20 Jahre years of supporting businesswomen and female founders

The Vienna Business Agency has been supporting businesswomen and female founders with free workshops, knowledge and targeted advice, and thus encouraging and promoting women in business, for twenty years. Over this time, the Agency has developed a strong and expanding network of women in business. Twenty years ago, the proportion of female founders was just 39 per cent, a figure which by 2018 had increased to 44.5 per cent across Austria, and 47 per cent in Vienna.

Women only

Around 5,000 women have already taken advantage of the Agency’s service. In 2018 alone, 160 women attended consultation sessions and almost 100 female founders received individual training from the Vienna Business Agency to assist them in developing their business ideas. The Business Agency also pays special attention to women in its funding activities. Selected funding opportunities offer a “women’s bonus” of EUR 2,000 to EUR 5,000, depending on the size of the grant, to business projects led by women. Nor is the Vienna Business Agency neglecting the youngest candidates. The “Future Jobs” and “Attack of Ideas” projects introduce children and young people to age-appropriate technology that can help them to put their own ideas into practice.

Much has been achieved – but there’s plenty more to do

The proportion of women who are founding growth-oriented companies, or startups, is still very low – between five and ten per cent. Since 2018, Female Founders has been added to the broad range of options provided by the Founders Lab. This year, the Lab is once again offering 15 selected projects the opportunity to enjoy extensive networking with experts in the practical field in addition to two months of intensive startup support.

Photos of the event celebrating 20 years of supporting businesswomen and female founders

Vienna, October 17, 2019.