Näringsdepartementet

Facts on women’s entrepreneurship in Sweden New enterprises: women account for 35 per cent of all new business starters Self-employment: 5 per cent of the women in the working force are self-employed Attitudes towards entrepreneurship: 3 out of 10 young women (18-30 years) would rather be self-employed than employed Sources: ITPS, Eurostat (Labour Force Surveys), Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth

Näringsdepartementet If more women were to start and run businesses it… strengthen Swedish economy and development would increase the number of women that can be recruited as board members and managing directors could lead to increased diversity in the service sector, such as health care and education, that is now partly opened up for private competition

Näringsdepartementet General actions Targeted actions How is it promoted? Lucky Look

Näringsdepartementet Abolishment of wealth tax Tax relief for household services Work in order to reduce the administrative burdens on companies with 25 percent by 2010 Strengthening the incentives to employ Some general actions

Näringsdepartementet Promoting entrepreneurship in the health care and nursing sector Increasing the maximum level of micro-loans Improving the social security system for entrepreneurs Investigating the possibility to introduce a new form of limited liability company with simpler regulation and lower equity requirements

Näringsdepartementet National programme Research Improved statistics Ambassadors for women’s enterprise Measures to increase the number of women as board members Targeted actions

Näringsdepartementet National programme to promote women’s enterprise Objective: More business starts among women and increased growth in companies run by women Budget: 100 million SEK a year, National coordinator: Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth.

Näringsdepartementet 1)Information, advice and business development 2)Actions in existing entrepreneurial programmes 3)Development of financial opportunities 4)Attitudes and role models The national programme Lucky Look

Näringsdepartementet 1. Information, advice and business development Business and innovation development measures at regional level Training of business advisers Development of internet-based services Start-up days

Näringsdepartementet Ownership-change programme National entrepreneurial programme National mentorship programme 2. Actions in existing entrepreneurial programmes

Näringsdepartementet Innovation financing Business angel networks Analysis of the government supply of capital Service innovation contest 3. Development of financial opportunities

Näringsdepartementet Making women’s enterprise more visible Promoting business women as role models Make existing actors and networks available for more business women 4. Attitudes and role models

Näringsdepartementet Role models for women’s enterprise 880 business women from all parts of Sweden, who represent a great variety of branches They are to inspire others by sharing their stories and experiences as entrepreneurs Ambassadors for women’s enterprise

Näringsdepartementet Increased knowledge about women’s enterprise Research programme 2007–2009 Improved access to sex- disaggregated company statistics Lucky Look

Näringsdepartementet Board member programme for women 200 women will be part of a mentorship programme and will be given a grant for further studies

Näringsdepartementet For more information about… … the programme: … the ambassadors: … the research: … the board member programme for women: Overall information on the government's work for women's enterprise: Contact person at the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communication Soledad Aguilar Oddershede,