Supporting women entrepreneurs and women-led businesses is not just the right thing to do socially, it is one of the smartest things that governments, corporations and the finance community could do economically. Yet, around the world, women entrepreneurs still face barriers to starting and growing their businesses. 
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In 2022, we published a Citi GPS report, <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="https://ir.citi.com/gps/BEmj0x3B9xI9lV1askcQ4i82kPQxePoOBbUjMQcA4UMMKvopj0lLpx5N9SKEpOiBewaKKUK7F7I%3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">Women Entrepreneurs: Catalyzing Growth, Innovation, and Equality</a>, which found that closing the gender gap in business growth globally could add up to $2.3 trillion to global GDP (or a 3% increase), create up to 433 million jobs, and unleash an untapped pool of talent and innovation to address global challenges. 
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In this curated series of conversations, we highlight some of the women building successful businesses across sectors and in different regions to learn from their experiences. Our experts will explore the challenges women entrepreneurs still face, what is needed to better support them, and the significant economic opportunity that empowered women entrepreneurs present. 
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Demonstrating and championing the economic case for gender equality in the global workplace has been a consistent feature of the Citi GPS series over many years. In this new report, we have turned our attention to advocating the business case for supporting women entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses. As the world seeks to build back from the pandemic, transition to a low carbon economy, and achieve the potential of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we believe that building a gender-balanced playing field for entrepreneurs is critical. Supporting women entrepreneurs and women-led businesses is not just the right thing to do socially, it is one of the smartest things that governments, corporations, and the finance community could do economically.

Women Entrepreneurs

Supporting women entrepreneurs and women-led businesses is not just the right thing to do socially, it is one of the smartest things that governments, corporations and the finance community could do economically. Yet, around the world, women entrepreneurs still face barriers to starting and growing their businesses.

Women Entrepreneurs Series

Key topics discussed:
<ul type="disc">
<li>How Oraan is creating financial solutions for underserved communities</li>
<li>Her experience building businesses in Toronto and Karachi</li>
<li>Attracting talented colleagues to join a woman-led fintech business</li>
<li>What the finance industry can do to better support women entrepreneurs</li>
</ul>
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Halima Iqbal, Founder of Oraan in conversation with Ronit Ghose, Head of Future of Finance &amp; Digital, Citi Global Insights.

Backing Women-Led Businesses: In Conversation with Oraan

Key topics covered:
- How The Psych.AI Group is using technology for good &ndash; and how other companies can too
- Her journey through a distinguished career and into entrepreneurship
- What the finance industry can do to better support women entrepreneurs

In conversation with Anjuli Bedi, Founder and CEO of The Psych.AI Group.

Backing Women-Led Businesses: In Conversation with The Psych.AI Group

Key topics covered:
<ul type="disc">
<li>Her experience building a business as a woman entrepreneur and Ukrainian refugee</li>
<li>What home-staging is and how she creates a sense of comfort in the homes she stages</li>
<li>How the business community can better support women entrepreneurs</li>
<li>Her advice for women entrepreneurs at the start of their journey</li>
</ul>

In conversation with Alisa Akopian, entrepreneur and home-stager.