At just 14 years old, Josefin Landgård saw Percy Barnevik speak about how entrepreneurship can be used to fight poverty, an idea that stayed with her. After a long journey through Sweden’s startup scene, where she helped build companies such as Kry and later MANTLE, she eventually had the opportunity to invest in one of Hand in Hand’s projects in India. 

 

#### It became an experience that changed the way she saw just how much entrepreneurship can achieve. 

 

In Tamil Nadu, she met women who had gone from having very limited opportunities to becoming confident and driven entrepreneurs. 

 

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She saw how Hand in Hand’s model creates change that reaches entire villages. When women gain the opportunity to earn their own income, both their independence and belief in the future grow, and the effects extend far beyond their own families. 

 

One important part of the model is the self-help groups, where women share experiences, develop business ideas and support one another.  

 

For Josefin, this strongly reminded her of her own network of female entrepreneurs in Sweden: 

 

#### ***“The world is not equal when it comes to women and entrepreneurship, and that is true in Sweden too.***&#x20;

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#### ***That is why it is so important to surround yourself with a group of inspiring women where you can share experiences and give each other courage and strength.***&#x20;

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#### ***It was wonderful to see that the self-help group in the Indian village worked in the same way.***&#x20;

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#### ***As a woman and an entrepreneur, I share many of the same challenges as my Indian sisters.”*** 

 

She also explains why Hand in Hand appeals to entrepreneurs: its business-minded approach to follow-up, measurable results and the opportunity to see the impact firsthand. For many modern philanthropists, it is important to support projects that are effective, innovative and tangible. 

 

As a woman and an entrepreneur, she believes in a model that gives women the tools to build sustainable livelihoods and shape their own futures. And she has seen that change firsthand, for real.  

 

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#### Why Women’s Entrepreneurship Matters 

 

At Feminvest, we believe that entrepreneurship is also about access, independence and the ability to shape your own future. Josefin’s experience with Hand in Hand shows how these opportunities can create change far beyond one individual business. 

 

When women gain the opportunity to build businesses and earn their own income, they can create greater security for themselves, their families and their communities. Access to knowledge, capital and networks can be an important part of making that possible. 

 

We are proud to collaborate with Hand in Hand and to support their work with women entrepreneurs around the world. Josefin’s story is one example of what can happen when entrepreneurship is given the right conditions to grow.  

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*Hand in Hand Sweden empowers women to turn ideas into thriving businesses — and into economic independence, ownership, and long‑term security. Through entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and community‑driven leadership, we unlock the transformative power that emerges when women gain the tools to build something of their own. The result is growing enterprises, stronger communities, and a future where more women own their economy, their opportunities, and their path forward.*

“It was a real WOW moment to realize that I can actually do something myself” – Josefin Landgård