Digital female entrepreneurship for social and economic development: characteristics and barriers in Spain

This study focuses on a particular type of entrepreneurship. Digital entrepreneurship initiated by women. This type of business creation is of particular interest because of its high impact on economic development and the dynamization of developed economies, in many cases with relevant social orientation. Here it is especially relevant to find parity between men and women when it comes to entrepreneurship, since otherwise, inclusive development would not be achieved, nor would all the entrepreneurial potential of a society be exploited. After a description of the particular characteristics of both, digital and female entrepreneurship, we review the barriers that commonly face each of them. Through an empirical study, which compiled the responses of 161 digital entrepreneurs in Spain, we proceed to contrast the identified barriers in the literature with the business reality. The difficulties commonly faced by digital entrepreneurs can be confirmed, as well as those faced by women, in terms of difficulties in finding financing. However, other barriers, such as the role of women in the family, seem to have less relevance in this type of enterprises. Finally, general conclusions are offered, in which the points of action for possible policies to promote female digital entrepreneurship are highlighted.