“Entrepreneurial Herstory” aimed at breaking down barriers to entrepreneurship for women in underrepresented communities and other minority groups, tapping into the creativity and potential of every individual, particularly in urban areas. Urban areas, with their growing populations, are hubs of diversity and innovation functioning as innovation labs for unconventional entrepreneurial initiatives. The project employed a methodology focused on addressing societal challenges, turning them into opportunities for entrepreneurial growth, and creating educational material based on the personal stories of women who persisted and managed to turn these obstacles into success. The project also highlighted the importance of positive representation for LGBTQIA+ women, people of color, migrants, refugees, and PwD, showcasing the great power of role models in inspiring others who share similar experiences, as also supported by the findings of the preliminary research conducted at the proposal stage. Special attention was given to unconventional entrepreneurship, emphasizing how this type of venturing is independent from traditional methods of planning, launching, and growing a business.
The project was conceived in response to the underrepresentation of disadvantaged social groups in the field of entrepreneurship, especially of (aspiring) women entrepreneurs from marginalized communities, such as migrants, refugees, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and PwD, who face barriers in skills, finance, networks, and institutional support. Preliminary research at the proposal stage highlighted the need for adopting an intersectional approach to entrepreneurship education to combat stereotypes and discrimination in the field. Despite improvements in societal perceptions of entrepreneurship, gaps in resources and acknowledgement of male-gendered biases persisted across partner countries. Women entrepreneurs – especially those with intersectional identities – were underrepresented in business ownership, lacking representation and explicit support, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The project aimed to highlight the multiplicity of struggles faced by minority and women entrepreneurs, offer inclusive tools and educational resources to address their needs, and foster an unconventional entrepreneurship education model addressed to the youth, capable of advancing inclusion, diversity, and empowerment.