ICSB Signature Event, Paris
Removing Barriers to Entrepreneurship for Women
Paris · November 3–4, 2025
Turning Insights Into Action — organized by ICSB and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Watch Program Online
More women are starting businesses, driving innovation and growth in the global economy. Yet, women continue to be underrepresented among the population of entrepreneurs. In OECD countries, women were about 75% as likely as men to be starting or managing a new business during the period 2019–23. This event will explore opportunities to unleash untapped potential for innovation and growth-oriented entrepreneurship among women, focusing on government policies that address the barriers they face. It will cover issues in a broad range of areas, including attitudes and culture, skills, networks, finance, and regulations.
The event will gather high-level policymakers, women entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurship support organisations. Panel sessions will explore the barriers and opportunities, examine the role of finance, discuss digital entrepreneurship, and outline the future agenda for policy actions. Women entrepreneurs leading innovative and growth-oriented businesses will also present their stories and discuss how public policy can better support the development of companies like theirs.
What the Event Will Deliver
Launch a new publication by the OECD and the Global Women's Entrepreneurship Policy Network (GWEP) on Bridging the Finance Gap for Women Entrepreneurs: Insights from Academic and Policy Research, and debate the lessons for women entrepreneurship.
Present the state of play in women's involvement in digital entrepreneurship and discuss the policy actions needed to increase it.
Discuss case studies of women entrepreneurs who have developed successful businesses and the public and private sector support that helps enable them.
Share best practice policies for supporting women entrepreneurs in starting and scaling their businesses in areas such as institutions, finance, networks, skills, and digitalisation.
Consult on the priority areas for further research and policy advice by the OECD and ICSB.
Explore how to turn evidence into action to support a more gender inclusive and diverse pipeline of entrepreneurs.
ICSB Paris Signature Event Picture Book
A look back at the highlights from Paris.