Study Reveals Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs in the Technology Sector

A survey conducted among students and lecturers from Higher Education Institutions in five European countries has concluded that significant barriers still exist for women in accessing technological entrepreneurship. This study was conducted by the Erasmus+ HerTechVenture project, which INOVA+ integrates.

Co-funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ program, the HerTechVenture project aims to increase the number of female students creating companies in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). To achieve this, the project consortium includes higher education institutions, associations, and other entities from the education and entrepreneurship ecosystems of Portugal, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Poland..

INOVA+ and the Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (IPG) participated in the study, which applied Self-Determination Theory to explore intrinsic motivation and its effect on attitude and behaviour. Surveys were conducted with 768 students and 172 university faculty members.

Gender Bias Dissuades Women from Pursuing Careers in Technology

The collected data highlighted significant barriers such as gender bias, stereotypes, and difficulties in balancing work and family, which demotivate women from pursuing careers in technology and entrepreneurship. Additionally, autonomy and recognition were identified as key motivators for women’s interest in these fields.

In addition to the surveys, 14 women with established careers as entrepreneurs and professionals in the STEM field were interviewed. The interviews emphasised the importance of intrinsic motivation to overcome difficulties and achieve professional satisfaction. Conditions such as self-awareness, self-confidence, and a supportive peer network were considered essential by the interviewees.

HerTechVenture project promotes Gender Equality in Entrepreneurship

Based on the study’s findings, the HerTechVenture project is developing a new educational model to promote the skills necessary for female students to become future entrepreneurs.

The consortium also warns that, to foster gender equality in entrepreneurship in the STEM fields, it is crucial to increase political attention on this issue, especially in developing countries.

The HerTechVenture project is led by the Polish Perspectives Foundation. In addition to the Portuguese partners INOVA+ and IPG, the consortium includes the Greek association Stimuli for Social Change, the University of Macedonia (Greece), the University of Salamanca (Spain), and the Polytechnic of Torino (Italy).

Did you know that INOVA+ has a team dedicated to cooperation for the development of training and education skills? This team works on European projects, in the context of school education, adult education, higher education and professional training. Find out more here!