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Drive for more women to launch SMEs

Published On 13 February 2007 at 09:57:30

Women will be encouraged to found their own SME under the guidance of 1,000 inspirational female entrepreneurs.

Industry and regions minister Margaret Hodge has announced plans to recruit a "national network of women helping women", designed to inspire more women to launch their own SME.

The mentors will be recruited by Regional Development Agencies (RDA) with advice from Enterprise Insight and the Task Force for Women's Enterprise will also be involved in the scheme.

The initiative hopes to inspire women at key stages of their lives, including at the beginning of the career, new mothers, those considering a change of career and empty nesters.

They will work in communities, through education and in specific industries.

Launching the initiative at a conference on women's enterprise, organised by Prowess, Ms Hodge said: "We can't afford not to do this.

"There would be three quarters of a million more businesses in the UK if we matched US levels of female entrepreneurship.

"Successful women throughout the country can and must mentor and inspire many more women to think: 'yes I can do that' and take the confident plunge to start their own business.

"This will lead to a new women's movement that will push back gender barriers and give women the confidence and support they need to start a business."

Kevin Steele chief executive of Enterprise Insight and the Make Your Mark campaign added: "We are looking forward to working with the RDAs to advise on their recruitment of this country-wide network of inspirational business women.

"These ambassadors for women's enterprise will help generate more self-belief among women to start a business and provide the culture change needed to boost the rates of entrepreneurship in the UK."

At the conference, Ms Hodge also announced plans to launch a support programme for women who have graduated in the past ten years to start their own small business.

 

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