Day 1 of the ICSB Paris Signature Event opened with a clear purpose — to move beyond awareness and deliver action. Hosted in collaboration with the OECD, the day brought together global leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and researchers to address one of the most pressing challenges in entrepreneurship: how to close the financial and structural gaps that hold women back from achieving their full economic potential.
The day began with the global launch of the OECD–GWEP report, Bridging the Finance Gap for Women Entrepreneurs, presented by Jonathan Potter and Belinda Owalla. The findings were revealing: women remain only 75% as likely as men to start or manage a business, receive just 2% of global venture capital funding, and are half as likely to access bank loans. Yet the potential reward for action is immense — closing this gap could
boost GDP by as much as 12% in advanced economies. Moderated by David Halabisky, the OECD-led panel, joined by leaders from Canada, France, the UK, and the United States, highlighted a shared vision: equitable access to finance is not just a moral issue — it’s an economic strategy for innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth. Dr. Winslow Sargeant, ICSB Immediate Chair, captured this sentiment perfectly: bridging the financial divide requires both policy innovation and a mindset shift — one in which women are seen not as participants but as architects of the global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Camille Burns (WPO) and Dr. Ayman ElTarabishy (ICSB) led a powerful session that turned data into dialogue and dialogue into direction. CEOs and leaders from France, South Africa, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, and the United States shared how women-owned businesses are scaling with purpose, using AI, education, and cross-border collaboration to redefine what entrepreneurial success means. Dr. Rico Baldegger, ICSB Board Member, underscored the importance of education and lifelong learning as the backbone of sustainable empowerment. Three revealing outputs emerged: the creation of mixed networks for equal collaboration between men and women; the recognition of 
AI as an equalizer that enables women to scale efficiently without traditional hierarchies; and the growing consensus that financial tools must be paired with non-financial supports — such as mentorship, leadership programs, and peer advisory systems — to drive lasting impact.
The day’s session, moderated by Dr. Rico Baldegger and Dr. Winslow Sargeant, spotlighted digital empowerment as the new frontier for women-led growth. Amazon Corporation joined the session and presented a key report showing that 6 out of 10 businesses selling on Amazon are SMEs. These New findings are from a 13-country study show how digital platforms are empowering small businesses worldwide. By removing barriers and improving competitiveness, we can help even more SMEs thrive in the global marketplace. Helen Larrecq and Professor Jarna Heinonen from the OECD, alongside innovators from Amazon, Cartier Women’s Initiative, and UNCTAD’s eTrade for Women, showcased how technology and digital ecosystems are breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women to lead globally. Across all discussions, twelve core themes anchored the day — from Collaborative Networks and Data and Digital Power to AI as an Equalizer and Confidence and Community. Together, they represented a blueprint for the future of inclusive entrepreneurship.
Path: Allyship in Action
A new concept emerged in Paris — Allyship in Action. True allyship means turning support into tangible change. It calls on leaders, investors, and partners — both
remove barriers, share opportunities, and amplify women’s potential. In essence, allyship is not about standing for women entrepreneurs — it’s about standing with them, together.
Dr. Ayman ElTarabishy’s final message captured the spirit of the day:
“We are no longer talking about inclusion as an invitation — women are already here, building, innovating, and leading. The next step is partnership — not just policies written for women, but smart policies and shared platforms built with them in mind. This is how we redefine entrepreneurship for the world.”
The day concluded with a reception with the OECD, celebrating shared achievements and partnerships. ICSB proudly recognized the Women Presidents Organization (WPO) as a key ally, whose global leadership continues to elevate women entrepreneurs and shape the next generation of inclusive, human-centered policies.
From Paris, one message echoed through every session, every voice, and every insight: the future of entrepreneurship is not just inclusive — it is collaborative, digital, and deeply human-centered.
