Case studies
The WeEco project uses a comparative case study approach, recognizing the importance of regional context in shaping the experiences of women entrepreneurs. We focus on how entrepreneurial ecosystems in Colombia, Germany, and Switzerland support or hinder female business owners. The following established entrepreneurial ecosystems are included:
Colombia: Barranquilla
Barranquilla is rapidly becoming a hub for digital entrepreneurs, particularly in fintech and SaaS. The Colombia Tech Report 2023-2024 reveals that local fintech startups secured $8.5 million in venture capital in 2023. Initiatives like Caribe Exponencial and Atlántico Acelera are helping startups scale and connect with investors. Once lagging behind Bogotá and Medellín, Barranquilla’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has flourished, earning the 'Startup Nations Award for Local Policy Leadership.' Notably, several women-led startups are emerging, addressing the low female founder rates in Latin America, where only 5% of startups are founded by women. Picture: © Adobe Stock
Germany: Berlin
Berlin, a top 20 global startup hub, is known for its strengths in fintech, AI, and health sectors. However, a significant gender gap persists in Germany's startup scene—only 20% of startups are founded by women, many of them in Berlin. Female entrepreneurs face challenges, such as limited access to venture capital, but growing initiatives aim to create a more inclusive ecosystem. Berlin’s diverse environment makes it an ideal case to explore how gender, along with factors like age, family status, race, and migration, shapes women entrepreneurs’ experiences. Picture: © Adobe Stock
Switzerland: Zurich
Zurich is a key innovation hub in Switzerland, supported by leading research universities and multinational companies. However, only about 40% of entrepreneurs in the city are women, according to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. While migrant entrepreneurs often outnumber locals in most OECD countries, this trend does not apply in Switzerland. Despite strong support networks like ImpactHub, Capacity Zurich, and Female Founders, the gender and migration gap persists, underscoring the need for a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. The WeEco Project aims to explore the challenges faced by migrant women entrepreneurs and the strategies they use to navigate the local ecosystem. Picture: © Adobe Stock
