Women in the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem of Spain 2024

In this monograph, we explore the transformative role of women in the Spanish entrepreneurial ecosystem. We identify the factors driving their increasing participation, as well as the main gender gaps that women face in the field of entrepreneurship.

We analyze the profile of female entrepreneurs, their motivations and leadership styles, as well as the characteristics of their businesses, including the sectors where their impact is most significant.

Additionally, we present some of the specific support programs for women in the field of entrepreneurship. Finally, with the help of female entrepreneurs and other ecosystem agents, we ask: where is women's entrepreneurship in Spain heading, and how can we overcome the gender gaps that still persist?

Female entrepreneurship in Spain is undergoing a transformation, with an upward trend in women's participation in business creation. According to the "GEM Spain Report 2023-2024," the gender gap in entrepreneurship is decreasing, with a significant increase in the intention to start a business among women, rising from 8.8% in 2022 to 10.9% in 2023. However, in the field of innovative entrepreneurship, the "2024 Entrepreneurship Map" by South Summit indicates that the percentage of women founders of startups stands at 20%, a figure that has remained unchanged for a decade.

Women entrepreneurs in Spain show remarkable resilience and adaptability, especially in times of crisis, although self-employment is no longer the main motivation. Female entrepreneurs seek to make a difference, achieve high income, greater autonomy, and better work-life balance. On the other hand, women entrepreneurs face challenges such as limited access to seed capital and lower initial capitalization of their projects compared to those led by men. Despite these barriers, women are increasingly present in diverse and highly innovative technological sectors, as well as in rural entrepreneurship, where they demonstrate greater stability and lower dropout rates.

In the current dynamic environment, female entrepreneurship is strengthened by collaboration and cooperation among the various ecosystem agents promoting initiatives to support women entrepreneurs. This synergy, whether through strategic alliances or the exchange of ideas and resources, is a key factor in the success and growth of women-led businesses.

In this monograph, in addition to analyzing the main metrics of women's entrepreneurship, we explore the experiences and perspectives of female entrepreneurs and other ecosystem agents. To this end, we incorporate the valuable insights of six leading women in the Spanish entrepreneurial ecosystem:

• Oriana Circelli, CEO of WoWplay Experience, edtech sector.
• Patricia Astrain, CEO of Recicular, sustainability sector.
• Inês Oliveira, Head of Innovation Services at Wayra Spain.
• Esther Cid, CEO and founder of Talent Passport.
• Taryn Andersen, CEO and co-founder of Impulse4Women.
• Nera González, ambassador of Technovation Girls Madrid, finalist of the Women Startup Awards in the Dissemination category.

We also highlight initiatives and associations that showcase female talent and leadership. We include the experienced voice of Carlos Mateo, president of the Spanish Association of Startups and president of the Women Startup Awards, who provides inspiring role models for both new generations of female entrepreneurs and men.