The past few months have been very busy and fruitful for the WEgate community. Not only have we launched the first-ever WEbarometer survey and shared stories of women entrepreneurs pivoting their businesses to survive the COVID-19 crisis, but we have also welcomed 15 new members to our WEgate Community Council.

Living by WEgate’s favourite motto that a community is as strong as its members, our new Community Council members join WEgate as co-creators and collaborators. They are reputed members of the women entrepreneurship ecosystem and women empowerment champions in their own right. By embracing WEgate’s mission and vision, they will help us to empower thousands of women entrepreneurs across Europe.

We’re excited to have them on board on this journey towards widespread women entrepreneurship.

Learn more about our brand-new Community Council members below:

• APID Female Entrepreneurship
  The APID association brings together entrepreneurs to promote the benefits of female entrepreneurship, raise awareness of corporate social responsibility among companies, and support more women in unions and governing bodies.
  The association also provides opportunities for development and training, gives feedback on similar initiatives taking place elsewhere, facilitates the creation of new businesses, fosters the creation of relevant networks, and promotes local employment initiatives, policies, and projects.
   
• Association of German Women Entrepreneurs
  Since its inception in 1954, the VdU has been active in campaigning for female entrepreneurship, more women in leadership positions, better rights for women in the workplace and a healthier combination of work and family life for both women and men. The VdU currently represents some 1800 German businesses run by women. The association is divided into 16 federal-state-level branches, and offers networking opportunities with entrepreneurs in Germany and abroad, as well as a mentoring programme for young businesswomen.
   
• Digital Leadership Institute
  The Digital Leadership Institute is a Brussels-based, international NGO and a recognised world leader in promoting greater participation of girls and women in strategic, innovative ESTEAM (Entrepreneurship & Arts powered by STEM) sectors, through four areas of activity:

1. Education and Skills Development:  Providing young and career-age women leadership, business, personal- and professional-development and ESTEAM skills through direct access to experts and tools that encourage them toward entrepreneurship and leadership in ESTEAM studies and careers.
2. Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support:  Cultivating an environment for generating the seeds of future enterprise in cutting edge ESTEAM fields for girls and women. Delivering digital, business and leadership expertise, tools, and access for girls and women to bring new discoveries and business seeds to market.
3. Advocacy and Awareness Building:  Promoting grassroots initiatives to create interest in and to provide skills to girls and women in ESTEAM, coupled with top-down advocacy to create conditions for increasing their participation and to foster female entrepreneurship and leadership in ESTEAM sectors.
4. Research and Consultancy:  Increasing knowledge, fostering better understanding of the challenges, and promoting and implementing solutions to address the under-representation of girls and women in ESTEAM sectors and leadership.  Engaging in research actions and consulting services for individuals and organisations looking to benefit from our knowledge and expertise.
    

• EBN – European Business and Innovation Centre Network
  EBN is a network of around 140 quality-certified EU|BICs (business and innovation centres) and 40 other organisations that support the development and growth of innovative entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs.
  EBN is also a community of professionals whose day-to-day work helps these businesses to grow in the most effective, efficient and sustainable way.
   
• European Centre for Women and Technology
  The European Centre for Women and Technology (ECWT) is a leading European partnership of government, business, academia and non-profit sector actors working together in 30+ countries to measurably and significantly increase the number of girls and women in STEM and Digital Transformation. Our message is the same since from our start in 2008: EVERY WOMAN DIGITAL = SMART GROWTH.ECWT focuses on five key areas:
  • attracting more girls to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), 
  • nurturing and retaining women in the Knowledge Economy through digital skills training, 
  • promoting the female talent to provide added value to technology research and innovation, 
  • supporting more female tech business start-ups through alternative financing, networking, mentoring and role models,
  • consolidating the largest European network for closing the Digital Gender Gap in Europe.
     
• European Women Association
  EWA’s (European Women Association) goal is to unite women entrepreneurs and professional organizations and create a powerful global safe community to support women in the efforts to acquire Funding, Mentors and relevant international Networks. So that women can create a positive impact worldwide. #The European Women Association focuses on creating opportunities for women worldwide, accessing new networks, knowledge and partnerships.
   
• Impulse4Women
  Built by investment experts and entrepreneurs from various industries, Impulse4Women is poised to create a game-changing investment marketplace for investors in the technology sector. The ambitious goal of non-profit association’s founding members and its board is to foster investments in technology businesses that aim to leverage this economic value as gender diversity will lead to superior investment performance.
  In addition to matchmaking investors with women technology entrepreneurs, Impulse4Women explores and applies strategies on how to challenge institutional and societal barriers-to-entry for women in tech and how to tackle under-representation. Impulse4Women is also leveraging the power of female network effects, allowing the correlation between gender diversity in senior teams and higher returns on equity in corporations, investment firms, and startups to take effect.
   
• Led By HER
  Founded in 2014, Led By HER is the first organization in France to help women victims of violence to rebuild their lives through entrepreneurship.
  Led By HER is opposed to any form of inequality and violence against women and supports women in their professional projects by raising awareness of the consequences of violence. Led By HER’s mission is to give these women the training, tools and support they need, and to rally a large community around them so they can get out of social exclusion, help them out of isolation and contribute to their financial emancipation.
   
• Romanian National Confederation for Female Entrepreneurs
  The Romanian National Confederation for Female Entrepreneurs (CONAF) has joined forces to develop and promote female entrepreneurial culture in Romania. CONAF has the energy, the openness and the competence to develop partnerships and collaborations with the international professional and employers’ organizations. CONAF wants to create a plan of actions aimed at promoting, defending the economic, social, financial, legal and cultural rights and interests of business women in their relations with central and local public authorities, trade unions or other non-governmental organizations that have responsibilities delegated or assumed in any of the fields of interest to members of the Confederation, as well as in relations with other bodies and bodies in the country and abroad. CONAF’s objectives are: Promoting Romania’s economic interests; Promoting and protecting the interests of entrepreneurs at local, regional, national and international level; Create a consolidated image of CONAF and increase the visibility of the organization; Active involvement of the business environment in social dialogue committees at national and international level; Supports the development of service promotion and specialized assistance for exporters; Improve the legislative framework to stimulate growth: crafts, export, freelancers; Strategic partnerships with other confederations; Construction of public private partnerships.
   
• SMEunited
  SMEunited, formally known as UEAPME, is the association of crafts and SMEs in Europe with around 70 member organisations from over 30 European countries. SMEunited is a recognised employers’ organisation and European Social Partner and acts on behalf of crafts and SMEs in the European Social Dialogue and in discussions with the EU institutions. SMEunited’s mission is shaping Europe for SMEs and shaping SMEs for Europe. SMEunited acts to create an SME friendly climate in the European Union in which SMEs can thrive. SMEunited builds capacity with SMEunited’s member organisations and entrepreneurs across Europe, so that SMEs benefit from the opportunities offered by the European Union.
  The main objectives include:
  • Monitoring the EU policy and legislative process and keeping our members informed on all matters of European Union policy of relevance to crafts and SMEs; 
  • Representing and promoting the interests of Crafts & SMEs to the EU institutions and other international organisations; 
  • Supporting the members academically, technically and legally on all areas of EU policy; 
  • Supporting the idea of European integration and contributing to European co-operation.
     
• Women entrepreneurship group of the Enterprise Europe Network
  The Enterprise Europe Network helps businesses innovate and grow on an international scale. It is the world’s largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with international ambitions. The Network is active in more than 60 countries worldwide. It brings together 3,000 experts from more than 600 member organizations – all renowned for their excellence in business support. Member organizations include Technology poles; Innovation support organizations; Universities and research institutes; Regional development organizations; Chambers of commerce and industry.
  A Sector Group is a group of EEN partners who works together to meet the needs of clients operating in a particular sector. The mission of Sector Group Women Entrepreneurship is to enhance cooperation within the field of women entrepreneurship and service areas of the Network. The goal is to provide companies with services that have a European added value.
   
• Women Entrepreneurship Platform
  The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) is the European network association representing, promoting, and supporting women entrepreneurs across Europe. Registered since 2015 as a non-profit organisation based in Brussels, WEP is the Secretariat of the European Parliament’s Interest Group on Women Entrepreneurs.
  WEP aims to be a driving force ensuring that by 2030, women make up 50 per cent entrepreneurs in Europe, allowing for a more inclusive society and sustainable economy. WEP wants a more inclusive and sustainable policy and economic environment in Europe, encouraging and inspiring 5 million women entrepreneurs to start and own their own business by 2030. 
  WEP represents and endorses the interests of its members on the EU scene and promote and create a non-stop dialogue with women entrepreneur organizations, all sector and industry organisations, and EU institutions. Likewise, WEP seeks to break down the barriers to entrepreneurship for women and ensure a supportive ecosystem for female entrepreneurs by advocating for measures to promote and improve access to finance, education, innovation, government policies, and networks. These form WEP’s five Pillars for growth. WEP supports greater participation by women in our society by opening new opportunities for female employment.
   
• Women’s Enterprise Scotland
  Women’s Enterprise Scotland (WES) is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company based in Scotland with a global reach. A catalyst for economic growth and inclusion, WES works to create an environment where women can start up in business and thrive. The simple fact is that more women-owned businesses in Scotland means more money for the economy. Yet women-owned businesses are just 20% of the business base in Scotland. We believe we can encourage more women and girls to try out their business ideas, through the provision of support co-designed by women-owned businesses and experts in gender techniques, consigning the current gender gap in enterprise to history. Along with our role model Ambassadors, we inspire women to start – and then to grow – their own businesses. We provide training to create and activate business ideas, to develop leadership skills and to power business growth. In parliament we advocate alongside women-owned businesses for gender specific business support and share our research findings with government. And we champion women’s enterprise in the media, in Scottish society, and through our international appointments and networks. 
  Alongside our partners, Women’s Enterprise Scotland aims to equip women-owned businesses for success, developing talents, nurturing ideas, creating networks and further boosting the Scottish economy. Along with our role model Ambassadors, we inspire women to start – and then to grow – their own businesses. We provide training to create and activate business ideas, to develop leadership skills and to power business growth. In parliament, we advocate alongside women-owned businesses for gender-specific business support and share our research findings with the government. And we champion women’s enterprise in the media, in Scottish society, and through our international appointments and networks. Alongside our partners, Women’s Enterprise Scotland aims to equip women-owned businesses for success, developing talents, nurturing ideas, creating networks and further boosting the Scottish economy.
   
• Women’s Business Initiative International
  The Women’s Business Initiative International (WBII) is a leading and dynamic association, whose participants believe in the impact of empowering women entrepreneurs, and actively support them to develop flourishing and sustainable businesses. Mission: WBII is a community of entrepreneurial women. Through active collaboration, the members create a professional platform for promotion and a dynamic network for the exchange of knowledge. The initiative is designed to meet diverse business needs.
  Founded in 2006, the main purpose of the WBII is to connect, inspire, and support female entrepreneurs in growing their business. WBII exists by and for members, and it is through the members’ contributions that the WBII is able to thrive. Membership fees help open the door and allow the WBII to exist, and for that, we are all thankful. The pro-activeness of our members enriches and enhances the value of the network.
   
• Young Entrepreneurs Organisation of the European Union
  The Young Entrepreneurs Organization of the European Union – JEUNE was launched in 1994, having the headquarters in Brussels. JEUNE represents over 1,660,000 young people interested in entrepreneurship from 15 countries. JEUNE is interested in developing activities in order to make sure that the voice of young entrepreneurs from Europe is heard in the dialogue that we are permanently developing with the main European institutions. JEUNE activities are focused on promotion of entrepreneurship, lobby initiatives for programs dedicated to young people, networking events, trainings for young entrepreneurs, partnerships with European institutions aiming to create a permanent dialogue for the development of policies and programs dedicated to young entrepreneurs, business incubation.