Overview

• 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.