Study Reveals Decline in Female Start-Up Founders in Germany

Women now represent only 18.8% of start-up founders in Germany, highlighting systemic barriers and the need for inclusive innovation to combat economic stagnation.

The proportion of women founding start-ups in Germany dropped from 20.7% in 2023 to 18.8% in 2024, reversing previous years' progress.
Key barriers include traditional gender roles, lack of role models, and difficulties balancing family responsibilities with entrepreneurship.
Women-led start-ups continue to receive disproportionately low venture capital funding, with 91% of funding still going to male-only teams.
Globally, women account for around 20% of start-up founders, mirroring the gender gap seen in Germany.
Experts stress that leveraging female entrepreneurial potential is crucial for fostering innovation and addressing Germany's economic challenges.