The Women's Entrepreneurship Revolution

Within the framework of Women's Entrepreneur Day, the female entrepreneurship landscape emerges as a transformative space in the global economy, but also as a terrain full of challenges. According to data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), one in ten women starts a business compared to one in eight men, significant progress compared to previous years, but which is still far from full parity.

10% of global startups are led by women, while innovation and sustainability initiatives are gaining ground with a feminine approach

In recent years, we have witnessed a notable increase in female entrepreneurial activity. In countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, inclusion policies have tripled the rates of female participation in startups. However, in high-income settings, such as Norway or Germany, Business initiation rates among women have fallen, according to GEM 2023/24.

In Spain, a recent report Reveals that women represent 39% of all entrepreneurs, although only 10% of startups have female founders. Barriers to scaling businesses persist, especially because of the difficulty of accessing adequate funding and contact networks.

Conciliation: the great workhorse

The challenge of balancing work and personal life is a recurring theme. Data from the Association of Women Entrepreneurs (ASEME) highlight that 70% of women entrepreneurs report difficulties in reconciling the management of their businesses with family responsibilities, a gap that continues to affect the sustainability of its projects.

Innovation with Impact: The Future of Women's Entrepreneurship

Women's ability to lead sustainable and innovative initiatives is an engine of change. Women lead 39% of startups focused on technological innovation and sustainability in low and middle income countries, a fact that highlights its contribution in key areas such as environmental and social impact. Stories like the one about Aya Laraki, creator of Cuimer, who transform fish waste into sustainable leather, are testimony to the transformative potential of women's entrepreneurship. Women lead 40% of startups with a high focus on sustainability, according to the GEM.

The report also highlights that female entrepreneurs invest up to 60% more of their income in education and family health than their male counterparts. This social impact shows that female success is not only measured in numbers, but in cultural and economic changes which benefit the whole of society.

Women entrepreneurs in developing countries contribute up to 70% of their profits to community well-being, a key impact for poverty reduction

Looking forward

Support for women entrepreneurs must be strategic and continuous. From the creation of inclusive networks to funding and training programs, the solutions involve building ecosystems that understand the specific needs of women. Inclusive policies that promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education are crucial to closing the gender gap in key sectors.

This Women's Entrepreneur Day not only celebrates achievements, but it encourages governments, companies and civil society to break down barriers and build a future where women lead without limitations.