The 2017 PeopleSource Tipping Point survey found that if people lost their jobs tomorrow, three times as many men would start their own business vs. only 5% of women in Irish business.
Another key finding from our survey was that older males were even more likely (25% vs. 5% Females) to start their own business in the event of job loss. But why the disparity? It has never been a better time to be a female entrepreneur. ‘I started my own business in my mid 40’s and have not looked back (yet!).’ says Rachel Tubridy, MD PeopleSource.ie
This is a great time to avail of female-only funding for new business, check out The Competitive Female Feasibility Fund and The Female Competitive Start Fund, both run by Enterprise Ireland.
There are female only programmes providing a wealth of support from Going for Growth to Female High Fliers, Exxcel STEM Programme and the LEO offices, who are promoting National Women’s Enterprise day today.
We have a list of fabulous trailblazing role models to choose from too. FoodCloud, Improper Butter, Coroflo, Derilynx all female founders. In the recruitment sector, I’m delighted to say there are also brilliant role models including Claire Cronin, Anne Heraty and Linda Davis to name but a few.
It is widely reported women are more risk averse and there is a myriad of reasons for this but despite this reluctance, the tide may slowly be turning. 2016 Enterprise Ireland supported 63 female led high profile start-ups. Six years earlier, the number was just seven. Historically, access to funding has been a problem for Irish business women, so initiatives like the Enterprise Ireland female-only start-up funds are beginning to make a difference.
The European Commission report on the EU and Irish Women (ec.europa.eu › European Commission › Ireland › Node) points out that Irish women have more rights than their mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers, but gender equality in Ireland has yet to be achieved in many areas, let not entrepreneurship be one of them!
