Women Entrepreneurs: Courage in Action
Persistent sexism, a sense of loneliness, imposter syndrome, mental load, and motherhood still seen as a risk: in 2025, women entrepreneurs continue to face multiple obstacles. Yet, their resilience is impressive. Nearly 93% of them would make the same choice again. This determination raises questions about our economy's ability to support them differently.
Impostor Syndrome and Motherhood: Two Underrated Obstacles
The imposter syndrome remains one of the main psychological barriers to entrepreneurial success. 93% of the women surveyed have experienced it, with 66% often facing it. This well-documented phenomenon involves doubting one's legitimacy or abilities, even when faced with tangible successes. « It particularly affects the most high-performing individuals, eroding their confidence in their ability to lead and market themselves, » notes Francine Savidan.
The economic consequences are measurable: 56% of the affected female leaders admit to undervaluing their prices or offerings, 45% say they do not dare to reach out to enough clients, partners, or funding sources, and 46% avoid speaking in public. This is a silent yet powerful barrier to the growth of women-led businesses.
Adding to this picture is the issue of motherhood, still seen as a professional risk by 37% of female entrepreneurs, and as a topic dependent on « the environment or interlocutors » by 46%. Yet, motherhood does not necessarily equate to a slowdown; it often comes with a strong motivation to organize time differently and rethink priority management.
Capitalizing on Resilience
Despite the persistence of these obstacles, the majority of women surveyed share the same conclusion: entrepreneurship has changed their lives. Ninety-three percent would make the same choice again. This figure alone speaks volumes about the conviction and resilience of this generation of women entrepreneurs.
For Francine Savidan, the key now is to broaden the scope of action: « Women entrepreneurs demonstrate their creativity and resilience every day. Our ambition is to remove barriers to their development, break stereotypes, and enhance their visibility. There is still a long way to go, but progress is being made."
Since 2011, the Créatrices d’Avenir program has played a central role in this support. Each year, it supports several hundred candidates, identifies inspiring role models, and rewards high-impact projects. Over fourteen editions, it has received nearly 4,900 applications, selected 220 finalists, and recognized 90 winners, with more than 60,000 euros in support, visibility, and coaching endowments.
European Resilience in Action
By the end of this 2026 edition, PwC and ULI paint a picture of a sector that, despite facing pressure, maintains its pivotal role in Europe's economic transformation. Real estate is evolving into a laboratory of adaptation: it combines financial prudence, technological innovation, and environmental demands, while incorporating new financial players.
In the short term, caution prevails. However, in the long term, leaders remain confident: European real estate is not retreating; it is reinventing itself. Less speculative and more responsible, it is becoming a central player in European competitiveness.
This content has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence. While we strive for accuracy, some nuances may differ from the original French version.
