About us
Two Karatekas with a materials problem
We are Marina Caflisch and Raphaela Kübler, the Project SheShield founders. Between us, we have more than 50 years of combat sport experience, and we have both competed internationally in karate.
The Project SheShield founders
Marina Caflisch
Karateka, ETH Zurich
Marina studied at ETH Zurich and competes internationally in karate. She works on the technical side of the concept: what the protector has to withstand and how it can be made.
Raphaela Kübler
Karateka, Graduate Institute Geneva
Raphaela graduated from the Graduate Institute Geneva and competes internationally in karate. She works on athletes, partners, and how the project gets funded and built.
Both of us have competed internationally in karate for many years, and we know the problem from the mat: chest guards that are too rigid, too hot or simply the wrong shape, and the bruises that follow. Before writing a business plan, we asked athletes and coaches across disciplines what they wear, what they skip and why. Their answers shaped the concept we are developing today.
Join us
We are looking for co-founders
Product design
Someone who can take measurements of real bodies and turn them into a shell that can be produced. Wearables, protective gear, or sports equipment experience is a plus.
Material research
Someone who knows impact absorbing materials, textiles, and testing, and can tell us in a week whether an idea is worth prototyping.
Joining Project SheShield
Ideally based in Switzerland so we can meet, test, and iterate in person. Combat sport background welcome, not required.