Why We Need More Female Entrepreneurs in Switzerland

Posted on September 20, 2025September 22, 2025 by Angie Weinberger

Angela Weinberger - Female Entrepreneur in Switzerland since 2010 — Angela Weinberger – Female Entrepreneur in Switzerland since 2010

When I left my 15-year corporate career to start my own business, I didn’t have a clear roadmap. What I had was courage — and a deep desire to create a positive impact in the world of global mobility and leadership. I know what it means to feel overwhelmed, uncertain, and yet drawn to build something that is yours. That is why today I want to speak directly to you — the women standing at the threshold of entrepreneurship. Switzerland needs more of us. And we need each other.

Before I dive into this I want to say: I like men and I know a lot of wonderful men who would qualify to deliver all the same values and principles as women BUT the struggle of women (especially of those with a refugee background and those who migrated here for love) is a often defined by gender and traditional gender expectations that men will.not.face in this country. That’s why this post is leaning towards gender related competencies, which traditionally are more ascribed to women (such as being more inclusive, more collaborative, more sustainable, less waste-ful and less domineering).

Please challenge me on this if you have other data!

The Numbers: Where We Stand

Let’s begin with the facts:

As of Q2 2024, women account for about 41% of entrepreneurs in Switzerland (sole proprietors or business owners).
Women represent around 47% of early-stage entrepreneurial activity — showing that nearly half of those dreaming, preparing, and starting are women.
Yet, only 7.2% of the female resident population are entrepreneurs, compared to 10.5% of men.
In 2022, nearly 38% of new enterprises were started by women — that’s 17,724 women-founded businesses out of 46,987 total.

But here’s the catch: survival (of the business)

Approximately 72–74% of new businesses in Switzerland survive the first two years. If we apply this to women-founded firms, roughly 12,800–13,100 of those 17,724 women-led businesses are still standing after two years.
Beyond two years, survival becomes tougher — and while Switzerland does not publish gender-disaggregated survival rates, international evidence suggests that access to capital, networks, and sector focus all shape whether women-led businesses scale or stagnate.

Research and Experience Show

Women are showing up — but still not at equal rates with men.
Many women-founded businesses don’t yet achieve sustained growth beyond the early years.
We can take an estimated guess that survival rates are higher than for male entrepreneurial ventures.
Women start companies in the service sectors and often work in spaces where they are still underpaid, but at least they are getting paid or can manage to sustain their living.

Endless Waiting: S-Permit Holders in the Limbo of Permanent Temporariness

Why This Matters

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about independence. It’s about shaping the economy, creating jobs, and influencing the future of work.

Diversity drives innovation. Research shows that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones — and female founders bring new perspectives, industries, and problem-solving approaches.
Economic resilience. More women entrepreneurs mean stronger communities, more sustainable businesses, and more inclusive growth.
Role models for the next generation. When girls see women leading businesses, they believe they can do it too.
Military and Zünfte* determine networks in traditionally Swiss companies. It’s hard enough to have a career, but without a supportive professional network and hidden walls (not glass ceilings), entering the Swiss corporate world can feel next to impossible.

If Switzerland wants to remain competitive, inclusive, and innovative, we cannot afford to leave half of our potential entrepreneurs underrepresented.

My Story: From Corporate to Courage

I know what it means to leap.

I spent 15 years in a successful corporate career in HR and Global Mobility. On paper, everything looked perfect. Inside, something was missing. I had gone through challenges as the daughter of moving away from home early in life, navigated a divorce, and experienced loneliness. Yet those same struggles gave me resilience, empathy, and the ability to see possibilities where others saw obstacles.

In 2010, I started blogging at Global People Transitions and co-founded the company. In 2012, I took over the lead and have been the Managing Director and primary shareholder ever since.

I wanted to help leaders, expats, and professionals find their place and thrive in transitions. It wasn’t easy. There were times I doubted myself, times when the numbers didn’t add up, times when I felt like giving up. But step by step, my coaching approach grew into a recognized methodology.

Today, I run leadership retreats in the Swiss Alps, mentor other coaches, and have been recognized with nominations and awards — including being a Top 3 Public Choice Awardee for the Empowering Women Award.

What I learned is this:

You don’t have to do everything alone.
You don’t need to be perfect before you start.
You need to be persistent, patient, and pragmatic.

The Barriers We Face

Women in Switzerland — like elsewhere — face structural and personal barriers to entrepreneurship:

Access to capital. Female founders receive less venture capital and growth funding.
Networks. Men often have broader business networks, giving them easier access to investors, mentors, and clients. (The old-boys club here has been male traditionally, as they mainly stem from the Swiss military and the “Zünfte”.)
Societal expectations. Many women juggle caregiving responsibilities and face cultural norms that still lean toward outdated and traditional gender roles.
Confidence gap. Even highly qualified women sometimes hesitate to leap, fearing failure or self-doubt.

These barriers are real — but they are not insurmountable.

The Opportunities Ahead

Switzerland is waking up to the importance of female entrepreneurship. Support ecosystems are growing:

Accelerators and incubators (ask me for details)
Mentorship networks (ask me for more information)
Government support programs for SMEs and startups.
A new generation of angel investors is actively seeking to back women-led ventures.

The opportunities are there — but they need us to step forward and claim them.

Lessons from the Journey

Here’s what I want every aspiring woman entrepreneur to know:

Start before you’re ready. You will never have 100% certainty.
Build your support system. Find mentors, coaches, and peers who support and uplift you.
Use your unique story. Your background, your struggles, your perspective — they are your superpowers.
Think beyond survival. Don’t just aim to keep your business alive; design it to grow, scale, and thrive.
Give yourself compassion. Entrepreneurship is not a straight line. There will be failures — and they will teach you as much as your successes.

15 Lessons Learned from 15 Years of Expat Coaching

A Vision for the Future

Imagine a Switzerland where women start half of all new companies — and where women-led firms not only survive but thrive. Imagine more women designing tech solutions, leading sustainable businesses, and shaping the way we work and live.

This is not just wishful thinking. It’s possible — if more of us dare to take a stand.

Conclusion: Your Turn

I want to end with this:

You don’t need permission. You don’t need to wait for the perfect idea, the perfect partner, or the perfect timing.

Switzerland needs your voice, your creativity, your leadership.

If I — once an intelligent teenager with PTSD, stage fright, Cinderella complex, and body negativity — could build a business from the ground up, then so can you.

The future of entrepreneurship in Switzerland is female. Let’s build it together.

We are actively sourcing brand partners across the world right now. If you want in, please email angela@globalpeopletransitions.com for more details.

More about the Guilds:

Zünfte*