful chemicals in household and occupational settings while having limited access to protective measures, leading to disparities in health risks and environmental impacts.

Different social roles mean that exposure to chemicals differs between genders. Women tend to experience prolonged exposure to indoor pollutants and everyday consumer products such as cleaning supplies and cosmetics, whereas men often face higher risks in occupational settings involving hazardous substances. In many countries, women, children and particularly girls are among the most vulnerable groups. Equally to grown-up women, girls are particularly vulnerable due to a combination of biological, social, and economic factors. Biologically, their developing bodies can be more sensitive to toxic exposures, leading to long-term health consequences. Socially, traditional gender roles are often assigned to girls which includes executing household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and collecting water. This, in turn, increases their exposure to hazardous chemicals. Economically, in many regions, girls have limited access to education and health resources, reducing their ability to advocate for safer environments and protect themselves from harmful exposures.

Driving Change: Women at the Forefront of Innovation

Despite these challenges, women and women-led start-ups are making waves in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, proving that diverse leadership fosters creativity, problem-solving, and sustainable solutions. With an increasing number of women-led companies joining our GSS, we are witnessing a transformation in the industry. Our mission is to ensure these leaders have the resources, networks, and support needed to amplify their impact globally.

As Nourhan Algharabli, founder of AR-ENA (Jordan), notes:

"The future of Sustainable Chemistry depends on fearless innovation, and we cannot afford to leave half of the world’s talent on the sidelines. Women must lead, not just participate, in shaping the solutions that will define our planet’s future. Founding a company in this space isn’t just about business, it’s about rewriting the rules, challenging outdated systems, and proving that sustainability and profitability are not mutually exclusive. If we want real change, we need more women to step up, take risks, and build the future they want to see. The challenges are great, but so are the opportunities to lead, to inspire, and to build a more sustainable world."

Similarly, Dr. Gözde Bayer, founder of DNACotton (Türkiye), underscores:

”The dedicated and precise efforts of women should be the foremost motivation for inspiring their involvement in Sustainable Chemistry, a field that is crucial for our future”

Dr. Gözde Bayer, founder and R&D manager, with the DNACotton team.

Jade Abir Bouledjouidja, founder of Renasens (Sweden), further encourages:

"Women excel in Sustainable Chemistry and beyond. Never doubt yourself; your skills, insights, and contributions are essential to driving change and making the world a better place."

Dr. Jade A. Bouledjouidja(Founder & CEO of Renasens)

Karin Fleck, founder of Vienna Textile Lab (Austria), highlights also the importance of collaboration among women-led companies as well as the need for more women on the investor side:

"Sustainable Chemistry is where real change begins – it shapes the materials we use, the way we manufacture, and how we impact the planet. I encourage women not just to start companies in this field, but to do it together. Innovation thrives when we challenge outdated practices and ask the hard questions: Is this material the right one? Is there a better way? Beyond being founders, women should also be investors in Sustainable Chemistry – because we need both the doers and the supporters who believe in a better, more sustainable future."

Mentorship: A Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurship

Mentorship plays a crucial role in empowering women entrepreneurs. Our GSS mentorship programs provide valuable connections, expert insights, and strategic advice to help founders navigate challenges and scale their businesses. Marwa Hannouf, founder and ISC3 mentor (Canada), highlights:

"Being a female co-founder of a sustainability assessment software startup, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with bringing innovative solutions to market. Female founders in Sustainable Chemistry are not only driving groundbreaking advancements but also redefining how we measure and achieve sustainability impact. As a mentor, I support them by sharing insights from my own journey – helping them build strategic networks, and scale their innovations for real-world impact."

Michele da Silva-Wagner, founder and ISC3 mentor (Germany), emphasizes the need for continuous support:

"Women in Sustainable Chemistry are paving the way forward. My mentorship focuses on providing them with the strategies and confidence to expand their businesses sustainably."

Bridging the Gender Gap in Chemistry

Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in chemical industries—especially in leadership positions and as entrepreneurs. Gender-related research, including gender-disaggregated data, is still not widely incorporated in chemistry and chemicals management. Additionally, gender issues are rarely integrated into academic curricula in natural sciences, such as chemistry and medicine, leading to gaps in awareness that can have severe health and environmental consequences.

ISC3’s Commitment to Gender Mainstreaming

At ISC3, we are committed to integrating gender perspectives into Sustainable Chemistry through initiatives such as:

Gender and Chemicals Partnership (G&CP)- An international, multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral partnership founded in 2023, committed to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in chemicals management
The “Gender and Sustainable Chemistry” Initiative – Conducting interviews and discussions on barriers and challenges women face in the field.
GenChemRoadMap Project – Supporting gender-focused research in the building sector.
International Chemicals Management Advocacy – – Supporting and raising awareness of gender dimensions in global processes, such as the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC).
Educational and Awareness Initiatives – Providing information sessions and talks for institutions like the Federal Foreign Office Germany, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, and the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

Through these initiatives, ISC3 aims to unpack the root causes of unsustainable practices and promote inclusivity in Sustainable Chemistry.

Empowering Women in Chemistry

Women remain underrepresented in chemicals management. Their concerns, capabilities, and expertise are often overlooked in project planning and implementation. ISC3 is working to change this by mobilizing funding for women-led start-ups, making their expertise more visible, and eliminating structural barriers to their success.

Our key initiatives include:

Blog Series: “Together for a Gender-Just Healthy Planet” – Exploring how women can benefit from Sustainable Chemistry and vice versa.
Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) – ISC3 advisory board members providing gender-related consultations.
Young Women Activities – Supporting young women scientists' research in the field of Sustainable Chemistry.

Get Involved: Support Women Entrepreneurs in Sustainable Chemistry

This International Women’s Day, we invite you to take action in championing women-led start-ups and mentorship. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a mentor, or an organization committed to gender diversity, your support can drive meaningful change.

Know a promising women-led start-up in Sustainable Chemistry? Encourage them to explore our Global Start-up Service and become part of a thriving community of innovators.

Interested in mentorship or connecting with industry leaders? Our programs offer valuable guidance and networks to help women fulfill their potentialand succeed.

Donna Seid, founder and ISC3 mentor (Netherlands), shares her perspective:

"I mentor women striving to build their own companies, many from cultures where gender inequality persists. These entrepreneurs are smart and resilient, overcoming barriers to gain the knowledge, skills, confidence, and courage to succeed."

"This is my ‘pay it forward’ stage of life; I share what I wish someone had told me when I was just starting my career."

Katerin Carrillo, member of the ISC3 Global Start-up Service with her start-up Natupla and also ISC3 mentor (Colombia), emphasizes the importance of mentorship for women innovators as the key for success and a more sustainable future:

"Female founders in Sustainable Chemistry are reshaping innovation with bold, sustainable solutions. As a mentor, I empower them by providing guidance, resources, and a supportive network—because their success is key to a more sustainable and inclusive future.”