FACTORS EFFECTING FEMALE STARTUPPERS IN HUNGARY
FACTORS EFFECTING FEMALE STARTUPPERS IN HUNGARY

Summary/Abstract: The present paper focuses on female startupfounders in Hungary. Numerous studies examine femaleentrepreneurship, but the topic of female startups is a lessexplored area. The research was carried out in two stages:at first in 2019 through an online survey and in-depthinterviews, and then in May 2021 with in-depth interviewsdue to the delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Mixed research methodology was used and comprised ofan online questionnaire administered in startup-themedclosed social media groups (n=113) and in-depthinterviews among experts and members of the ecosystem(n=7+7). The aim was to conclude how potential femalestartup founders could be encouraged and what form ofsupport should be given to them, as well as to explore theeffects of the Covid-19 pandemic on female startupentrepreneurs. The results show that 70 percent ofrespondents have their own business, these were set up byboth sexes between the ages of 24 and 35. Therespondents mostly use equity when starting theirbusinesses. Although the proportion of women amongstartup founders is very low, a positive entrepreneurialattitude can be observed among them. The startupecosystem is centralised in Hungary; it is only emerging insome major university cities outside the capital. Thestrengthening role of startup communities and socialmedia is unquestionable. Furthermore, the results reveallimiting factors, especially complex ones hindering femalestart-ups, which can typically be traced back to family andsocial reasons. To overcome these obstacles governmentsshould continue facilitating startup development. Thepandemic was considered as an opportunity to promotenew ideas and features, concentrate on design and finetune their startup businesses.

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