Description
Digital innovation drives economic growth and social change, with entrepreneurs introducing technologies and business models to meet emerging needs. Yet many entrepreneurs – notably women entrepreneurs – face structural barriers (e.g. restrictive social norms, limited access to finance, networks and advanced digital skills) that hinder their ability to seize the opportunities in technology-intensive sectors. In the EU, women represent just 18% of self-employed workers in ICT, compared to 34% in other sectors, a pattern mirrored globally. This theme will showcase women’s impact as founders and digital leaders and examine how supporting women-led tech enterprises can drive innovation and meet societal needs. Discussions will identify effective support systems for women digital entrepreneurs, including financing mechanisms, business networks, incubators and accelerators and digital platforms that help women scale their ventures and compete in global markets. It will also examine how institutional conditions, attitudes and culture influence the emergence of successful women entrepreneurs and how to increase the participation of women in STEM education and how to bring them on into entrepreneurship.
