In Germany, the proportion of female founders in the startup scene remains low – at just 19 percent. Last year, this proportion even fell slightly, even though female founders have been able to secure increasing amounts of venture capital for their projects in recent years. The study, conducted by the Startup Association on behalf of the Bertelsmann Foundation and surveying more than 1,800 startup entrepreneurs and 1,000 students across Germany, shows that there are several factors contributing to this gender gap in the startup scene. From a lack of incentives in the education system to challenges in balancing family and entrepreneurship – the causes are diverse and must be addressed urgently. Verena Pausder, Chairwoman of the Startup Association, explains:
“Germany cannot afford to forego the potential of women. They are
our country's largest hidden reserve. In times of economic stagnation, we need everyone who can drive our economy forward. Startups are crucial for providing new impetus and regaining momentum. More female founders mean more innovation in Germany."
Early decisions made by social norms
The gender gap in the startup ecosystem begins in adolescence. While two-thirds of male founders in Germany conceived their plan to start a business as teenagers or during their studies, the figure for women is only 43 percent. This difference can be attributed to societal norms and role expectations that shape the risk awareness of women and men differently. For example, 60 percent of female students strive for job security, while only 32 percent of male students pursue the same goal. This different understanding of professional risks means that women rarely take the step toward founding a company right from the start of their careers.
“It becomes clear that entrepreneurship does not fail due to a lack of interest – but rather
Framework conditions that encourage self-employment later in one's career. Women
draw their motivation for founding a business more from professional experience and want to have a social impact more often,”
is Jennifer Eschweiler, founding expert of Bertelsmann Foundation, secure.
Cultural change and work-life balance
The study highlights the urgent need for a cultural shift to close the gender gap. 87 percent of female founders see unequal access to startup opportunities as a problem, while only 50 percent of men acknowledge this challenge. Interestingly, awareness of the problem rises to 64 percent among men in mixed teams. This demonstrates the importance of male-dominated networks becoming more open and diverse.
Another crucial factor is the compatibility of family and entrepreneurship. For women in particular, starting a family often coincides with starting a business, which presents additional challenges. Women still perform the majority of care work, and even though 81 percent of female founders and 60 percent of male founders see compatibility as the most important lever for increasing the proportion of female founders, access to flexible working models and family-friendly structures remains an unsolved problem.
Venture capital: Positive trend, but still major imbalance
Despite these structural barriers, the study reveals a positive trend in the financing of startups with female founders. Since 2017, the number of venture capital financings for these startups has nearly doubled, and the invested capital has even quadrupled. Nevertheless, 91 percent of all venture capital continues to flow into all-male founding teams. This imbalance points to the untapped potential that female founders represent for the startup ecosystem. Julia Scheerer, economic expert at the Bertelsmann Foundation, says:
"Paving the way for female founders is therefore a collective task. Women are held back by a lack of role models and stereotypes. Politicians, investors, and the entire startup ecosystem are called upon to create better conditions. Because one thing is clear: More female founders mean more innovation—and we need more innovation for a successful future."
