Women remain significantly underrepresented in entrepreneurship, particularly in STEM fields, despite clear evidence of their potential impact. Research shows that women-led companies generate higher revenues and contribute to greater innovation and profitability. Yet, in 2021, only 2.3% of global venture capital funding went to all-female founding teams, and women held just 28% of senior leadership roles globally.

In Armenia and Georgia, women show strong participation in STEM education and research - making up over 40% of students and more than half of researchers in some cases. However, this does not translate into equal representation in entrepreneurship or business leadership. Many women start businesses out of necessity rather than opportunity, and barriers such as lack of access to funding, mentorship, and entrepreneurial training persist.

Addressing these gaps through targeted support and capacity-building is essential for unlocking the economic potential of women and driving inclusive innovation across the region.

Program Summary

WIN

The Women Innovators program, designed by FAST, aimed to empower and unlock the entrepreneurial potential of women in the STEM field in Armenia by providing them with the necessary knowledge, mindset, and network. More than 100 Armenian women in STEM benefited from the program in 2024, taking part in a 2.5-month-long capacity-building and mindset-shifting training. The pilot program demonstrated its productivity and efficiency. 

WIN4Education

The current WIN4Education program is focused on innovation in STEM education. This will address the challenges highlighted above by fostering a robust pipeline of women entrepreneurs in STEM education. 

Focusing on education creates a sustainable pipeline of empowered women ready to contribute to the regional innovation economy, bridging the gap between academic achievements and impactful leadership in STEM entrepreneurship.

The program will be implemented in collaboration with regional partners localizing the methodology in other Eastern Partnership countries:

• Teach for Armenia - with its strong presence in Armenia’s rural and underserved regions, TFA will bring its experience in classroom innovation and educator engagement, contributing to an inclusive learning transformation across communities.

• Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) - as a leading institution in Georgia’s education and public policy landscape, GIPA will ensure locally adapted implementation of the program across Georgia.

Apply to Win4Education (deadline August 10, 2025)