Women´s entrepreneurship in Sweden

Gunilla LindnerVesterbotten Chamber

of Commerce

- 9 million inhabitants- 700,000 companies- 68 % of companies comprise one person- 90 % have fewer than 5 employees

Sweden

Northern Norrland

- 500,000 inhabitants

- 30,000 companies

- 66 % of companies comprise one person

- 90 % have fewer than 5 employees

Parental benefits• 390 days - 80 % of salary

– 60 days allocated to each parent

• 90 days - 18 € per day• Gender Equality Bonus

– The parent taking most paternal leave during the year pays less tax on earned income. Maximum bonus if the parents share parental leave equally.

• 120 days per year - home with sick child

Childcare • Maximum tariff 126 € per month • students - no charge

Why invest in women?

• 30 % of new entrepreneurs • 25 % of existing entrepreneurs• 6 % of companies are run by women and

men together• Entrepreneurship is generally low in Sweden

• Especially among women• Swedish government wants more companies

started by women

Promote Women Entrepreneurship 2007 - 2009

• Swedish Agency of Economic and Regional Growth

• Minister for Enterprise and Energy - Maud Olofsson

• 10 million euro per year

Women are Great

• 55 women applied, only 15 places

• Two groups of women, 14 in each group

• Group 1 - Women who want to start a company

• Group 2 - Women who have already started a company

• Why two groups?

• Experience within a wide scope

What do they want?

• Sharing experiences

• Networking

• Entrepreneurship skills

Project activities

• Coaching seminar - daring to take the step/We who have taken the step• Business and business plan/marketing plan and budget• Self-esteem and confidence• Making money and how to set the price level • External and internal leadership• Sales communications• Marketing via the Internet/ website and e-commerce• Insurance • Personnel issues • How choose the company name• Selling by using your network• How do the companies move on?

Results Women are Great

• 20 % started companies during the project period

• 20 % will start a company in five years

• 11 % have started to expand

• 100 % recommend this progarmme

• They have a network

Promote Women´s Entrepreneurship 2007 - 2009

• 86,000 people have used the programme

• 26 % - started companies

• 33 % - more employees in five years

• 78 % - turnover will increase

• 86 % - increase their possibilities to develop the company

• 91 % - recommend this programme

Results

Other projects

Leia Accelerator • Companies wishing to grow and learn • Meeting-place with a flexible concept that encourages and

develops human enterprise• Establishing links with cooperation partners in Europe

Ambassadors of women´s entrepreneurship• To inspire women • Role models• Non-profit basis

”Styrelsekraft” Board Power • National board representation programme

General comments

• Suscess stories

• Organising activities

• Networking

• Indicates the need for a different type of assistance for women