ICSB Signature Event - Paris
Removing Barriers to Entrepreneurship for Women
Paris | November 3-4, 2025
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.
The event will:
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.
Welcoming remarks on behalf of ICSB and the OECD
Lucia Cusmano, Head of the SME and Entrepreneurship Division, Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities
Ayman ElTarabishy, President & CEO, ICSB
The OECD Secretariat and Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Policy Network (GWEP) will present the findings and recommendations of a new report being launched at this event – Bridging the Finance Gap for Women Entrepreneurs: Insights from Academic and Policy Research.
Jonathan Potter, Head of Unit, Entrepreneurship Policy and Analysis, SME and Entrepreneurship, OECD CFE
Belinda Owalla, Oxford Brookes University
A panel of policy makers, experts and entrepreneurs will debate the main policy insights of the report and how governments, the private sector and other stakeholders could take actions to improve access to finance for women entrepreneurs.
Time for a coffee break.
A panel of CEOs/presidents and experts will share their experiences and highlight key areas for policy action to support women entrepreneurs better. This session will also showcase public and private initiatives that have successfully enabled women entrepreneurs to start and scale their businesses.
Moderated by Camille Burns (WPO) and Ayman ElTarabishy (ICSB)
Lunch & Networking
Lunch at the OECD Cafeteria or Restaurant and continue networking with attendees.
The OECD Secretariat will present evidence on women’s participation in digital entrepreneurship, the barriers faced, the opportunities available, and the potential directions for future policy development.
Moderated by Jonathan Potter (OECD)
A panel of policy makers, 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, panellists will explore how policy can close digital divides and empower women entrepreneurs to grow and innovate through technology. Q&A format.
Moderated by Rico Baldegger (ICSB) and Ayman ElTarabishy (ICSB)
Join us for a group photo followed by a relaxed networking break over coffee, a chance to connect, share ideas, and build new relationships.
Final Comments on Day One and Announcing 2026 Plans.
This session will involve all participants in identifying 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 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 to a plenary session where a moderator will summarize the results. Session.
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.
ICSB Paris Signature Event: Removing Barriers to Entrepreneurship by Women
Research Agenda – Day 2 (November 4, 2025)
Format: 20 papers total | 6 sessions | 2 parallel tracks
Room 1 MB S226
09.15-10:35 Session 1A: Structural Barriers: (4 papers)
10:35-11:00 COFFEE BREAK
11:00-12:00 Session 2A: Networks & Finance: (3 papers)
12:00-13:00 Session 3A: Policy Interventions: (3 papers)
13:00-14:15 LUNCH & NETWORKING
Room 2 MB S1122
09.15-10:35 Session 1B: Cultural Context: (4 papers)
10:35-11:00 COFFEE BREAK
11:00-12:00 Session 2B: Work-Life Integration: (3 papers)
12:00-13:00 Session 3B: Digital Entrepreneurship: (3 papers):
13:00-14:15 LUNCH & NETWORKING
PRESENTATION FORMAT
20 minutes per paper: 15 min presentation + 5 min Q&A
Session chairs: Introduce speakers, moderate Q&A, manage time
Discussion time: Built into each 20-minute slot
SESSION 1A (Room 1 MB S226) | Structural Barriers and Systemic Inequities: Examining institutional obstacles across sectors and contexts
Session chair: Rita Grant
Paper 1A.1 (09:15-09:35)
From Bench to Business: Addressing Structural Inequities for Women Entrepreneurs in Biotech and Health Innovation
Sara Mahdavi (Harvard University and University of Toronto)
Paper 1A.2 (09:35-9:55)
Female Entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa: Barriers, Stakeholders, and Strategies for Resilient Training Models
Fatimata A. Ly-Baro, Zokha Butt, Jodi-Ann Haynes & John M. York (Le Mans University)
Paper 1A.3 (09:55-10:15)
Beyond the Glass Ceiling: High Equality, Low Representation — Barriers to Women’s Corporate Leadership in Latvia
Irina Sennikova & Olga Dzene, (RISEBA University of Applied Sciences)
Paper A.4 (10:15-10:35)
An Exploratory Study on the Forthcoming Entrepreneurship Skills
Delia E. Mateiaş, (The Research Institute of The University of Bucharest and The Ionian University), Richard Hammett (Walden University and the EITRI) and Gary R. Low (Texas A&M University-Kingsville and the EITRI)
SESSION 1B (Room 2 MB S1122 | Cultural Context and Social Identity: How culture, language, and identity shape entrepreneurial journeys
Session chair: Winslow Sargeant
Paper 1B.1 (09:35-9:55)
Do Words Shape Who Becomes an Entrepreneur? Evidence from Gendered Language in Entrepreneurship Education
Kimberly Eddleston, Kristen Madison, Chioma Okpalaeke, Jerald Wallace & Torsten Pieper (Northeastern University)
Paper 1B.2 (09:55-10:15)
Fempreneurial Intelligence: Overcoming Systemic Barriers through Emotional and Cultural Intelligences
Kristīne Kutuzova (RISEBA, Riga)
Paper 1.3. (10:15-10:35)
Building on EPIC: Toward Rigorous, Replicable, & Relevant Impact Assessment in Entrepreneurship Education
Norris Krüger
Coffee Break for Networking
SESSION 2A (Room 1 MB S226) | Networks, Finance, and Capacity Building: Support systems that enable growth and sustainability
Session Chair: Rita Grant
Paper 2A.1 (11:00-11:20)
Formal networks as a lever for legitimacy and inclusion in women entrepreneurship: preliminary evidence from ongoing research
Cécile Gras-Bazin & Annabelle Jaouen (MBS School of Business, Montpellier)
Paper 2A.2 (11:20-11:40)
Uniqueness and Gender: Rethinking Value Propositions in Equity Crowdfunding
Claudio Bonvino, Vincenzo Butticè & Cristina Rossi-Lamastra (Politecnico di Milano)
Paper 2A.3 (11:40-12:00)
Entrepreneurial Behavioral Competencies Early-Stage Entrepreneurs Must Master to Avoid Derailment
Margaret Johnsson & Lisa Hollis-Sawyer (Bridgewater State University)
SESSION 2B (Room 2 MB S1122 | Work-Life Integration and Community Building: Mompreneurship, refugee entrepreneurs, and social capital
Session chair: Rico Baldegger and Christian Meisel
Paper 2B.1 (11:00-11:20)
Balancing Acts: Exploring Mompreneurial Pathways – Full-Time, Part-Time and During Parental Leave
Hannah Jensen & Christine K. Volkmann (University of Wuppertal),
Paper 2B.2 (11:20-11:40)
Opportunity Creation by Women Refugee Entrepreneurs
Rebecca Reuber & Sophie Alkhaled (University of Toronto)
Paper 2B.3 (11:40-12:00)
Cultural barriers and strategic approaches to gender equality in entrepreneurship,
Alena Křížková & Marie Pospíšilová (Institute of Sociology, Czech Academy of Sciences)
SESSION 3A (Room 1 MB S226) | Policy Interventions and Promotional Programs: Critical examination of policies and support initiatives
Session Chair: Rita Grant
Paper 3A.1 (12:00-12:20)
Can women’s entrepreneurship really be promoted?
Carin Holmquist & Anna Kremel (Stockholm School of Economics)
Paper 3A.2 (12:20-12:40)
Collateral Benefits and the Promotion of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Ireland: The case of the REsPoNSE initiative
Colette Henry, Teresa O’Rourke, Trudie Murray, Lana Repar, Joe Bogue, Breda O’Dwyer & Amanda Kearns (Dundalk Institute of Technology)
Paper 3A.3 (12:40-13:00)
Identification of content and communication channels for successfully addressing and activating women for entrepreneurship
Natalia Gorynia-Pfeffer & Armin Baharian (RKW Kompetenzzentrum, Germany)
SESSION 3B (Room 2 MB S1122) | Digital Entrepreneurship and Technology Enablers: How digital platforms and tech literacy unlock entrepreneurial potential
Session chair: Rico Baldegger
Paper 3B.1 (12:00-12:20)
Computer Science Literacy for Women Entrepreneurs– Identifying the Linking “Bits”
Sundar Balakrishna (Government of India, Vijayawada)
Paper 3B.2 (12:20-12:40)
How Digital Content Platforms Lower the Barriers for Women Entering Entrepreneurship
Eileen Fischer (Schulich School of Business, York University)
Paper 3B.3 (12:40-13:00)
Navigating Barriers, Harnessing Enablers: A Functional Model of Women’s Technopreneurship in Kenya
Richard Wamalwa Wanzala & Nanziri Elizabeth Lwanga (Stellenbosch University)
Power Lunch at OECD and continue to network.
Start planning your travel to Station F.
Transportation will not be provided.
Welcome, walking round, coffee
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Experience at Station F shared by HEC Paris & Entrepreneurs
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Presentation by Station F, Junior Conference Room
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 stimulate dialogue, highlight key lessons learned, and foster 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 Signature Event through rigorous scholarship and real-world impact.
The submission fee is $300 and covers the review process, editorial support, and journal administration.
Guest Editors: Dr. Rita Grant and Dr. Rico Baldegger
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.
