Nathalie Cervantes Guzmán

Incentive Women Entrepreneurship in Bio&MedTech

https://youtu.be/eY6_RIaRR2A 

This PhD thesis investigates the persistent underrepresentation of women entrepreneurs in the Bio&MedTech sector, a field recognized for its rapid growth and critical contributions to economic development. The research in the field of study of entrepreneurship and Bio&MedTech is organized into three interrelated studies, each contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing women's entrepreneurial intentions and the barriers they encounter. These studies, when considered together, provide a robust intellectual framework that advances the discourse on gender equality in Bio&MedTech entrepreneurship.

The first study investigates the entrepreneurial mindset of women in the Bio&MedTech sector, drawing from a bibliometric analysis to identify the psychological and external factors that shape their entrepreneurial intentions. The research integrates internal motivations, such as mindset, with external support structures, including societal norms, resources, and mentorship, to offer fresh insights into the challenges and opportunities women face in this field. This study highlights the impact of a male-dominated culture and the lack of gender diversity in leadership roles as significant barriers to women's participation in decision-making. By addressing these challenges and emphasizing the importance of financial resources, networking, and role models, the study fills critical gaps in the literature. This topic remains underexplored in current academic databases, particularly in relation to women’s entrepreneurship in Bio&MedTech. The study provides actionable recommendations including targeted funding initiatives, inclusive leadership development, regulatory streamlining, and structured mentorship and networking programs to enhance gender diversity and foster innovation in Bio&MedTech entrepreneurship (Brush et al., 2019; Gilding et al., 2020; Treanor, 2022; Panda, 2018; Antoniou et al., 2019; Welter et al., 2020).

The second study employs a quantitative approach to provide empirical evidence on the entrepreneurial intentions of women in the Bio&MedTech sector, focusing on the factors that enhance or inhibit these intentions through the lens of entrepreneurial orientation (EO). By conducting a survey of female researchers, the research identifies critical EO factors that significantly influence entrepreneurial intentions. The findings reveal those systemic barriers, including limited access to venture capital, insufficient supportive networks, and entrenched socio-cultural norms, hinder women’s entrepreneurial aspirations in this field. This research contributes to the understanding of the distinct challenges faced by women in Bio&MedTech and underscores the importance of integrating EO with tailored support mechanisms, such as mentorship and networking opportunities, to foster a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem success (Hmieleski & Sheppard, 2019). 

The third study adopts a qualitative research design to explore the factors employed by successful women entrepreneurs to navigate the challenges identified in the previous studies. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with women entrepreneurs from diverse geographical regions, the study grounded in the individual-opportunity nexus framework, examines how these individuals achieve work-life balance, develop resilience, and leverage mentorship and networking to sustain their ventures. Thematic analysis of the interview data highlights the importance of emotional intelligence, resilience, and the strategic use of mentorship in overcoming barriers to success in the Bio&MedTech industry (OECD, 2018). This study provides practical insights into how women can be better supported through targeted initiatives that enhance their entrepreneurial capabilities and facilitate work- life integration. To support women entrepreneurs in Bio&MedTech, the study identifies several potential strategies drawn from both the literature and qualitative interviews. These include gender-specific funding programs, mentorship networks, and accelerator initiatives that offer business and regulatory guidance. Flexible funding mechanisms, childcare support, and remote work options may contribute to work-life balance. Additionally, government incentives such as tax breaks and regulatory streamlining could enhance access for women-led startups. While these suggestions offer valuable insights, they should be interpreted within the study’s context and the scope of empirical evidence presented.

The three studies are closely interconnected, each contributing to a comprehensive understanding of women’s entrepreneurship in Bio&MedTech. Study 1 provides the foundational knowledge by identifying the main factors driving women’s entrepreneurial intentions through a systematic literature review. Study 2 builds on this by quantitatively analysing the impact of entrepreneurial orientation factors and the barriers women face, offering empirical evidence of the challenges highlighted in Study 1. Finally, Study 3 adds a qualitative perspective, exploring the real-life factors women entrepreneurs use to navigate these challenges. Together, these studies present a significant and original contribution to the field by integrating theoretical insights, empirical data, and practical strategies, thereby offering a holistic approach to addressing the gender gap in Bio&MedTech entrepreneurship (Mantler, 2017; Krueger et al., 2000; Tommaso et al., 2023; El Chaarani & Raimi, 2022).

This thesis makes a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of women’s entrepreneurship in the Bio&MedTech sector within the broader disciplines of entrepreneurship and innovation studies by offering evidence-based recommendations for policy makers, educators, and industry stakeholders. These recommendations include the development of mentorship programs, the creation of supportive networks, and the implementation of policies that promote gender equality and inclusivity in the Bio&MedTech sector. By addressing the gender gap in this critical industry, the research contributes to the broader goal of fostering innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable growth in the Bio&MedTech sector.