Only 15.3% of start-ups founded in Switzerland between 2021 and 2025 are led by women. This is partly due to unequal access to capital. Experts outline strategies to address persistent biases.
Female entrepreneurship is increasing in Switzerland, but still represents only a small share. Between 2016 and 2020, the share of start-ups founded by women stood at 10.8%. This proportion rose to 15.3% between 2021 and 2025. Despite this progress, female founders remain underrepresented compared with their male counterparts. "There is still considerable room for improvement, and it is too early to conclude that the narrowing of the gap reflects a long-term trend," notes Patricia Montesinos, founder of the Zurich-based FE+MALE Think Tank, which promotes gender diversity in entrepreneurship.
In 2024, companies founded or co-founded by women raised a record CHF 290 million in Switzerland. The e-commerce sector recorded the highest proportion of female founders (28%), followed by healthcare (19%). "Awareness-raising efforts are having an effect and have led to greater investor awareness of diversity and bias. Additionally, we need a shift in intentional behaviour to ensure that awareness continues to produce the desired outcomes," adds Patricia Montesinos. Although this represents an increase of 22% compared with 2023, it accounts for only 9.3% of total funds raised. Several studies show that a significant gender gap persists in start-up financing. This gap reflects persistent structural inequalities between men and women in access to business finance. While certain biases remain deeply entrenched, it is possible to anticipate and mitigate them by adopting a few targeted strategies.
Learning to convince investors
According to a study conducted in 2024 and 2025 by HES-SO, female entrepreneurs face five characteristic biases. The first relates to risk perception: women, who are generally more cautious in presenting their projects, may be perceived as less ambitious than men. However, this can also be an advantage. "A realistic and well-documented approach can be reassuring. It is important to demonstrate that the figures presented are robust and supported by evidence," explains Line Pillet, who led this study as head of the Institute of Entrepreneuriat & Management at HES-SO Valais-Wallis.
A second bias concerns founders’ attachment to the values underlying their projects, which they often consider more important than financial returns. This is a significant factor: 60% of female entrepreneurs report being motivated by a social or environmental objective, compared with 45.9% of men, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2025. "There is still some reluctance among female founders to focus on financial aspects. However, an entrepreneurial project must be financially viable. When pitching to potential investors, it is essential to highlight financial sustainability, not only social impact. More broadly, it is important to adapt the message to the audience," says Line Pillet.
Taking part in mentorship programs
In an ecosystem where entrepreneurs and investors are still predominantly male, building partnerships often remains challenging. "Mentorship programs are a key lever. They help strengthen founders’ confidence at more advanced stages of company development by connecting women with one another," emphasizes Patricia Montesinos of the FE+MALE think tank. It is also important to build networks with women following similar paths. Dedicated initiatives already exist in Switzerland. For example, Genuine connects women who have a project idea but have not yet structured it.
"Women who wish to combine family life and entrepreneurship can rely on the Mampreneures network," notes Line Pillet. In German-speaking Switzerland, similar support is provided by the Verband Frauenunternehmen (VFU) and the association Wirtschaftsfrauen Schweiz. These initiatives reflect a collective dynamic that remains essential, particularly in addressing persistent structural inequalities. "Women with family responsibilities continue to face expectations of full availability, which are difficult to reconcile with the demands of entrepreneurship," observes Line Pillet.
On the theme
Women less confident about starting a business
The latest report by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, whose Swiss data is produced by the Fribourg School of Management, shows that women’s entrepreneurial intentions continue to be affected by gender inequalities. The "ease of starting a business," which measures how simple it is to establish a company in Switzerland, is generally perceived more positively by men than by women. Just over 70% of male respondents considered it "easy" to start a business, compared with fewer than 61% of women. In 2024, 44.4% of adults reported having the skills and knowledge required to start a business. This figure is almost unchanged from 2020. However, a significant gap remains: 54.0% of men report confidence in their abilities, compared with only 34.7% of women.
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Last modification 06.05.2026
