The Entrepreneurial Capital Study 2012-2024 by Agencia Córdoba Innovar y Emprender reveals a significant rise in the number of founding teams with at least one woman, increasing from 11.5% to 31% in recent years. Despite this progress, gender equity challenges persist, as highlighted by women entrepreneurs in the ecosystem, including María Deza (Aquared), Delfina Vilieri (Embryoxite), and Clara Gaumet (Insights), who share their experiences regarding both advancements and ongoing barriers.
The Rise of Women Entrepreneurs in Córdoba
The newly released edition of the Entrepreneurial Capital Study examines various dimensions of the province’s startup ecosystem, focusing on gender inclusion. Understanding the evolution and challenges of women in innovative entrepreneurship is key to fostering a more inclusive business environment.
Over the past decade, the presence of female founders has increased significantly. From 2012 to 2015, only 11.5% of startups had at least one woman in the founding team. However, this figure has grown to 31% in the last four years, marking an important step forward for gender diversity in entrepreneurship.
More Women Entrepreneurs, But Barriers Remain
“Our team agrees that, fortunately, being women has not limited our entrepreneurial journey. This is a great achievement and a positive sign. We are part of a generation that dares to pursue entrepreneurship, follow their dreams, and dedicate themselves to what they truly want,” says María Deza, co-founder of Aquared.
Composed of four women, Aquared aims to make water access more sustainable for communities lacking this essential resource. Their startup develops modular water networks made from recycled plastic, adapting to challenging terrains while minimizing the need for heavy machinery.
On the challenges still facing women entrepreneurs, María adds: “Financial education is a crucial issue. It remains scarce both in family settings and in educational institutions. Additionally, women often strive for balance between work, health, and family, which can present additional constraints.”
Her co-founders, Antonella Caballero, María Belén Tissera, and María Paz Sozzi, share similar views: “Being female entrepreneurs gives us autonomy, flexibility, and the opportunity to generate a distinct social impact. When designing a product or service, we bring a different sensitivity to the table.” While they have not faced significant gender-based difficulties, they often notice surprise when people realize their leadership team consists entirely of women.
Entrepreneurship and Motherhood: Finding the Balance
“In the past, male dominance was much more pronounced. Today, we see progress, but there’s still a long way to go. A mix of men and women in key roles enriches startups,” says Delfina Vilieri, CEO of Embryoxite.
In the biotechnology sector, Embryoxite specializes in non-invasive AI-based testing to improve in vitro fertilization treatments, increasing success rates and supporting individuals in their journey to parenthood.
Delfina shares her personal experience: “I lead Embryoxite alongside our COO, Iván Anduaga. I love that our top two positions are held by a man and a woman. We have different approaches to tackling challenges, and that diversity strengthens our startup. While I focus more on investors and business opportunities, Iván manages operations. Our complementary skills make us a strong team.”
Balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood has been a challenge for Delfina. “After my second child was born, I could only take ten days off. The company was under high demand, and the economic situation was tough. Given our startup’s structure, I couldn’t afford to be absent for long. The professional demands are immense, requiring top performance while navigating postpartum and infant care.”
Delfina emphasizes that “entrepreneurship under these conditions is incredibly demanding. As women, we face physical and emotional challenges that often go unnoticed. That’s why it’s essential to talk about these experiences and push for supportive policies.” She highlights the importance of building a support network: “I had to learn to ask for help, both professionally and personally. Surrounding yourself with a community, relying on your team, and learning from rejection strengthens every process.”
Reflecting on her journey, Delfina adds: “Deciding to have my second child was difficult because Embryoxite felt like another child. It’s tough for a founder to entrust their startup to someone else. But I realized—if we help others achieve their dream of becoming parents, why wouldn’t I allow myself to fulfill mine?”
She encourages other women to take the leap: “Don’t be afraid to ask for support, build networks, and collaborate. Entrepreneurship isn’t easy, but with a strong community, it’s possible. Every challenge overcome makes us stronger and better.”
Innovation with a Gender Perspective
“There’s still a lack of balance in strategic roles, but we’re making progress. We’re getting closer to true equality,” says Clara Gaumet, a member of Insights.
Based in Río Cuarto, Insights operates in the Agtech sector, developing an intelligence platform for agribusiness management. Their technology enables real-time livestock management, integrating precision data to optimize processes and ensure traceability throughout the production chain.
Reflecting on her role, Clara states: “As a woman, I hold a key position in the company. Female participation in strategic roles is essential. I encourage all women to venture into entrepreneurship, take decision-making positions, and trust in their abilities. Our perspective adds tremendous value to growth and innovation.”
Towards a More Inclusive Ecosystem
The rise in female founders reflects a necessary shift but also underscores the need for policies that support and sustain this progress. The Agencia Córdoba Innovar y Emprender report highlights the importance of fostering diversity and increasing female representation in leadership roles.
As a driving force behind Córdoba’s entrepreneurial development, the agency continues to create opportunities for more women to establish, lead, and scale their ventures. Diversity not only enriches teams and ideas but is also crucial in building a future defined by innovation and genuine equality. Promoting female talent means investing in a stronger, more diverse, and more promising startup ecosystem.