Under this year’s theme “ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”, IKEA Social Entrepreneurship recognises the work of the many women advancing the moment of social entrepreneurship. Join us every week this month as we celebrate some of these remarkable women and how they're contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive world.
This week, we celebrate these remarkable female founders who are breaking barriers, driving impact, and building a more sustainable and inclusive world.
Redefining the coffee industry in Mexico
Founded by Lisa Edelmann and Miranda Edelmann Toriello—a fifth-generation coffee farmer and sociologist—Postales de Café is revolutionising the Mexican coffee industry "del campo a la taza" (from the field to your cup). Based in Chiapas, Mexico, this social enterprise is dedicated to making coffee production more sustainable, ethical, and profitable for local farmers.Despite being one of the most traded commodities worldwide, the coffee industry faces price fluctuations that leave small-scale farmers struggling to make a living. Postales de Café addresses this issue by vertically integrating the coffee supply chain, ensuring farmers receive fair compensation and access to stable employment opportunities.
Working closely with Finca Hamburgo, a farm that has been producing coffee for over 135 years, the company supports more than 100 families. Beyond coffee cultivation, the enterprise invests in economic development initiatives, including conservation projects, ecotourism, and hospitality services.
Through support from the Mexico Accelerator Programme, Postales de Café is expanding its marketing efforts, growing its sales channels, and acquiring key certifications to strengthen its position in the market. Miranda shares, "Through the programme, we created the Finca Hamburgo Coffee Institute to impact even more coffee producers by sharing our cultivation experience and innovations. Our mission became even clearer: to improve coffee production and the quality of life of producers."
Bridging the gender gap in STEM
In Indonesia, women remain underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), particularly in leadership roles. Founded by Anbita Nadine Siregar, Generation Girl is addressing this gender gap by equipping young women with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to thrive in STEM careers.Since its launch in 2018, Generation Girl has empowered over 60,000 young women across all 34 provinces of Indonesia, offering more than 2,000 hours of STEM-based workshops, mentorship programmes, and hands-on learning experiences. By fostering a supportive community and providing access to female role models, Generation Girl is opening doors for young women who might otherwise be discouraged from pursuing careers in STEM.
Looking ahead, Generation Girl aims to increase female participation in STEM fields by 10% over the next five years, creating a pipeline of future leaders who will drive innovation and economic growth in Indonesia. With support from the Dela Accelerator Programme, the organisation focuses on securing sustainable funding and optimising its operations to expand its reach even further.
Creating a greener future with social impact in Romania
Plastic waste continues to be a major environmental challenge worldwide. Atelierul de Panză, a Romanian social enterprise, is tackling this issue while providing meaningful employment to women, youth and people with disabilities.Led by Doris Stroiescu and Teia Ciulacu, the enterprise produces reusable cotton bags made from recycled textile waste. It offers an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags while creating jobs that pay 75% above the national minimum wage.
However, Romania's social enterprise sector faces significant hurdles, including limited market access and a lack of business development expertise. To address these challenges, Atelierul de Panză is developing an online platform to sell sustainable products from social enterprises across the country. This initiative will increase the visibility of impact-driven businesses and equip them with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.
With the support of the Poland and Romania Accelerator Programme, Atelierul de Panză is expanding its product line, improving its ability to measure social and environmental impact, and strengthening its brand. As board executive member Doris Stroiescu explains, "This programme is a great opportunity for us to level up and further consolidate our sales platform. It will help raise awareness about purpose-driven businesses among the Romanian public and strengthen our support for other social enterprises."
Why women-led enterprises matter
Women-led businesses are more than just economic drivers; they catalyse social change. Studies have shown that female founders tend to reinvest a larger percentage of their profits into their communities, leading to increased job creation, improved education, and stronger social cohesion. Yet, women entrepreneurs often face disproportionate barriers, including limited access to funding, mentorship, and market opportunities.Supporting female-led social enterprises unlocks the potential for more inclusive and sustainable economies. IKEA Social Entrepreneurship is committed to supporting these changemakers through accelerator programmes, funding, and mentorship, supporting them to scale their business and impact. 48% of the social enterprises we support are led by women.
Celebrating women entrepreneurs every day
International Women's Day is a reminder of women's incredible contributions to society. However, our commitment to gender equality and social impact should not be confined to a single day. By supporting and investing in women-led enterprises and amplifying their voices, we aim to contribute to a world where every woman has the opportunity to thrive—today and every day.