The "Business Women IHK" advocate for the interests of German commerce. Together with many other entrepreneurs active in the IHKs, they are convinced that equal participation of women and men strengthens and further enhances the success of the German economy. The network is dedicated to ensuring that women can participate equally in the economy—as entrepreneurs, as executives, and in economic policy volunteerism.
In a time when a shortage of skilled workers, female founders, and executives represents typical challenges, both men and women are needed to strengthen the German economy. This is exactly where the "Entrepreneurs Active for German Commerce" initiative by the DIHK, with its network Business Women IHK, comes in. It motivates girls and women to start businesses and pursue corporate succession, connects female entrepreneurs, boosts their visibility, and promotes their participation within the IHK organization and beyond—a crucial building block for a modern, high-performing economy.
Who is behind the network?
The Business Women IHK network comprises over 300 female entrepreneurs, successful in small, medium, and large companies, who actively volunteer in the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
If you are a member of the presidium, general assembly, or a specialist or regional committee of an IHK, you become part of Business Women IHK!
Goals and strategy
More female entrepreneurs for the German economy
An essential goal of Business Women IHK is to attract more female entrepreneurs, founders, and innovators in Germany. The network serves as a platform that makes female entrepreneurship visible and connects women.
The proportion of women in all startups is only around 30 percent. Only about 8 percent of individuals registering patents are female inventors. Regarding all corporate succession transactions, the proportion of women is about 22 percent. Against this backdrop, the IHKs, together with Business Women IHK, have developed the "Become an Entrepreneur" action plan, which includes four measures:
Aktionsplan "Werde Unternehmerin"
Networking and exchange of experiences
The DIHK organizes regular digital and analog exchange meetings with renowned female speakers for Business Women IHK and interested female entrepreneurs.
Are you interested in meeting exciting female founders, entrepreneurs, or scientists and networking with Business Women IHK? Then feel free to join our digital exchange meetings:
Contact
Projektleiterin
Julia Arnold
Businesswoman IHK and Network Communication
Projektreferentin
Marianne Schüsseler
Business Women IHK
Lisa Schreiber
Assistant to the Head of Department for Health Economics, Employment, and Organizational Development