ICSB Signature Event - Paris
Removing Barriers to Entrepreneurship by Women
Paris | November 3-4, 2025
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Paris | November 3-4, 2025
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.
Developing agile business leaders through investment in education, mentorship, and capacity building.
Equipping Women MSMEs with the tools and resources to innovate, adopt new technologies, and remain competitive.
Strengthening local and global support women networks, including policy frameworks, financial systems, and partnerships.
Ensuring women MSMEs have access to the right financial instruments both public and private to scale, innovate, and lead.
Registration & Networking: Connect with fellow participants over coffee and light refreshments.
OECD Conference Centre, 2 rue André Pascal, 75116 – Paris CC4. Registration will open at 9:30 for a 10:00 start. We recommend participants arrive early to avoid delays at the gate.
Separate venue registration is required to enter the venue.
Opening of Forum and Welcome Remarks
OECD: Dr. Jonathan Potter, Head of Unit
ICSB: Dr. Ayman ElTarabishy, President & CEO, ICSB
The OECD Secretariat will present the findings and recommendations of a new report to be launched at this event – Entrepreneurship Policies through a Gender Lens.
A panel of policymakers, experts, and entrepreneurs will debate the main policy insights of the report and how governments and the private sector could take action to improve access to finance for women entrepreneurs.
ICSB Speakers:
Camille Burns, CEO of Women Presidents Organization (WPO)
Rita Grant, ICSB Board Member
OECD Speakers:
TBC.
Session Chair: Drs. Ayman ElTarabishy and Jonathan Potter
Time for a coffee break.
This high-level panel brings together women Presidents and CEOs from around the world to share candid insights into the opportunities and challenges of leading and scaling businesses in today’s dynamic global landscape. These accomplished leaders will reflect on their entrepreneurial journeys, strategic decisions, and the realities of navigating complex markets. The session will explore how women-led businesses are identifying growth opportunities, overcoming systemic and structural barriers, and leveraging innovation and leadership to expand globally. Attendees will gain firsthand perspectives on what it takes to thrive at the top — and what support ecosystems must evolve to enable women entrepreneurs to succeed and lead at scale.
ICSB: Global Tour-de-Table:
Session Chair: Camille Burns and Ayman ElTarabishy
Lunch & Networking
Lunch at the OECD Cafeteria or Restaurant and continue networking with attendees.
The OECD Secretariat will present evidence on the participation of women in digital entrepreneurship, the barriers faced, the opportunities available, and the potential directions for future policy development.
Chair: Dr. Jonathan Potter
A panel of policymakers, experts, and entrepreneurs will debate how policy can better support women entrepreneurs in navigating and benefiting from the digital transition. From access to digital infrastructure and skills development to inclusive innovation ecosystems, panelists will explore how policy can close digital divides and empower women entrepreneurs to grow and innovate through technology.
ICSB Speakers:
Amazon Company: TBC
WPO: CEOs.
OECD Speakers: TBC
Session Chair: Dr. Rico Baldegger, ICSB Board Member and Ayman ElTarabishy
Join us for a group photo followed by a relaxed networking break over coffee, a chance to connect, share ideas, and build new relationships.
Dive into the world of cutting-edge AI innovations designed to help business leaders, including women CEOs, optimize operations, drive growth, and make data-informed decisions. This session will explore the newest technologies transforming how businesses are managed and scaled in today’s fast-paced, digital-first environment.
ICSB: Invite Tech Firms, Start-Ups, and Innovators
OECD: TBC.
Chair: Ayman ElTarabishy
Final Comments on Day One and Announcing 2026 Plans.
This session will involve all participants in seeking to identify priority topics for future work by the OECD, ICSB, and others on supporting women’s entrepreneurship, including new reports and analysis, and potential areas for recommendations to governments and the private sector. Participants will break into groups to propose their views on what are the most critical areas for future analysis and policy recommendations. They will be able to score different potential work priorities, add other examples, and give information on the nature of the issue to be explored. After 30 minutes, the groups will report back to a plenary session where a moderator will sum up the results.
Chairs: Jonathan Potter and Ayman ElTarabishy
Unwind and mingle with fellow attendees in a relaxed setting designed for meaningful conversations, new friendships, and fresh collaborations. Enjoy light refreshments as we toast to shared ideas, global connections, and the spirit of entrepreneurship.
Join us at the OECD for a day dedicated to Research.
This room hosts a series of research paper presentations focused on identifying and addressing the barriers faced by women in entrepreneurship. Each session features in-depth research and practical insights aimed at fostering inclusive and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystems. Presentations are structured into 20-minute segments and divided across three thematic paper sessions:
09:30 – 10:30 | Session 1
10:30 – 11:00 | Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:00 | Session 2
12:00 – 13:00 | Session 3
Join us for a compelling morning of evidence-based discussion and global research contributions.
This room features interactive sessions focused on education, practical applications, and global initiatives that support women entrepreneurs. With a strong emphasis on grounded research and real-world impact, each session will showcase innovative programs, training models, and partnerships from around the world. These workshops offer a unique opportunity to engage with practitioners, explore collaborative efforts, and build meaningful connections for future initiatives.
Sessions are scheduled as follows:
09:30 – 10:30 | Workshop 1
10:30 – 11:00 | Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:00 | Workshop 2
12:00 – 13:00 | Workshop 3
Power Lunch at OECD and continue to network.
Start planning your travel to Station F.
Transportation will not be provided.
STATION F stands as a transformative force in the French innovation ecosystem. Once fragmented and under-recognized, France’s startup landscape has been unified and elevated through the creation of this ambitious hub. By gathering over 1,000 startups and world-class innovation partners under one roof, STATION F has become a central point for collaboration, visibility, and rapid growth, helping position France as a global leader in entrepreneurship.
The vision began in 2013 when Xavier Niel purchased a former railway depot with the bold goal of turning it into the world’s largest startup campus. Despite early skepticism—including from national leaders—STATION F opened in 2017 and quickly exceeded expectations. It now houses a dynamic community of startups supported by services, investors, and corporate partners, enabling them to scale and innovate with impact.
Today, STATION F is recognized not only as a French success story, but as a model for global innovation ecosystems. It is home to the largest AI startup community in Europe and continues to drive forward-thinking entrepreneurship. The site visit offered a powerful look at how bold ideas, when executed with clarity and commitment, can reshape an entire national and regional innovation narrative.
Transportation: On Your Own.
Address: 5, parvis Alan Turing, 75013 Paris
The International Council for Small Business (ICSB) and the Journal of the International Council for Small Business (JICSB) invite high-quality submissions for the upcoming seminar Removing Barriers to Entrepreneurship by Women, to be held in Paris on November 3-4, 2025. This signature event aligns with ICSB’s mission to empower MSMEs worldwide through cutting-edge research and practical insights. Accepted papers will be considered for publication in JICSB, ICSB’s esteemed peer-reviewed journal.
We welcome submissions centered around five core areas that reflect the ICSB Paris Signature Event agenda:
Papers may include empirical research, case studies, applied programs, or policy analyses that offer scalable and actionable solutions in support of inclusive entrepreneurship.
Presentations will be organized within two main tracks: research papers delivered in structured academic sessions, and practice-based workshops or initiative showcases exploring global models and collaborative strategies. Each track will feature sessions designed to provoke dialogue, highlight lessons learned, and build cross-border partnerships.
Please submit a 300–500 word abstract by October 1, 2025. Join ICSB and JICSB in shaping cutting-edge knowledge based on this Paris Signaute Event through rigorous scholarship and real-world impact.
Guest Editors: Dr. Rita Grant and Dr. Rico Baldegger
Several hotels in Paris offer special rates for OECD delegates, and visitors, with some located near the OECD headquarters. These hotels can be found by searching online travel agencies or through the OECD website, which lists options in Paris.
Download PDF for Hotel List: List-of-hotels-close-to-OECD
President & CEO, ICSB
Professor GW School of Business
Head of Entrepreneurship Policy Unit at OECD
Chief Executive Officer of the Women Presidents Organization
ICSB Board Member
ICSB Board Member
Reserve your spot today and gain valuable insights on how to drive innovation, empower your team, and lead with purpose.
We’re here to help! Reach out for more details about the forum, registration, or how this event can benefit you and your organization.
