Leadership without leverage : female entrepreneurs navigating constrained environments in Finland's startup ecosystem

Abstract

Female entrepreneurship continues to grow globally, yet women continue to face persistent systemic barriers, including limited access to capital, gendered societal expectations, and structural inequities within entrepreneurial ecosystems. While prior research has extensively documented these challenges, little attention has been given to the strategies women employ to navigate said challenges. This thesis explores the lived experiences of female entrepreneurs in Finland to uncover the adaptive strategies that enable success in male-dominated contexts.

A qualitative research design was employed, comprising of six semi-structured interviews with active female startup founders and ecosystem professionals. Findings reveal that social networks and support systems are central to sustaining female founders, providing both practical guidance and psychological support. The study further highlights the internalized psychological challenges, including imposter syndrome and self-doubt, shaped by early social conditioning and societal gender norms.

This research contributes to a more inclusive understanding of entrepreneurship by centering on women’s lived experiences and demonstrating how adaptive strategies can reshape traditional leadership paradigms and entrepreneurial success. The findings have significant implications for theory, policy, and practice, emphasizing the need for entrepreneurial ecosystems that actively support and amplify women’s potential.