News

Training critical to women's enterprise increase says GEM

LDA sets out vision for women's enterprise growth in London

Childcare costs soar to 1/3 of average earnings

Launch of EU Women inventors and innovators network

First UK postgrad course for women in family-owned firms

North West writes 'Flagship Award' into business support start-up contract

Pioneering investment fund targets women entrepreneurs in Dubai

Northern Way champions women's enterprise

Prowess members have the entrepreneurial edge

Prowess Blog Goes Live

Prowess member's news

Would you lend 10 pounds up to £20,000 to help women in Tanzania start businesses and improve their family’s lives?

Girls! Make Your Mark - new young enterprise initiative

New women's business advice clinic for East of England

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'Innovation in Women's Enterprise' - Prowess Study Tour to San Francisco, June 2007

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News

Training critical to women's enterprise increase says GEM Enterprise training and subsequent entrepreneurial activity are more positively associated for women than men according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2006. GEM, the largest annual survey of entrepreneurial activity in the UK shows that women who have taken some form of enterprise training are more than twice as likely as those who haven't to be planning to start a business. The report indicates that government or public sector programmes specifically have a significant impact on female entrepreneurial attitudes.

GEM 2006 includes more in-depth gender analysis than ever before, other significant findings include: the gender gap amongst black (Caribbean and African) groups is at its most narrow (11.7 TEA for men and 11.5 TEA for women), in terms of age the gender gap is widest amongst the youngest group (18 - 24) and the oldest (55 - 64). In all G8 countries over the past five years female entrepreneurial activity has dropped except for in the UK and Japan. However women's enterprise in the UK remains at half the level of male enterprise, with a particularly wide gap for established businesses compared with early-stage businesses, indicating a need to focus on the sustainability of women's businesses. Download 'GEM UK 2006 Entrepreneurship: Setting the Development Agenda' at: http://www.gemconsortium.org/

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LDA sets out vision for women's enterprise growth in London The London Development Agency (LDA) has pledged to develop a strong network of Prowess Flagship accredited organisations across London in its new report 'The London Women's Enterprise Action Plan 2007 - 2010'. The action plan also priorities private and public sector procurement as a means to promote the growth of women owned businesses. The report also calls for more data collation regarding Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) female owned companies and an increase in the relevance, quality and consistency of support for these groups. For copies contact Saab Pahal at: SaabPahal@lda.gov.uk

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Childcare costs soar to 1/3 of average earnings Childcare costs for pre-school children continue to rise above the rate of inflation according to the' Sixth Annual Childcare Costs Survey' from the Daycare Trust. The highest childcare costs were found in London and the Southeast where typical costs are almost £21,000 a year. Alison Garnham, Joint CEO of the Daycare Trust said "With typical childcare costs rising to over a third of average earnings, parents cannot afford to bear the burden of increasing costs alone, funding needs to be improved further so that all children have access to high quality, affordable and accessible childcare". A lack of affordable childcare is regularly reported to be one of the main obstacles for women seeking self-employment. http://www.daycaretrust.org.uk/article.php?sid=292

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Launch of EU Women inventors and innovators network Inventive and innovative women across Europe will receive additional support following the launch of the European Union Women Inventors and Innovators Network (EUWIIN) in Brussels. The new body will advise women on areas such as intellectual property rights, access to finance, trade equity and commercialisation. It also aims to standardise procedures across the EU regarding intellectual property rights and to bring together key stakeholders to improve the environment for innovative women. For more information and updates visit: http://www.euwiin.eu/

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First UK postgrad course for women in family-owned firms A groundbreaking 'Innovation Management' postgraduate certificate has been launched by Glasgow Caledonian University aimed specifically at women working in family-owned companies. Renee Reid, Director of the Caledonian Family Business Centre who designed the course says "some women find when they join the family business they are not taken seriously by their male counterparts at senior level, often being seen as merely their father's daughter. This can affect the equilibrium of the senior management team". For more information see: http://www.familybusinesscentre.com/news_021106.html

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North West writes 'Flagship Award' into business support start-up contractThe North West Development Agency (NWDA) has announced that their new business support start-up contract will require all consortium/contractors to have the Prowess Flagship Award or ‘Commitment to Flagship’. The NWDA is the second Regional Development Agency (RDA) to stipulate that business support organisations in their region must have this female-friendly quality mark. Advantage West Midlands wrote the requirement into their contracts last year. For details of the Prowess Flagship programme for excellence in women's enterprise development see: http://www.prowess.org.uk/FlagshipAwardPage.htm

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Pioneering investment fund targets women entrepreneurs in Dubai An exclusive investment fund for women investors and entrepreneurs has been launched by Dubai World on behalf of the Dubai Government. The new company 'Forsa' - meaning 'Opportunity' aims to attract female investors and partner them with female entrepreneurs. The new model will focus on profitable and scalable pre-packaged franchise ideas that will deliver superior returns. For more information visit: http://www.dubaiworld.ae/Media%20Center/News/17_jan_07_12_39.html

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Northern Way champions women's enterprise The three northern way Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) have commissioned a promotional campaign to encourage more women into business and to ensure women are aware of the support available in the region. A series of promotional events will take place throughout March organised by the creative agency, The bgroup. The bgroup will also develop an online women's enterprise hub to exchange information across the regions. To get involved contact Diane Gates or Ruth Currie at The bgroup on 0191 261 1333 or email diane@thebgroup.co.uk or ruth@thebgroup.co.uk

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Prowess members have the entrepreneurial edge In an increasingly difficult public funding environment more and more Prowess members are flexing their entrepreneurial muscle. The majority of members have significantly increased their share of commercial income sources according to the 2006 Prowess Members Survey. In 2004 public sector income compised 78% of members' income, it now comprises just 64%. Members with the lowest amount of public sector funding are the most optimistic about their sustainability. The Glass Ceiling appears to exist within the women’s enterprise support sector as much as it does in other business sectors. Women-led providers of enterprise support share the characteristics of women-owned businesses in general, in that they are younger and smaller and less optimistic about growth prospects. Membership has grown by 60% since 2004 and the impact on business has increased too. Each year Prowess members support 108,000 women to start and grow businesses and support the launch of 16,000 women-owned businesses.To order copies of the full market intelligence The State of the Women’s Enterprise Support Sector 2006’ contact Kati at: admin@prowess.org.uk

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Prowess Blog Goes Live Prowess’s policy blog is live and, just about, kicking. It aims to highlight women’s enterprise policy developments and issues – with a smattering of humour where appropriate - and we’d welcome all contributions and feedback. You can submit comments without identifying yourself so it’s a good way of letting off steam (within reason)! If you’d like a link to your organisation’s website on the blog front page, please email Jackie at j.brierton@prowess.org.uk. Visit the blog at www.prowessblog.com

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Your Ethical Business is a unique new 'how to' handbook covering everything you need to know about starting and succeeding in an ethical enterprise. Packed with real life success stories, advice and top tips to make your business socially and environmentally responsible.

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Your Ethical Business provides practical information and inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs who really want to make a difference. Buy online now for £10, with free postage and packing at www.yourethicalbusiness.co.uk

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