PRESS RELEASE
New Policy Paper Proposes Strategies to Boost Female Representation in Early-Stage Investment Across Europe
[Lisbon, 30 September 2024] – TheWesInvestors project, in collaboration with Investors Portugal, ONYOU, and Euroteam Progetti, has unveiled a comprehensive policy paper aimed at addressing the significant gender disparity in early-stage investing. This paper offers practical solutions to increase the representation of women as business angels, fostering a more inclusive, dynamic, and innovative investment environment throughout Europe.
The policy paper draws on a variety of data sources, including surveys conducted with female entrepreneurs in Portugal and Italy, statistical insights from EBAN, interviews with experts, capacity-building pilots, and discussions held at the project’s final conference. Together, these findings provide a deep understanding of the challenges faced by women entering the early-stage investment sector and propose actionable steps to overcome these barriers.
Key Findings:
In both Portugal and Italy, women entrepreneurs face numerous hurdles, including limited access to networks, lack of role models, and education gaps on business angel roles.
More than 80% of respondents believe that increasing female business angels would lead to a rise in female entrepreneurship, but the lack of support and resources remains a significant obstacle.
Critical skills such as risk management, networking, and communication were identified as essential for women aspiring to become business angels, with many respondents expressing interest in further skill development.
Proposed Solutions: The policy paper suggests implementing specialized training programs, increasing visibility of successful female business angels, and launching targeted mentorship initiatives. It also advocates for greater governmental support and the creation of inclusive investment ecosystems through networking platforms, awareness campaigns, and financial incentives for women investors.
“By adopting the practices outlined in this paper, we can significantly improve the representation of women in the early-stage investment ecosystem,” says Teresa Valente, International Projects Director of Investors Portugal. “This is not just about increasing numbers—it’s about fostering a more diverse and innovative environment that benefits everyone.”
The Project’s Contribution: TheWesInvestors project has made great strides in addressing gender disparity in early-stage investing by creating training modules, hosting promotional events, and offering practical guidance to aspiring female business angels. This policy paper is a key component of their efforts to create lasting, positive changes in the investment ecosystem.
For more information on the policy paper and how to get involved, please visit https://thewesinvestors.eu/
About TheWesInvestors Project: TheWesInvestors is an Erasmus+ initiative focused on promoting female participation in early-stage investment. By fostering skills development, networking opportunities, and policy changes, the project aims to create a more inclusive and dynamic investment landscape across Europe.