Women Entrepreneurs for STEM

The objective of the project is to develop new and lasting international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaborations in the research field of entrepreneurial education. The scientific goal is to create an evidence-based outreach intervention that (1) identifies potential candidates for entrepreneurship from among European female graduates and postgraduates in STEM fields, (2) strengthens their entrepreneurial intention and (3) points them to digital entrepreneurial education based on their personal profile. Entrepreneurship drives economic growth, job creation and innovation. In the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan, the European Commission outlines the importance of strengthening Europe’s entrepreneurial potential. However, despite a range of actions entrepreneurial intentions are low in more developed economies. This is especially true for women in STEM fields, and it is particularly true for female students. Although the underrepresentation of women entrepreneurs is determined by socio-cultural and economic factors, studies show that entrepreneurship education can have a positive influence on the development of entrepreneurial intention. However, little research has been conducted to design evidence-based interventions. It is the aim of the proposal to create an evidence-based intervention that identifies candidates for entrepreneurship from among European female graduates and postgraduates within STEM, strengthens their entrepreneurial intention and points them to digital entrepreneurial education. Using data analysis, machine learning tools and Educational Technology we contribute to improving the profile matching that connects female graduates and postgraduates within STEM to entrepreneurship and uses algorithms to match between learner profile and intervention. We believe the intervention can significantly contribute to improving European economic competitiveness, strengthening human capital, and promoting gender equality within STEM entrepreneurship.