The Women Entrepreneurs Initiative (FRAUEN unternehem)

Back to Atlas

The Women Entrepreneurs Initiative, otherwise known as FRAUEN unternehem, is a national program that has created a network of “role model” women entrepreneurs who travel to universities, schools and economic development events.
What are the main aims and objectives?
The main objective of the Women Entrepreneurs Initiative is to increase the visibility of women entrepreneurs by showcasing success stories from women in various industries and regions. The purpose of this is to inspire more women to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career option with just 16% of German startups founded by women. Likewise, the initiative seeks to raise awareness and address the challenges faced by women in the startup sector and create a more inclusive environment for their growth and success.  
How does the program work?

The main function of the Women Entrepreneurs Initiative is to connect female potential entrepreneurs with experienced and successful women entrepreneurs who volunteer as role models. This is achieved through visiting classes, project weeks, panel discussion and lectures in many events for female trainees, students, university graduates and women from other backgrounds interested in founding company. Dates for these events can be found here. The model entrepreneurs offer a practical and personal insight into everyday entrepreneurial life. The events typically take place in coordination with start-up initiatives, business development agencies and schools or universities. Additionally, selected model entrepreneurs have recorded video portraits that allow them to tell their personal journeys to becoming founders and reveal their motivation for supporting the initiative.  

The belief that underpins the initiative is that for individuals to make the jump to becoming entrepreneurs often requires a “startup spark” through an encounter with an existing entrepreneur who changes the individual’s perception of who has the experience and skills to launch a successful startup. This is believed to be especially powerful when the speaker is from a marginalised group that generally lacks representation in the startup world.  

The initiative also raises awareness about issues affecting women entrepreneurs by promoting women entrepreneur role models in the media. By showcasing successful female entrepreneurs and their stories, the initiative intends to change startup culture to be more friendly to female entrepreneurs. This increased visibility of women entrepreneurs in the media can also encourage more women to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career path, while also educating the public about the challenges and successes faced by women in this field. 

What is the overall cost?
There is no available information about the cost of running the program. However, each of the role model entrepreneurs is there on a voluntary basis and most events are hosted in public institutions such as universities so the cost of the program is likely to be quite low. The initiative is funded by German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). 
How was it implemented?
The network is maintained by the national co-ordinating body in the RKW Competence Centre with the support of Nationwide Startup Agency (Gründerinnenagentur). Women role models apply to participate in the initiative and can benefit from participating through workshops and having opportunities to network among other role models. In 2014, a jury selected 180 out of 260 applicants. Currently there are over 230 role model entrepreneurs across Germany supporting the initiative.  
What impact has been measured?
The Women Entrepreneurs Initiative can demonstrate that they have successfully recruited over 230 role model entrepreneurs from a range of sectors and backgrounds. However, no further information is available about the impact the program. The program does not appear to be tracking any key metrics that would measure the success of the project.  
What lessons can be learned?
The lack of rigorous assessment of the Women Entrepreneurs Initiative impact makes it difficult to draw substantive lessons for programs seeking to replicate its functions. It is worth noting that the main goal of the program is to inspire potential entrepreneurs, and that something as intangible as inspiration is comparatively difficult to track rigorously. Nonetheless, the initiative could provide more information about the number of individuals who have attended events and could consider surveying attendees to capture the initial reaction they have to the message of the role models.  

CURATED BY

Tom Hancock

Research Associate
Global Entrepreneurship Network
United Kingdom