About the project
In the European Union (EU), women account for about 73% of the total number of “missing” entrepreneurs (OECD & European Commission (2023) - Report on Missing Entrepreneurs). There could be an additional 5.5 million women starting and managing new businesses in the European Union, if everyone had an equal opportunity to transform their ideas into a business and if women participated in early-stage entrepreneurship at the same rate as 30-49 year old men, underlines the report. Women consistently outnumber men in university degrees, but they are underrepresented in ESTEAM (ESTEAM stands for entrepreneurship, science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.)
Because of this gap, the European Commission is committed to supporting women and girls to pursue their interests, motivations and choices more easily, and achieve their full potential. This policy is underlined in the EU SME Strategy for a Sustainable and Digital Europe, the SME Relief Package, the New Skills Agenda, the Digital Education Action Plan, and the Gender Equality Strategy 2020‑2025.
This project (EISMEA/2023/OP/0017 -Support to Women Entrepreneurs) aims to address two main challenges, namely the lack of data on women entrepreneurs and the low number of role models that can inspire girls and women to study and pursue careers in the ESTEAM areas.
As such, it serves a dual purpose: to take stock of the current state of women’s entrepreneurship in Europe and to showcase the remarkable work of girls and women who are active in entrepreneurship, science and technology and can inspire girls and women to follow suit.
The state of women’s entrepreneurship in Europe
The first objective is to gather and systematically analyse the latest data on women entrepreneurs in Europe, including:
- The number of women entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurship rate in various countries
- Types of entrepreneurship and sectors of activity
- Key barriers faced by women in starting and growing their businesses
- Existing policy measures and initiatives designed to support women entrepreneurs
This exhaustive data collection will serve as a foundation for developing evidence-based policies and actionable strategies that foster an enabling environment for women in entrepreneurship.
Showcasing role models in ESTEAM
The second objective is to initiate a compelling media campaign that highlights female role models who can motivate and inspire women and girls to pursue careers in entrepreneurship, science, and technology. Girls and women from different ages, backgrounds, geographic regions and business sectors will share their entrepreneurial journeys and the lessons they have learned along the way. These stories will serve as sources of inspiration for becoming more entrepreneurial.
Data on Women Entrepreneurs
The preliminary findings of the upcoming report “Women Entrepreneurs in Europe - Data, barriers, and recommendations for support” and the first set of recommendations are now available for you to explore:
Access the report
Access the recommendations
These insights will help guide the discussion at the Supporting Women Entrepreneurs Conference on 5 March, where experts and partners will reflect on the results together. The final report will be published after the event.
Role models
We are thrilled to present the five remarkable entrepreneurs who will serve as role models in the first year of our campaign. Coming from diverse backgrounds, geographic regions, and business sectors, they showcase different paths to unlocking one’s entrepreneurial spirit. From starting one’s own business as a teenager to making it in a male-dominated field, their journeys bring valuable lessons, insights and inspiration. Discover their inspiring stories under the link below:
Supporting Women Entrepreneurs Conference
Data and the stories it tells: Inspiration and the way forward
On 5 March 2026, the Supporting Women Entrepreneurs Conference brought together around 70 policymakers, experts and entrepreneurs to discuss the realities faced by women who start and grow businesses in Europe. The participants could discover key findings of our report, hear inspiring role models in ESTEAM, and explore challenges, opportunities, and actionable recommendations.
Webinars
Third webinar
In February we were joined by Thelma Annweiler and Pauline Bellec — two bold founders who are reshaping what it means to innovate in male-dominated ESTEAM fields (Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).
Thelma is the co-founder and CEO of Arctech Robotics, a Norwegian startup using robotics and machine learning to improve waste sorting and drive the circular economy. Pauline is the co-founder and CEO of coat-ing, a France-based company developing cutting-edge coating solutions for energy renovation in construction. Both launched their ventures while still at university, showing how vision, determination, and a strong sense of purpose can turn early ideas into real-world impact.
Discover how they navigated challenges, built credibility in technical industries, and stayed true to their mission. Whether you are just beginning to explore your path or already dreaming big, their stories offer practical insights and powerful encouragement for anyone looking to make it in ESTEAM.
You can watch the recording here: Making it in ESTEAM: the journey of women entrepreneurs webinar; 11 February 2026
Second webinar
In the September edition of the Supporting Women Entrepreneurs webinar series, we were joined by Oliwia Myczkowska and Hulya Gunay, who offered two unique perspectives on embracing the entrepreneurial mindset and building something meaningful.
Oliwia is a young social activist and co-founder of Bee Healthy Honey, a venture she launched with her grandfather to help protect bee populations. Hulya is an experienced financial coach and mentor, passionate about empowering women through financial literacy and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
Discover what inspired them to take bold steps toward entrepreneurship, how they overcame challenges, and what they have learned along the way. Whether you are just starting out or looking to grow, their stories offer valuable insights and encouragement for every stage of the journey.
You can watch the recording here: Becoming Entrepreneurial: From ideas to action, Supporting Women Entrepreneurs webinar, 24 Sept 2025
First webinar
For our first webinar, we were joined by Johanna Baare and Mariia Alipatova, to hear two different perspectives on unlocking your entrepreneurial potential to build a successful business in Europe. Johanna is the co-founder of the Hamburg-based bioeconomy company Traceless which develops biodegradable alternatives to plastic. Mariia is a Ukrainian deep-tech entrepreneur and founder of Tova Industries, a climate-tech company developing innovative energy solutions. Discover what led them to ESTEAM and what they learned on their journey to success.
Did you miss the first webinar? You can watch the recording below: Making it in ESTEAM: the journey of women entrepreneurs webinar; 2 July 2025