The company believes these three key learnings, if supported by local governments, can add up to big changes for women-owned businesses globally.
Dell Technologies has proposed three areas for change in policy recommendations which are designed to provide city leaders and policymakers with actionable, data-driven research on the landscape for women.
By Asha McLean 
For TechRepublic
Following the publication of its 2019 Women Entrepreneur Cities (WE Cities) Index, which ranked 50 global cities based on their ability to foster the growth of women-owned businesses, the company called on both the private and public sector to take action.
“Women are critical to our economy, starting businesses at exponential rates. While these businesses contribute greatly to the economy and society, their ultimate potential for impact can be limited due to the financial, cultural, and political barriers women often face as they scale their businesses,” the company said.
Based on these findings from the WE Cities Index — which saw San Francisco’s Bay Area take pole position but still fall short, Dell has developed a set of global policy recommendations.
1. Access to, and development of, financial and human capital
Dell believes financial and human capital are essential elements of fostering women’s entrepreneurship. This can be supported through incentives for individuals and organisations to invest in women-owned companies through venture funds, corporate venture, private equity, and social capital.
It also requires the modernisation of existing government certification, grant, and loan programs that help women-owned businesses compete to reflect changing investment models. Government programs should also be more heavily marketed and promoted under Dell’s proposed model.
Creating new sources of capital such as crowdfunding and impact investments, as well as the fostering of small-business lending programs should be supported.
Dell said enterprise corporations, federal departments, and state/local contracts should also focus on diversity, with a percentage of contracts to be awarded to women-owned businesses.
Further, the government should incentivise the adoption of family-friendly policies including access to affordable child care, elder care, and paid family leave policies.
