Dear AAPBS Members
I have noticed recently that women established
companies, which have turned out to be successful.
Traditionally,
entrepreneurship has been a male-dominated industry. When most people are asked
to list famous entrepreneurs, most of the names given are male. In a recent list of the top 25 entrepreneurs, only two women are included. Historically,
women have been underrepresented when it comes to entrepreneurship. They also
still face many roadblocks to securing funding and launching a successful
company today. Before 2014, only 15 percent of those pursuing angel investment
were female.
Thankfully
we¡¯re seeing changes on the horizon. Today, women make up 40 percent of new US entrepreneurs. According to a recent report, women are now
slightly more likely to begin a new business than men. In fact, last year saw
the beginning of an average of 1,821 new women-owned businesses each
day. Today, more women have the opportunity to educate themselves about
starting a new business. It¡¯s also easier for them to meet mentors, and they
have more options for finding funding.
Women
have the potential to fuel our country¡¯s future economic growth. In the US,
female-owned businesses have an economic impact of $3 trillion. These women are
also responsible for creating or maintaining 23 million jobs.
Studies also show that
female-led businesses also perform better than those led by men. Companies
founded by women generate more than 60 percent more revenue for investors than
those launched by men.
As a
result, future investors will be more likely to turn to female-founded companies when it comes to investing their money. After all, businesses created
and led by women have a powerful economic impact, are consistently creating new
jobs, and provide a great return on investment.
Unfortunately,
female entrepreneurs still have to overcome a variety of roadblocks. Their main
challenges include a lack of education and difficulty financing their ventures.
Entrepreneurship has traditionally been a boys¡¯ club. In addition, the vast
majority of the decision makers at venture capital firms are male. Because
female entrepreneurship is only just now beginning to take off, women lack
female mentors and role models.
Women,
however, are working hard to support each other in the new industry. They¡¯ve
created groups, conferences, and panels for fellow female entrepreneurs. Women
are also becoming increasingly better at leveraging the limited resources they
have in place. Their businesses have a significant economic impact. I¡¯m excited
to see how they¡¯ll continue to transform the entrepreneurial landscape.
A
Japanese business school operates an entrepreneurship program designed for
women. Let me know if you have s similar case to it in your country.
Last but
not least, I would like to meet lots of members at CFVG, Ho Chi Minh.
Best
regards
Kenji Yokoyama
President, AAPBS Executive Dean & Vice-President Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)
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