We are delighted to share that Prof (Dr.) Zina Kyriakou was invited as a guest speaker for the prestigious ICSB Paris Signature Event, held in collaboration with the OECD, on the critical topic of “Removing Barriers to Entrepreneurship by Women.”
This high-profile international event brought together leading policymakers, successful women entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurship support organizations to address one of the most pressing challenges in today’s global economy: while more women are starting businesses and driving innovation worldwide, they remain significantly underrepresented among entrepreneurs. In OECD countries, women are only about 75% as likely as men to be starting or managing new businesses.
About the Event
The gathering explored actionable opportunities to unleash the untapped potential for innovation and growth-oriented entrepreneurship among women. Through panel discussions and case studies, participants examined government policies and practical solutions addressing barriers in attitudes and culture, skills development, networking, finance access, and regulatory frameworks.
Key highlights of the event included the launch of a groundbreaking new OECD and Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Policy Network (GWEP) publication on bridging the finance gap for women entrepreneurs, presentations on digital entrepreneurship opportunities, and consultations on priority areas for future research and policy development. The event aimed to transform evidence into concrete action, fostering a more gender-inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Prof Kyriakou’s participation in this significant forum reflected her expertise and commitment to advancing women’s entrepreneurship on the global stage. We congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition and the valuable insights and contributions she brought to this important conversation.
Watch the Event
For those who were unable to attend, the full event recording is available to watch on YouTube: OECD-ICSB Removing Barriers to Entrepreneurship for Women – YouTube