Brussels opening event for the Gender Gap in Investments pilot

A European Parliament Pilot Project implemented by the European Commission is mobilising researchers, policymakers and market participants to tackle persistent disparities in investment for women led companies and women led funds. The core objective is to produce a comprehensive study and a harmonised methodology for robust and systematic data collection. That methodology is intended to enable better measurement of the gender investment gap and to inform more effective policy interventions across the European Union.

Why measurement matters

Current estimates of funding differences by gender are fragmented. Different countries apply different definitions for what counts as a women led company or a women led fund. Data sources vary by instrument type, by stage of financing and by whether the data capture private or public capital. Without common standards it is hard to compare across member states, track progress or test which policy instruments work. The pilot project aims to address these measurement problems by building a harmonised approach for data collection and analysis.

Events and timelines

To gather qualitative insights and to foster collaboration between stakeholders, the project will hold local events in 10 countries between September 2024 and June 2025. These are designed to complement the quantitative study by surfacing experiences from investors, fund managers, entrepreneurs and policy actors on the ground.

Practical information and registration

When the event was announced, attendees were invited to register with a deadline of Monday 23 September 2024 at 12 00 CEST. The event runs from 09 30 to 20 00 CEST and will be held at Sparks Meeting located at Rue Ravenstein 60, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. English will be the working language.

What to expect from the event and limitations to bear in mind

The Brussels event will convene panels that discuss policy options and showcase findings from sector reports such as the European Women in VC 2024 report. Roundtables are intended to generate qualitative evidence that complements the quantitative study. A startup spotlight and networking reception aim to connect entrepreneurs with investors and policy actors. Organisers present this activity as knowledge sharing and caution that the content should not be read as the official view of the European Commission or any other organisation.

Observers should keep a cautious perspective on outcomes. Measurement work can improve policy targeting but it does not by itself change market behaviour. Closing the gender investment gap will likely require a combination of better data, targeted public instruments, investor practice change, and private sector initiatives. The pilot can strengthen the evidence base, but subsequent policy choices and resource allocations will determine the scale and speed of any change.

Context within the EU innovation ecosystem

This project sits alongside other EU efforts to support innovation and inclusion. Accurate, harmonised data can help institutions such as the European Commission and EU financial bodies to design interventions that reach underfunded groups. Comparable indicators also support accountability across member states and facilitate evaluation of programmes that include gender lenses. Nonetheless practical obstacles remain. National registries, private fund reporting and differences in legal forms mean that creating a workable pan European dataset is technically and politically demanding.

Where the project could add value

If the study delivers a rigorous, transparent and adoptable methodology, it would reduce uncertainty about the size and nature of investment disparities. That can help build consensus on priorities, target resources more efficiently and track progress. The local events provide a forum to surface barriers that raw numbers may hide, such as access to networks, unconscious bias or regulatory frictions. For the pilot to matter beyond rhetoric, the findings need to be translated into monitored commitments and funded programmes.

Stakeholders considering attendance should weigh the practical benefits of contributing local evidence against the reality that measurement alone is only a first step. The eventual impact will depend on follow through from policymakers, funders and market participants.

Disclaimer This article reports on a public pilot project and associated events. The material presented at the Brussels event was intended for knowledge sharing and does not represent an official position of the European Commission or other institutions unless explicitly stated by those institutions.