The advent of ChatGPT has reshaped the way businesses and individuals communicate and operate. As the founder of multiple startups and a vocal advocate for entrepreneurial innovation, I’ve been keeping a close eye on this technology. Whether you’re running a one-person business or scaling a dynamic startup, this is a tool you simply can’t ignore.
So, what exactly is ChatGPT? It’s an advanced chatbot technology created by OpenAI, designed to generate humanlike text responses based on input. By late 2025, it had amassed 800 million weekly users worldwide. ChatGPT isn’t just for tech enthusiasts, businesses from retail to healthcare are integrating it into everyday operations. Let’s unravel how this works, why it matters, and how you can make it part of your entrepreneurial toolkit.
Tools and Features: What’s in it for Entrepreneurs?
ChatGPT’s features are becoming increasingly relevant for business owners. For example, new group chat functionalities allow team collaborations directly through the app. Retailers can use features such as the AI-powered shopping assistant for inventory recommendations or pricing insights. On the creative side, updates in early 2025 allowed businesses to use ChatGPT’s image-generation capabilities, an unexpected avenue for designing marketing materials like posters and advertisements.
The flexibility of tone customization in models like GPT-5.1 makes ChatGPT practical for brands looking to maintain congruency with their voice. If you’re running a digital agency or creating content, the platform also integrates seamlessly with tools like Canva, Spotify, and other popular apps. These capabilities make it one of the most effective AI-based tools for entrepreneurs today. You can explore these new features in detail via OpenAI’s 2025 advancements.
How to Get Started: A Practical Guide
Here’s a concise plan to begin using ChatGPT effectively:
- Define Your Needs: Are you looking to streamline customer service, generate new content, or analyze data? Decide where ChatGPT can best contribute to your operations.
- Choose a Plan: Start with the free tier to explore the basics or dive into the professional plan if you’re looking for advanced features. For local startups in countries like India or Indonesia, ChatGPT Go offers affordable options.
- Integrate Smartly: Use connectors to integrate ChatGPT with tools like Google Drive or Slack, turning it into a seamless part of your workflow.
- Experiment and Refine: Test its performance and tweak the AI’s settings to align with your business tone and goals.
Learning from established partnerships like Walmart's integration with ChatGPT could spark some ideas. For more details, visit the resource on how Walmart integrates with ChatGPT.
Lessons Every Female Entrepreneur Should Take from this Technology
Given my background in tech and gamepreneurship, I’ve witnessed how many women entrepreneurs hesitate to embrace AI tools, often citing a lack of technical knowledge. But the exciting thing about tools like ChatGPT is their accessibility. Unlike coding-heavy software that demands expertise, ChatGPT is conversational, lowering the entry barrier for everyone. I built my first prototype with a basic AI solution and iterated from there, so if I can do it, you can too! The lesson here? Don’t be intimidated. Start small, identify low-risk tasks, and expand gradually.
Another takeaway is the cost-efficiency. Startups often run on shoestring budgets, and using ChatGPT Go or other lower-cost plans can drastically reduce administrative or marketing expenses. For instance, instead of hiring a full-time copywriter, you can generate content ideas with ChatGPT, refine them, and focus your funds elsewhere. Women founders, especially in the early stages, should see this as an opportunity to balance creativity with resource efficiency.
Finally, learn from mistakes others have made. Over-reliance on AI without injecting your unique perspective is a common blunder. Think of ChatGPT as your assistant, not a boss, it complements your expertise but can’t replicate your vision. For a detailed review of ChatGPT’s transformative journey, you can visit TechTarget’s full ChatGPT guide.
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Embarking on AI-driven projects isn’t all smooth sailing. A significant oversight is the misconception that AI outputs are always accurate. This has led to stories of companies suffering damage because they didn’t verify content produced by the chatbot. Be mindful of this and always fact-check.
Another issue revolves around data security. It was reported that OpenAI analyzes user data to improve its services, which has spurred privacy concerns. Understanding what data is being collected and ensuring client confidentiality can prevent potential issues down the road. If you’re concerned, look into options for implementing stricter data governance policies. Here’s an overview of ChatGPT’s data usage.
Insights for European Entrepreneurs
In Europe, where GDPR compliance is critical, concerns around privacy and data use are particularly relevant. OpenAI has been rolling out new compliance features, including data residency programs tailor-made for countries in Asia and beyond. This is promising for European entrepreneurs, who may soon see localized versions to cater to strict regulations.
Moreover, ChatGPT can be utilized effectively in multilingual markets. In my own ventures, including the Fe/male Switch, I’ve seen how versatile ChatGPT can be for communicating in multiple languages. It’s handy for engaging international audiences without needing extensive translation services. The possibility of serving regional needs more efficiently positions ChatGPT as a robust ally for European businesses.
Importantly, while countries like the Netherlands or Germany thrive in tech, other parts of Europe are catching up. If you’re running a business in regions just starting to embrace digital acceleration, ChatGPT could offer you an edge over competitors slower to adapt.
Wrapping It Up: A Tool to Keep in Your Arsenal
For entrepreneurs, ChatGPT isn’t a novelty, it’s an accelerator. By learning its strengths, avoiding its pitfalls, and injecting personal expertise, you can make it an extension of your creativity and strategy. Whether you’re bootstrapping your first business or scaling a growing enterprise, it’s time to make AI work for you. From reducing costs to delivering better customer service, opportunities abound.
If you’d like to dive deeper into ChatGPT’s potential for your business, the updated features and tools it offers, check the comprehensive line-up shared by TechCrunch’s detailed analysis. Start small, stay curious, and let’s see what you’ll achieve next.
FAQ
1. What is ChatGPT, and who developed it?
ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot created by OpenAI, designed to generate humanlike text responses. It is built on advanced large language models like the GPT series to seamlessly handle various conversational and functional tasks. Explore ChatGPT on OpenAI
2. What are the latest features integrated into ChatGPT for businesses?
Features like group chats, AI-powered shopping assistants, and image-generation capabilities make ChatGPT increasingly valuable for businesses. It also offers tone customization and integration with tools like Canva, Spotify, and Slack. Check out ChatGPT’s business features
3. How many users currently use ChatGPT weekly?
By late 2025, ChatGPT reached 800 million weekly active users globally, showing rapid growth over the past few years. Learn more about ChatGPT’s growth
4. Is ChatGPT secure to use in terms of privacy?
While ChatGPT is widely used, OpenAI collects certain data, which has raised privacy concerns. European entrepreneurs need to navigate GDPR compliance for safe use. Find out more about ChatGPT’s data usage
5. Are there affordable plans for startups in developing markets?
Yes, ChatGPT Go is an affordable plan aimed at startups in regions like India and Indonesia, offering cost-effective AI tools to smaller businesses. Explore ChatGPT Go
6. How can retailers use ChatGPT effectively?
Retailers can use ChatGPT as an AI-powered shopping assistant for inventory management, pricing suggestions, and even direct customer interaction for personalized recommendations. Discover ChatGPT’s retail applications
7. What are the key challenges when using ChatGPT for businesses?
Common risks include over-reliance on AI, lack of human oversight, and the potential for inaccurate outputs. Businesses must fact-check and pair AI with human expertise.
8. How is ChatGPT helping European entrepreneurs?
ChatGPT supports multilingual markets and is versatile for international communications. Additionally, new compliance features are being developed to meet GDPR requirements. Read about ChatGPT in Europe
9. Why is ChatGPT particularly accessible to female entrepreneurs?
Its easy-to-use, conversational interface lowers technical barriers, making it ideal for first-time entrepreneurs seeking efficient and cost-effective solutions without needing technical expertise.
10. What precautions should businesses take while using ChatGPT?
Businesses need to fact-check AI outputs, address potential privacy concerns, and ensure client data confidentiality with stricter data governance policies. Learn about risks and best practices
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
