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Do you dream of owning your own business or a small company? You’re certainly not the only one. Women in Spain are converting passions to profits by building businesses that reflect their creativity and vision. Launching a company can be daunting. It’s easy for you to feel trapped between funding, paperwork and figuring where to begin. What’s the good news? The good news?
PAEM, run jointly by the Instituto de las Mujeres y la Spanish Chamber of Commerce, is one of Spain’s most popular programmes. PAEM is available through more than 50 chambers throughout the country. It offers free business advice, mentorship and assistance with administrative tasks. There’s even access to microcredit of up to €30,000, no collateral needed. PAEM guides you through the entire process, from brainstorming ideas to securing a loan.
ENISA’s “Emprendedoras Digitales”, a programme for women entrepreneurs who are tech-oriented or have digital ideas, could be the right program for you. With loans from €25,000 to €1.5 million, it’s perfect for start-ups or scale-ups led by women looking to grow, expand, or go international. You can apply via ENISA or Spain Digital. Your Ministry of Equality is also there to help. Women can get access to advice on legal requirements, market research, and financing through local chambers. If your project is viable, you may qualify for loans of up to €25,000 through MicroBank, all without collateral.
For women in rural areas, there’s Desafío Mujer Rural, offering specialised training, mentoring, and resources to help agricultural or remote businesses thrive. There are also practical perks like reduced social security rates for new self-employed women (tarifa plana), extended discounts for mothers or younger entrepreneurs, and SEPE’s Autoempleo Femenino grants of up to €10,000 for those returning to work, including training in digital marketing and business skills. There are also regional and EU-backed programs that offer even more possibilities.
Building a network is an important part of achieving your dreams. Womenalia, ASEME, and similar organisations can help you connect with mentors and entrepreneurs. Even the paperwork does not have to be a nightmare. Platforms like CIRCE help you register your company as an autónoma or an SL, and a gestor can make taxes, social security, and bureaucracy a breeze.
Start Here
- Pop into your local Cámara de Comercio to explore PAEM and microcredit.
- You can find funding for tech-focused projects at ENISA’s Emprendedoras Digitales.
- MicroBanks and the Ministry of Equality can provide you with advice.
- Rural? Explore Desafío Mujer Rural for training and mentoring.
- Don’t overlook benefits like SEPE Autoempleo Femenino, regional funding or EU-backed funding.
Each step is important when starting a business. You can achieve your goals by taking small steps, such as attending a workshop or researching grants. Spain is full of networks, resources and role models that can help you turn your dreams into reality. The next success story could very well be yours—so take the leap, embrace the challenge, and go for it.
