Charlotte Windebank

Gender and Entrepreneurship North East (GENE) is a collaborative space which provides a regional place, space and voice for knowledge of gender (and other categories of social difference) within entrepreneurship to be harnessed and created to enable social change. Whilst GENE is regionally rooted, knowledge is nationally connected with a global reach. GENE is for researchers (academic and non-academic), educators (school and beyond), policy makers and practitioners (entrepreneurs, business supporters and advisors) with a stake and interest in entrepreneurship in the North East of England. Through the collaborative collation of data and evidence focused on issues of gender and other categories of social difference in entrepreneurship, GENE will provide a regional identity to: i) educate through awareness raising initiatives; ii) drive policy change to foster more inclusive practices in entrepreneurship to enable greater regional equity for those engaging in entrepreneurship. Creating a regional hub of stakeholders to develop a powerful database from which to generate data specific to issues of gender and categories of social difference for entrepreneurship. From recent research by Newcastle University, women led businesses comprise 21.3% of the North East business population a figure which has sparsely altered in the last decade. 40.2% of women led businesses in the North East cite obtaining access to finance as the major obstacle to success in their business. This is significantly higher than the national figure of 26.5% and greater still than the figure of men led businesses in the North East of 22%. Much research has focused on what women can do to improve this which has done little to revise this figure more positively, therefore GENE aim to focus at the meso and ultimately macro level of structural change.

Gender and Entrepreneurship North East (GENE) is a collaborative space which provides a regional place, space and voice for knowledge of gender (and other categories of social difference) within entrepreneurship to be harnessed and created to enable social change. Whilst GENE is regionally rooted, knowledge is nationally connected with a global reach. GENE is for researchers (academic and non-academic), educators (school and beyond), policy makers and practitioners (entrepreneurs, business supporters and advisors) with a stake and interest in entrepreneurship in the North East of England. Through the collaborative collation of data and evidence focused on issues of gender and other categories of social difference in entrepreneurship, GENE will provide a regional identity to: i) educate through awareness raising initiatives; ii) drive policy change to foster more inclusive practices in entrepreneurship to enable greater regional equity for those engaging in entrepreneurship. Creating a regional hub of stakeholders to develop a powerful database from which to generate data specific to issues of gender and categories of social difference for entrepreneurship. From recent research by Newcastle University, women led businesses comprise 21.3% of the North East business population a figure which has sparsely altered in the last decade. 40.2% of women led businesses in the North East cite obtaining access to finance as the major obstacle to success in their business. This is significantly higher than the national figure of 26.5% and greater still than the figure of men led businesses in the North East of 22%. Much research has focused on what women can do to improve this which has done little to revise this figure more positively, therefore GENE aim to focus at the meso and ultimately macro level of structural change.

Startup Awards North East shines a spotlight, celebrates, and connects ambitious, early stage founders to life changing opportunities and experiences. Whether you want to SkillUP to explore ideas and opportunities, are looking for resources to StartUP, or want to take action to ScaleUP now is the time to connect with businesses and professionals in the North East ecosystem. Startup Awards North East is supported by our industry partners who all have a passion for regional economic growth, supporting startup companies and demonstrating corporate social responsibility in action. Whether you are a startup or an industry expert if you would like to partner with us, #passioncomesFIRST please take the FIRST step to find out more information https://www.youarefirst.co.uk/startup-awards-north-east

FIRST is an accredited learning and development agency providing communities with practical enterprise and entrepreneurial experiences to develop leadership and progression skills. Serving government, universities and housing associations and unlike traditional training providers, FIRST responds to high unemployment and low business startup rates by empowering individuals to explore opportunities within employment and entrepreneurship, resulting in 95% of learners with a positive destination on course completion.