The Best Cities for Female Entrepreneurs
By Shannon Kate Murray, Founder & Editor of High Flying DesignIf 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
