Women entrepreneurs UK and worldwide now account for more than one in three business owners, yet the journey from starting a business to scaling it remains harder for women than for men. The latest GEM 2024/2025 Global Report, the most comprehensive study of entrepreneurial activity worldwide, shows that women’s entrepreneurship has grown substantially since the early 2010s. In developed economies such as the UK, a confidence gap and a scaling gap continue to hold women back.

According to GEM (2024/2025), more than 270 million women are currently starting or running businesses across the economies surveyed. Women’s early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA) now stands at around 11.6% globally, compared with roughly 14.0% for men. While the gap is narrowing, women are still less likely than men to run mature, established firms or to expect rapid job creation from their ventures. GEM (2024/2025) also reports that women entrepreneurs are less likely than their male counterparts to expect their businesses to employ six or more people within five years, a key indicator of long-term business sustainability and economic impact.

Women entrepreneurs UK: the latest GEM data

For women entrepreneurs UK, the data tells a mixed story: startup rates are rising, but established business ownership still lags behind. The latest UK GEM data (2024/2025) suggests that around 8.6% of women are engaged in early-stage entrepreneurship, compared with approximately 11.6% of men. Established business ownership is lower still: roughly 5.9% of women own an established business, against about 8.9% of men.

These figures are reinforced by the UK government’s Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship, which estimates that there are now around 1.6 million women-led businesses in the UK (Rose Review, 2024). That is a significant increase on previous years, yet women-led firms still represent a minority of the total business population and remain under-represented in high-growth sectors.

The economic case for closing these gaps is compelling. The Rose Review (2024) estimates that if women started businesses at the same rate as men, the UK economy could benefit by up to £250 billion. Realising that potential requires targeted action on finance, networks and business support, not just celebration of startup numbers.

Moving from startup to sustainability

As GEM researchers note, the real challenge is not simply getting women to start businesses, but helping them sustain and grow those businesses. In most economies, there are fewer women than men running mature businesses. This raises a red flag about the ability of women to move smoothly from startup phase to established enterprise.

To improve survival and growth rates, you need better access to:

• finance that recognises diverse business models and growth trajectories,
• networks and collaborations that open doors to new markets and supply chains,
• practical training in opportunity identification, financial management and leadership, and
• affordable, flexible business support that fits around caring responsibilities.

Support must be designed with women’s lived experience in mind, not simply added as an afterthought to mainstream programmes. Our Women in Business: Key UK Facts page sets out the latest UK statistics, while our Business Grants For Women in UK guide lists current funding options.

The gender confidence gap

In the UK, women are now more likely than men to enter higher education, yet they remain less likely to believe they have the capabilities to start a business. GEM (2024/2025) describes this as the “gender confidence gap.” In developed economies, entrepreneurship is typically opportunity-driven rather than necessity-driven, and women who have been schooled in disciplines other than entrepreneurship may question their ability to identify, assess and act on commercial opportunities.

Closing this gap requires more than generic advice. Targeted entrepreneurship education, visible role models and peer networks can all help you translate skills and qualifications into business confidence. Mentoring and networking programmes are particularly valuable, because they provide the social proof that entrepreneurship is a realistic path. See our Women in Business Networks UK: The Best Communities to Join in 2026 guide for current options.

Sector patterns and growth ambitions

GEM (2024/2025) also finds that women entrepreneurs continue to cluster in consumer-oriented sectors, such as retail, hospitality, personal services and care, while men are more likely to start capital-intensive or knowledge-based businesses in manufacturing, technology and professional services. These sector choices influence access to finance, growth potential and long-term profitability.

If the UK is to unlock the full economic contribution of women entrepreneurs, policy and finance providers must look beyond sector stereotypes. Women-led tech, engineering and green-economy ventures exist and are growing; they need investment, procurement opportunities and sector-specific support to scale.

Finance and policy in 2026

The funding landscape for women-led businesses shifted in 2026. The British Business Bank continues to target improved access to finance for women founders, while private initiatives such as the Women Backing Women Fund are deploying capital specifically for women-led businesses. For founders seeking non-dilutive funding, Innovate UK and regional growth funds offer grants and innovation loans, though competition remains intense.

On the policy side, the Rose Review recommendations remain the backbone of government strategy. Family-friendly business support, better data collection on women-led firms, and targeted procurement are all part of the mix. The Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship continues to publish progress updates.

What needs to change

Women entrepreneurs UK have made real progress, but the priorities are clear:

• Finance: Improve access to seed and growth capital, including alternative funding, grants and patient equity. Explore our Business Grants For Women in UK guidance.
• Networks: Build inclusive networks that connect women with customers, investors and mentors. Browse Women in Business Networks UK opportunities.
• Skills: Offer entrepreneurship training that is relevant to women’s sectors and career stages. See our Women in Business: Key UK Facts resources.
• Policy: Continue to implement the recommendations of the Rose Review, including family-friendly business support and better data on women-led firms.

Progress is being made, but the data reminds us that starting a business is only the first step. The next challenge is to ensure that women-led businesses survive, thrive and create jobs, both in the UK and around the world.