The role of women's leadership in spanish entrepreneurship

The 19th of November marks International Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, a day that recognises the essential contribution of women to Spain’s economic, social and technological development.

At Plataforma ONE, we work every day to ensure that impact grows, promoting equal opportunities through knowledge, visibility and connection among investors, institutions, companies and women entrepreneurs.

Beyond commemoration, this date invites reflection on the progress made, the challenges ahead and the tools available to continue building a more equal, fair and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

An evolving landscape

Women’s entrepreneurship in Spain has evolved significantly in recent years. According to the GEM Spain 2023-2024 report, female participation in entrepreneurship continues to grow in 2024, with a TEA rising from 6.1% to 6.8%. Furthermore, women entrepreneurs are closing the gap with men in terms of innovation capacity: 49% innovate in products compared to 51% of men, and 47% do so in business processes versus 49% male entrepreneurs.

Expectations of digitalisation are also increasing among women, although their projects remain less capitalised and less internationally oriented. Only 9% of initiatives led by women operate in medium-high technology sectors, compared to 16% among men.

These figures highlight the need to design public policies that foster women’s leadership, reduce structural barriers and promote an inclusive entrepreneurial culture from an early age.

Gaps and challenges: advancing with purpose

The monograph “Women in Spain’s entrepreneurial ecosystem 2024” identifies priority areas for advancing real equality of opportunity:

• Access to financing. The lack of initial funding and difficulties securing early-stage investment limit the consolidation of projects led by women. As Carlos Mateo, president of the Spanish Startups Association, points out, “only 18% of companies with at least one female founder manage to attract investment.” Initiatives such as the ENISA Digital Women Entrepreneurs line, microcredits for women entrepreneurs, and innovation support programmes featured in the report “Women and Innovation – 2024” aim to reverse this gap and increase female presence in technology sectors.
• Work-life balance and shared responsibility. Gender roles and family burdens continue to affect equal opportunities. For Taryn Andersen, CEO of Impulse4Women, “stereotypes and lack of shared responsibility limit women’s leadership opportunities.” In Spain, initiatives like the “Plan Corresponsables”, promoted by the Ministry of Equality, fund projects that facilitate work-life balance through childcare services and training in shared responsibility. Additionally, the Care Map produced by the Women’s Institute centralises resources and services to support women entrepreneurs in managing time and family responsibilities.
• Technology gap. The low female presence in STEAM fields limits access to innovation and international investment. As Nera González from AticcoLab notes, “keeping up to date with technological trends is fundamental to competing and innovating, but there is still progress to be made in women’s participation in these sectors.” CDTI Innovation line initiatives include instruments such as Neotec Women Entrepreneurs and Cervera Grants, which finance female-led projects in technology sectors, encouraging participation in innovation and high tech.
• Visibility, role models and networks. The lack of role models and limited access to strategic networks remain key challenges. On the One platform you will find resources such as “Key measures to boost women’s participation in the entrepreneurial ecosystem”, “Five stories of women entrepreneurs transforming the world” and the monograph “Women in Spain’s entrepreneurial ecosystem 2024”. These publications, together with interviews, success stories and infographics featuring women, help to make role models visible and strengthen the support network among women entrepreneurs.

Voices that inspire

“When people ask me why women don’t undertake as much or why there aren’t more of them in scientific-technological fields, it’s not because they’re not capable; of course they are. The problem lies at a social level. We unconsciously send our girls the message that maybe they aren’t good enough for science and technology, because as a society we hold that bias. If they stop trying, they stop developing those skills. That’s why having visible role models is essential—so society sees that women like me and many others exist, helping change the mindset and encouraging our daughters,” says María López, co-founder and CEO of Bitbrain.

Her reflection summarises a reality that still shapes access and visibility for women in the innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem. For this reason, having role models who break barriers and inspire others is key to building a more equal society.

In this line, the content of the ONE Platform has given voice to numerous women leading projects in different fields, sharing insights that support today’s entrepreneurs and show that another way forward is possible.

Among them, Olga Martín Pascual, managing director of the Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Tenerife, highlights the importance of embracing change: “Don’t be afraid of change, because it always ends up enriching you professionally.”

Along similar lines, Marta Campos from Talent Garden stresses the value of community. For those starting out, surrounding yourself with people who have already walked that path can make a difference. “Actively listening, sharing doubts and drawing inspiration from others’ experiences” helps build stronger decisions in the early stages of a project.

The testimony of Isabel Caruana, founder of Ailin, introduces another essential dimension: realism. “I’ve had to roll up my sleeves and get down in the mud,” she explains, highlighting the personal commitment required to undertake projects in complex sectors such as health.

Finally, Milagros Ruiz Barroeta reminds us that building a solid professional brand doesn’t happen overnight. “Sustainable growth requires work, patience and acceptance.”

Finalmente, Milagros Ruiz Barroeta recuerda que construir una marca profesional sólida no ocurre de la noche a la mañana. “El crecimiento sostenible requiere trabajo, paciencia y aceptación”. 

All these voices, from different contexts and paths, agree on one point: the importance of creating an environment where women can start businesses, lead and inspire without barriers. Visibility, support, purpose, community and perseverance not only drive individual projects but also strengthen the entire ecosystem.

On International Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, from PLataforma ONE we renew our commitment to equality: highlighting female talent, supporting its development and promoting environments where their ideas can grow and become established.

Today, more than ever, we need the involvement of the entire ecosystem: companies, investors, institutions and professionals. Because equality between women and men is not just a challenge; it is an opportunity to innovate and grow together.

Will you join us in building a more equal, fair and inclusive ecosystem?