The landscape of women entrepreneurs in LATAM 2025
Discover how women entrepreneurs in LATAM are breaking barriers and leading the future. Despite the gender gap, their impact on the business ecosystem continues to grow with inspiring stories and increasing opportunities.
In Latin America, female entrepreneurship continues to gain strength, demonstrating that women play a key role in the region's economic and social development. Despite challenges, advances in leadership and female participation in business reflect a promising future.
Progress and challenges in women's entrepreneurship in Latin America
According to Entrepreneur, currently, women represent only 27% of entrepreneurs in the region. While the gender gap remains a challenge, the numbers also reveal a positive trend: 21% of new businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean are created by women, surpassing other regions thanks to the strong local entrepreneurial spirit.
According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report, it will take another 53 years to achieve gender equality in business leadership. However, the increasing participation of women in the tech startup ecosystem and their access to funding show a continuous path of evolution.
For Odille Sánchez, Leader of the Center of Excellence for Science and Technology-Based Entrepreneurship at Tecnológico de Monterrey, the challenge is not the lack of entrepreneurial spirit among women, but how to empower them to scale their businesses into larger enterprises and technology industries.
Women leading change
Beyond statistics, the stories of women entrepreneurs in Latin America are a testament to the positive impact they generate. An inspiring example is Fery Palma, CEO and founder of Tipis Palma and Palmas Pocket. Fery has demonstrated that creativity and innovation can open doors in sectors where women are still a minority. In a country where only 35% of SMEs are led by women, her story is proof of how entrepreneurship can transform lives.
"For me, supporting women in their ventures and employing them in my projects is a conscious decision. I grew up watching my mother start over after her divorce, and that experience made it clear to me how important it is for a woman to have financial independence," says Palma.
In addition to creating job opportunities for women in vulnerable situations, her company Palmas Poquette allocates part of its profits to social causes, such as the Cancer Warriors foundation. Palma believes that the success of a business is not only measured by profitability but also by the positive impact it can have on the community.
A future with more opportunities for women entrepreneurs
Venture capital investment in Latin America reached $4.2 billion in 2024, a 27% increase from the previous year. To ensure that women benefit from these opportunities, it is crucial to foster spaces that promote their growth.
Tecnológico de Monterrey has implemented programs focused on strengthening female leadership, such as the "Conscious Leadership for Women Executives" seminar, designed to support the transition of women into higher leadership roles.
Latin America has always been a region with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. With more women entering the startup ecosystem and the creation of initiatives that support their growth, the region has the potential to become a global leader in women's empowerment.
Women entrepreneurs in LATAM are changing the game. With determination, innovation, and a vision for social impact, they are paving the way for more women to lead the future of business in the region.