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Arguably, the biggest hurdle facing women entrepreneurs is access to finance. In fact, only 15 percent of
companies founded in the EU since 2017 are led by women and only 12 percent of founders at EU
companies that received venture capitalist (VC) funding are female. A recent American study found that
even when pitches are identical, VCs are more likely to fund a man’s project than a woman’s. Access
to information, training, and networks also stand in the way of women hoping to establish and run
a business. As a result of biological makeup and generations of assigned gender roles, females face the
added challenge of reconciling both professional and perceived familial responsibilities.

Public and private European groups are introducing initiatives specifically designed to bring women to the
forefront of the startup movement. The EU’s Small Business Act aims to improve the approach to
entrepreneurship by simplifying regulations and removing barriers to business development.
The Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan accomplishes similar goals, with further intentions to provide
entrepreneurial education and training and reignite the culture of entrepreneurship among younger
female workers.

There are also several financial resources available throughout the Union for those women hoping to
start a new business venture. The Commission-created EU Prize for Women Innovators provides between
20,000 and 100,000 euros for both women innovators and entrepreneurs under 30 years old that inspire
other women to bring their ideas to market. Furthermore, the WES Policy Network, European Community
of Business Angels, and Rising Tide Europe provide either direct financial support or access to investors
who can help push nascent businesses forward.

Connecting female entrepreneurs to potential mentors and fellow entrepreneurs is another step that
greatly benefits participants without incurring high costs. That’s why the European Commission launched
WEgate, an online gateway for women’s entrepreneurship which offers learning materials for starting and
growing a business, access to potential funding sources and networking opportunities, details about local
support organisations and events, and other digital resources. 1

1.3 Gender equality in EU Policy

The EU Gender Equality Strategy delivers on the von der Leyen Commission’s commitment to achieving
a Union of Equality. The Strategy presents policy objectives and actions to make significant progress by
2025 towards a gender-equal Europe. The goal is a Union where women and men, girls and boys, in all
their diversity, are free to pursue their chosen path in life, have equal opportunities to thrive, and can
equally participate in and lead our European society.

1 https://southeusummit.com/europe/closing-the-gender-gap-on-entrepreneurship-in-europe/