Women, innovation, entrepreneurship : essays on designing and improving education

Abstract

Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneur are not gender-neutral concepts.[1] In the United States, men are twice as likely to be involved in entrepreneurship than women. Women have founded or led only 11% of venture capital backed US firms. Moreover, women-led firms have received only 7% of venture capital.[2] Clearly, there is a serious dearth of women in entrepreneurship. Research has shown that education can have an impact on gender segregation of aspirations, and that it acts as a barrier for women to move into historically male-dominated roles with higher earning potential. In higher education, gender segregation results in a variety of disciplines including entrepreneurship.[3] In this thesis, we examine the problem and recommend solutions to improve entrepreneurship and innovation education and entrepreneurial opportunities for women. We look at Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) programs focused on increasing participation of women in STEM and map them to entrepreneurship. Furthermore, we discuss the programs and resources available to women entrepreneurs. We recommend designing new programs and investing in resources for women innovators and entrepreneurs.