If you are a self-employed woman seeking support to launch your own company, you may be interested to know that the EU is encouraging women to get started in business and lending a helping hand.

As women represent only a third of Europe's self-employed workforce, the EU has tried to identify the obstacles women face in starting and growing a business. These include lack of access to information, training, funding, mentors and support networks – not to mention difficulties balancing work and family life.

In response, the EU created the WEgate platform, an online gateway providing practical advice on how to start and grow a business and secure funding, e‑learning materials, networking opportunities and details of support organisations across Europe. The EU also finances the European Business Angels Network, which helps women entrepreneurs find funding. The EU's Enterprise Europe Network, which assists businesses in growing internationally, has a dedicated group supporting female entrepreneurs.

Under EU law, all self-employed women are entitled to a maternity allowance and to maternity leave of at least 14 weeks, if they choose to take it. Additional flexible working arrangements in the EU's new rules on work–life balance will enable more women to further their careers or start up in business.

If you have received EU research and innovation funding at some point in your career and founded or co‑founded a successful company based on your innovative ideas, you could receive one of the annual cash prizes awarded as part of the EU Prize for Women Innovators.