Being an Entrepreneur in the 21st Century - Women Entrepreneurs in Turkey

Human beings take the first step for a sustainable entrepreneurship from the moment they come into the world. Every idea continues to exist and survive in its intrinsic value. With the 21st century world economy, the productivity of ideas has increased, and with the new era, developments are being made towards a valuable improvement of the ecosystem we are in. With today's understanding of the age and the renewed and structured digital order, needs and problems are increasing with the change of both individuals and societies in economic, social and psychological terms. The concept of entrepreneurship increases in value in this hierarchy of needs. It continues its activities as a production segment.

An entrepreneur is a person who strives to beautify the world in which he/she lives by combining his/her own values with the problems that society needs by creating products, services and adopting the basic value of utilitarianism as a principle, and who puts forward a new value and innovation. In the 21st century, entrepreneur candidates must adapt to the innovations brought by the digital age and proceed proactively.

Entrepreneurs are valuable representative leaders of the world. Entrepreneurs who are supported in our society encourage both institutions and people who will enter the entrepreneurial digital world as an example. In Turkey, especially women entrepreneurs continue to receive support both financially and educationally. Let's examine the support from institutions to entrepreneurs.

Trendyol supported the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey by providing entrepreneurship and e-commerce trainings within the scope of the Future of Women project. With these trainings, the number of women entrepreneurs who grew their businesses and took steps towards establishing their own businesses increased.

Halkbank provided 15.1 billion financial support to 132 thousand women entrepreneurs in Turkey.

The prejudices brought about by women's identity in Turkey, the disproportionate use of competition only for men, and the fact that women entrepreneurs do not receive both economic and educational support cause the disappearance of valuable ideas that will develop and improve our country, and the lack of women's employment. The visual below clearly explains this situation.

Koç Holding supported women entrepreneurs in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program and KWORKS. Some findings about women entrepreneurs were shared.

- Women-led startups received only 2.3% of venture capital in 2020.

- Women are 48% more likely to cite a lack of networking and connections in accessing venture capital.

- Women-led startups generate more than twice as much revenue per dollar invested than men.

- Startups with a female founder have 2.5 times more women on their staff. This means more women have access to job opportunities.