The Best Cities for Female Entrepreneurs
Where women-led businesses thrive - and why your next move could change everything.
If you’re building a values-led, life-supporting business, the right city can elevate your ambition. It's not just about commute or cobblestones—it’s about ecosystem, equity, and everything in between.
Based on Dell Women Entrepreneur Cities (WE) Index, here are five proven top-tier cities for women entrepreneurs - ranked on policies, culture, capital, markets, talent, and technology - plus why they make a real impact.
1. London, UK
#1 city worldwide on the WE Index - topping charts in tech, markets, and capital .
Capital & Funding: Crowdfunding and VC funding are soaring for female founders.
Mentorship & Network: Hub to AllBright, Found & Flourish, SheEO and more.
Tech Access: Leading in open data & connectivity - ideal for scaling digital and hybrid businesses.
For cosmopolitan founders with big ideas and bigger hearts, London delivers both pace and purpose.
2. New York City, USA
Runner-up on global performance - dominating markets, culture, and access pillars DellDell.
Funding ecosystems: Home to Female Founders Fund, Dreamers & Doers, and WBENC.
Media power: Leading global platform for visibility and storytelling.
Culture of impact: NYC’s energy translates into real-world influence for women-led brands.
Ambition thrives here. The question isn’t if - it’s how big.
3. San Francisco Bay Area, USA
3rd in Dell’s WE Index - a capital and technology juggernaut .
High-tech spotlight: Healthtech, AI, cleantech - with strong women representation.
Accelerators & Mentoring: Women-focused startup programs with real scale potential.
Venture ROI: Leading capital access for female founders in tech-driven sectors.
You don’t need to be an engineer - but being visionary won’t hurt.
4. Paris, France
Top 5 city - Paris ranks high for culture, talent, and women-friendly funding
Grants & support: Government-backed initiatives for female-led ventures.
Work–life balance: Strong parental support and PTO policies.
Creative innovation: Station F, Europe's largest startup incubator, blends design and development.
Ideal for founders who want je ne sais quoi and financial backing.
5. Stockholm, Sweden
A demonstration of equality and innovation - top-tier across culture, technology, and inclusivity .
Gender equity by default: High parental leave, representation, and legal support.
Green-tech hub: Circular fashion, sustainability, digital design—all female-friendly sectors.
Progressive governance: Policies that nurture mission-first startups.
A city for founders who build better futures, not just bigger businesses.
Why These Cities Matter
Dell’s latest WE Index identifies cities based on five core pillars: Markets, Talent, Capital, Culture, and Technology.
London leads overall - while New York, San Francisco, Paris, and Stockholm consistently perform across most pillars.
If you’re considering relocation or scaling into a new market, these cities offer data-backed ecosystems where female entrepreneurs thrive.
Next Steps for Founders
Assess your needs: Capital? Culture? Mentor access? Choose based on your top priority pillar.
Explore local resources: Join region-specific networks like AllBright, WBENC, or Station F.
Consider remote-first: Many of these cities lead in tech and decentralised working - no relocation required.
TL;DR
These five cities are proven ecosystems for women-led business success - offering access, equity, and encouragement at every level:
London ≫ Crowd‑friendly capital, tech & mentorship
New York City ≫ Market, media & maniacal impact
San Francisco ≫ Tech capital & zone for scale
Paris ≫ Government-supported, creative & balanced
Stockholm ≫ Green innovation meets gender equality
