Real Change in Entrepreneurship Starts with the Environment, Not the Entrepreneur
Despite numerous support programs, female entrepreneurs still have less access to business networks, venture capital, and recognition. Research by Saskia Stoker shows that the problem does not lie with women themselves, but with the way the entrepreneurial system is structured. “Many policies aim to ‘empower’ women, but real change begins at the roots of the system – the relationships, rules, and expectations that determine who can grow and who cannot,” Stoker explains.
Her research demonstrates that the environment in which entrepreneurs operate - from education to investment networks - determines which forms of entrepreneurship are seen and valued. Because entrepreneurship is still often associated with the masculine ideal of the “real entrepreneur,” innovative and socially driven forms of entrepreneurship tend to receive less recognition.
Policymakers, investors, and educational institutions can help create a fairer playing field by rethinking their criteria and practices. For example, incubators could value collaboration, social impact, and sustainability alongside growth and profit. Stoker emphasizes that inclusion does not come from “fixing” women, but from improving the soil in which entrepreneurship grows - so that everyone has an equal chance to thrive.
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