Supporting female entrepreneurship represents one of Europe’s largest untapped economic opportunities. New analysis highlights that empowering women to start and scale businesses could unlock up to €250 billion in additional economic growth, strengthening productivity, innovation and resilience across the region.
Despite progress in recent years, women remain underrepresented among business founders and continue to face disproportionate barriers to growth — particularly when it comes to access to capital, networks and digital resources.
The Economic Case for Investing in Women
Female-led businesses consistently demonstrate strong performance, yet women receive a significantly smaller share of investment funding than men. Closing this gap is not simply a question of equality — it is a strategic economic imperative.
Research shows that increasing the number of women entrepreneurs would:
- Drive job creation and productivity
- Strengthen local economies and supply chains
- Support innovation across technology, retail and services
- Contribute meaningfully to long-term economic growth
Barriers Still Holding Women Back
Women entrepreneurs continue to face structural challenges, including:
- Limited access to growth capital and financing
- Gaps in digital skills and technology adoption
- Smaller professional networks and mentorship opportunities
- Unequal access to training, resources and market visibility
These obstacles prevent many high-potential businesses from reaching scale — limiting economic returns for founders, investors and economies alike.
What Needs to Change
The analysis highlights several priority actions to unlock the full potential of female entrepreneurship:
- Expanding access to funding and financial tools for women-led businesses
- Investing in digital skills and technology adoption
- Strengthening mentorship, training and peer networks
- Creating inclusive ecosystems that support women at every stage of business growth
When these measures are put in place, women entrepreneurs are better positioned to grow resilient, scalable businesses that deliver long-term value.
A Growth Opportunity Europe Can’t Afford to Miss
At Invest in Women’s Hub, we believe that investing in women entrepreneurs is one of the most effective ways to drive sustainable economic growth. Unlocking the potential of female founders benefits not only individual businesses, but entire economies.
With the right support, capital and infrastructure, women entrepreneurs can play a central role in shaping Europe’s future growth — turning untapped potential into measurable economic impact.
Reference: About Amazon Europe – “Unlocking €250 billion economic growth through female entrepreneurship”