Presentation of the panel participants
Discussion moderators
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1st Part: CONTEXT The content of the conference was structured around three main points. At first the participants reviewed the role of women in entrepreneurship in their particular countries (France, Germany, Spain, U.K.). This helped to highlight some similarities and differences among
the represented countries. We realized there is a strong progress towards increased female participation in entrepreneurship in Germany and France. In addition, beyond a common figure in all countries - from 36 to 38 % of woman entrepreneurs - woman entrepreneurial activ-
ities differ : in the UK , women undertake activities mainly in tourism and office services. In Germany , woman entrepreneurs work mostly part-time . In France, founding an enterprise is common for more experienced women (over 40 years) while in Spain , it is mostly young women.
2nd Part : OBSTACLES The second conference block aimed to identify constraints that female entrepreneurs might face in their professional lives. The family situation has been cited as an example but it seems that access to finance and many stereotypes are perceived as the major obstacles.
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2nd Part : OBSTACLES U.K. – Panel participants denounced the current status of women in the business environment, especially the difficulty of young female entrepreneurs to get access to financial capital.
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2nd Part : OBSTACLES In France the main challenge for business women is to be as effective as men in presenting successfully their business plans to bankers.
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2nd Part : OBSTACLES In Germany the biggest burden represents taking care of family (childcare in particular)
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3rd Part : GOVERNMENTAL APPROACH The initial purpose of the event was to understand what is the approach the represented countries use to face this problem and what kind of actions do countries implement to reduce disparities between men and women.
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3rd Part : GOVERNMENTAL APPROACH According to the panelists, the British approach is based on communication with advisors or mentors who supervise women’s business progress.
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3rd Part : GOVERNMENTAL APPROACH In France, solutions are mainly provided by the legislation (more laws to balance the position of women in society). Governmental and institutional initiatives are traditionally very strong.
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CONCLUSION Panel participants stressed the importance of networking and the involvement of female entrepreneurs in business networks and the importance of education to raise awareness of entrepreneurship from an early age.
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FUTURE Despite various disparities among European countries, we can observe one common trend => bright future for women entrepreneurs.
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EVENT ORGANISERS GEM Entreprendre, a student association at Grenoble Ecole de Management (GEM), is working in close collaboration with GEM’s Institute of Entrepreneurship. GEM Entreprendre currently has 50 active members (students of the Specialized Master Track for Entrepreneurs). GEM Entreprendre has the following missions: to promote entrepreneurship within and outside of Grenoble Ecole de Management. to foster entrepreneurial activities of Specialized Master Track students and to coordinate their actions with broader business communities. to maintain the good reputation of the Institute of Entrepreneurship and the Specialized Master Track for Entrepreneurs. to organize different business events, conferences, and forums. to help in monitoring projects related to entrepreneurship in terms of communication , budget and partnerships.
IMAGE ARTIST Roger BRUNEL
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