A Bright Future for Women Entrepreneurs in the European Union

Support for Female Entrepreneurs in Europe

Supporting women entrepreneurs is incredibly important for driving innovation and economic growth. Europe offers loads of support tools and networks designed specifically for women in business.

In this article I’m going to share with you, all the links you’ll need to find the right support for your business. 

Did you know that The European Commission promotes women’s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship? And, based on feedback from women entrepreneurs, the Commission has encouraged networking, the exchange of best practices, and initiatives that help women build confidence in their abilities? Great, right?

And from this movement, there is one leading platform, I’d like to highlight, and that’s WEgate, the European online platform for women entrepreneurs. WEgate provides essential resources, connects female entrepreneurs with valuable networks, and advocates for policies that enhance female entrepreneurship. But, more about this platform and support for women entrepreneurs later.

Gender Equality is a Human Right

We know that gender equality is a fundamental human right and is essential for a safe, flourishing society. Yet, so many women worldwide still face barriers that hinder their entrepreneurial success. According to the Cherie Blair Foundation, women still encounter economic, social, and legal obstacles when setting up and running businesses. These include inequalities in education, discriminatory laws, and practices that limit access to financial systems, business networks, and markets. Additionally, gendered expectations around domestic and care work restrict their time and economic participation, undermining their confidence to lead businesses.

It’s these challenges that often result in women operating businesses in less lucrative industries, such as hospitality and retail, which were heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Supporting Women Innovators

On International Women’s Day, the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency highlighted various programmes that support women innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers. These programmes provide funding, business accelerator services, coaching, and business partnerships to women entrepreneurs, contributing to the European Commission’s objective of achieving a Union of Equality.

Women are a significant source of talent, particularly in tech. In fact, a study by the European Institute of Technology and Dealroom found that women-founded tech scale-ups grew 1.2 times faster than their competitors over the past five years. To tap into this potential, the European Innovation Council (EIC) has introduced measures to support women innovators and researchers. Initiatives include prioritizing  women CEOs for Accelerator Interviews, supporting early-stage deep-tech startups through WomenTech EU, and offering coaching and mentoring via the Women Leadership Programme. The EIC also awards an annual European Prize for Women Innovators to recognize successful women entrepreneurs.

Comprehensive Support for Women-Led Businesses

The Single Market Programme (SMP) offers several actions to support women-led businesses. The Enterprise Europe Network provides exclusive access to valuable information, market opportunities, business partner searches, advice on EU funding, and connections to top innovation services. Women entrepreneurs can also benefit from the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs exchange programme, which facilitates knowledge and idea exchange with experienced entrepreneurs for up to six months.

The ESTEAM (Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) initiative supports girls and women in developing digital and entrepreneurial skills. Since January 2022, over 2,400 girls and women from 38 countries have participated in ESTEAM’s activities. The last ESTEAM Women Fest was held in June 2024 in Prague.

Future Initiatives

Here are two upcoming SMP actions that will further support women entrepreneurs:

1. The European Network for Gender Conscious Investors: This network will bring together female and gender-conscious investors, financial institutions, and stakeholders to improve the representation of women in the investment community.
2. The Support to Women Entrepreneurs Initiative: This initiative will collect data on women’s entrepreneurship in Europe to develop evidence-based policies and actions to support women entrepreneurs.

WEgate: A One-Stop Support for Women Entrepreneurs

Launched in September 2016, WEgate is a resource for women of all ages who are keen to start, run, and grow their businesses. This platform serves as a comprehensive repository of information, offering access to training, mentoring, advice, and networking opportunities. As a demonstration of its commitment to boost female entrepreneurship, WEgate has evolved into a non-profit association supported by the European Small Business Alliance (ESBA).

10 Important WEgate Community Council Members

The WEgate Community Council includes various influential organizations committed to promoting female entrepreneurship across Europe. Here are ten notable members with their websites which can be interesting for you if you want to start or grow your own business:

1. European Women’s Lobby (EWL)
   • The largest umbrella organization of women’s associations in the EU, advocating for women’s rights and gender equality.
2. Business and Professional Women (BPW) Europe
   • A network supporting business and professional women to develop their careers and businesses.
3. Cherie Blair Foundation for Women
   • An organization that supports women entrepreneurs in low and middle-income countries through mentoring and technology.
4. Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)
   • A network aimed at promoting women’s entrepreneurship and supporting female entrepreneurs across Europe.
5. Female Founders
   • A European network for female entrepreneurial minds, providing a community, programs, and resources to foster growth.
6. European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)
   • An EU agency working to promote gender equality and combat discrimination based on sex.
7. Women’s Business Initiative International (WBII)
   • A community that supports women entrepreneurs by providing a platform for networking, learning, and growth.
8. European Network of Migrant Women (ENoMW)
   • A migrant women’s organization advocating for rights and opportunities, including in the entrepreneurial sector.
9. Global Summit of Women
   • An annual gathering of women leaders in business and government to share strategies and insights on improving economic opportunities for women.
10. EU Prize for Women Innovators
    • An initiative by the European Commission to recognize and celebrate women entrepreneurs who have brought outstanding innovations to market.

These organizations play a crucial role in creating an environment where we women entrepreneurs can thrive by providing resources, support, and advocacy.

Start Your Entrepreneurial Journey with Our Business and Mindset Consulting Agency – Exploring With Suzi

The European landscape for women entrepreneurs is thriving, with platforms like WEgate and various support networks for women entrepreneurs. However, navigating this ecosystem can be challenging without the right guidance and resources. 

The Right Foundation for the Right Business

That’s where Exploring With Suzi steps in with a comprehensive 6 week Interactive Training Course called the Right Foundation for the Right Business.

Wee understand the unique challenges women face in the business world. Under the leadership of Suzanne l’ Ami, this Boutique Business and Mindset Consulting Agency is dedicated to empowering women to start, grow, and succeed in their entrepreneurial ventures. We offer tailored services designed to meet your specific vision and help you achieve your business goals:

• Business Coaching for Independent Women: Personalized coaching sessions to help you make your way on the entrepreneurial path, overcome obstacles, and achieve sustainable growth.
• Mindset  Programs: Develop a resilient and growth-oriented mindset to overcome business challenges with confidence and creativity.
• Strategic Business Planning: Comprehensive planning services to create actionable roadmaps, ensuring your business’s long-term success and profitability.

By partnering with us, you’ll gain access to a wealth of knowledge, expert advice, and a supportive community of like-minded women entrepreneurs. Because when women support each other, amazing things happen.

Visit Exploring With Suzi today to learn more about our services and take the first step towards a brighter, more successful future. Equip your entrepreneurial journey with the right tools, strategies, and support—because your dreams deserve to flourish.

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If you’re ready to embark on an entrepreneurial career or advance your current business, consider enrolling in our interactive online training course. “The Right Foundation for the Right Business.” is a 6-week course, limited to 10 participants, and provides a clear roadmap and equips you with essential skills for success on your entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, it offers the opportunity to network and connect with like-minded women on a global scale.

Schedule and Enrollment

Next Program Dates: October 3rd to November 14th, 2024
Time: 19:00 to 21:00 hrs Amsterdam time
Duration: Each session is 2 hours long, held weekly
More info and registration here.