Based on the recent findings of the Global Women Entrepreneurs Leaders Scorecard, over 70 percent of the 31 countries studied exhibit a growth gap between male and female entrepreneurs. To raise awareness of these findings and encourage entrepreneurship among women, Dell held its sixth-annual Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network (DWEN) Summit.
By analyzing gender-based factors that delay the launch, job creation and industry disruption of female-owned businesses; the DWEN Summit encourages policy makers to identify gender gaps and implement the best practices to better the conditions in their countries.
“The success of entrepreneurs and small businesses is critical for a thriving global economy, and at Dell we believe women entrepreneurs must play a much more prominent role in business and leadership in the future,” said Karen Quintos, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Dell. “Our Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network aims to ensure women entrepreneurs have access to technology, capital and networks to grow their businesses. The Scorecard provides the data-driven insights we need to move the broader conversation from awareness to action and allow female entrepreneurs around the world to reach their full potential.”
Even prominent countries like the United States, who is no.1 on the scorecard, bear room for improvement. Despite the U.S. gaining a higher score due to its positive business environment and women’s job mobility, the country is missing out on gaining an estimated 15 million jobs in 2 years if American women were to start growth-oriented businesses at an equal rate as men.
“To address the specific challenges for high-impact women entrepreneurs in different countries and regions, it takes a holistic approach,” says Dr. Ruta Aidis, Project Director of the Global Women Entrepreneur Leaders Scorecard. “That’s why research like the Scorecard is critical to understanding what actions are needed to drive change.”
Dell created the DWEN Summit as part of its initiative to support women entrepreneurs. Using research data from 2013 – 2015, the 2015 scorecard analyzes 31 countries based on five key factors of female entrepreneurship: relative business environments, access to resources, leadership and rights, pipeline for female entrepreneurship and potential for high-growth women-owned businesses.
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