A new study commissioned by Mastercard reveals that Ukrainian women have the highest entrepreneurial aspirations in Europe, despite facing war and economic uncertainty. According to the report, 66% of Ukrainian women plan to start their own businesses, a figure that rises to 83% among Gen Z women.

Women in Ukraine Defy Challenges to Pursue Entrepreneurship

The study highlights how Ukrainian women are turning to business ownership as a means of financial stability and social impact. Many cite lack of funds (76%), lack of experience (47%), and lack of confidence (38%) as barriers, yet their resilience remains strong.

Among the most popular industries for female entrepreneurs in Ukraine are online sales (22%), education (17%), agriculture (15%), and food and drink (15%).

Mastercard emphasized the role of female entrepreneurs in economic resilience and recovery, citing stories like Inna Bozhko, a businesswoman from Kharkiv. Bozhko, a mother of a child with cerebral palsy, opened Barbershop Inclusive, which includes a soundproofed area for children with sensory sensitivities. She received support from the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, demonstrating how financial backing and mentorship can help women succeed.

Portugal, Poland, and Greece Lead Female Entrepreneurship in the EU

Within the European Union, Portugal, Poland, and Greece have the highest number of women aspiring to start businesses.

• Portugal: 62% of women have considered starting a business, with 56% actively planning to do so.
• Poland: 47% of women have shown interest, with 36% making concrete plans.
• Greece: 46% are considering entrepreneurship, with the same percentage moving forward with their plans.

Portuguese women stand out not only for their business ambitions but also for their financial literacy. The study found that Portuguese women are twice as confident in handling finances compared to the average European woman.

Gen Z Women Are Driving Change

The study also highlights the influence of Gen Z women, who are increasingly motivated by a desire to make a positive impact.

• 19% of Gen Z women in Europe say they want to start businesses to “do something good for the world,” compared to 13% of Millennials and 14% of Gen X.
• Their preferred industries include education, childcare, and cosmetics, with beauty entrepreneurship being the most popular sector (26% vs. 10% European average).

Challenges and Solutions for Female Entrepreneurs

Despite their ambition, women across Europe continue to face significant barriers when starting businesses. The study identified three major concerns:

1. Fear of failure (31%)
2. Lack of financial resources (29%)
3. Lack of experience (28%)

In addition, many women struggle with balancing family responsibilities, which can limit their ability to pursue business ventures.

However, Mastercard and Amazon Web Services (AWS) believe that digital technology can help bridge the gap. From AI-powered automation to e-commerce platforms, technological advancements are making it easier for women to start, manage, and scale their businesses.

Empowering the Next Generation of Female Entrepreneurs

AWS Vice President Tanuja Randery, a founder of the PowerWomen Network, emphasized the need for sponsorship, mentorship, and financial support for women entrepreneurs.

“To accelerate female entrepreneurship and enable the next unicorns in Europe, we need to ensure women have access to the right sponsors, networks, and funding,” Randery told Euronews Business.

She offered three key pieces of advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs:

1. Have a plan – “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.”
2. Find sponsors, not just mentors – “Women are often over-mentored but under-sponsored.”
3. Take risks – “Move across industries and geographies, embrace feedback, and stay true to yourself.”

As entrepreneurial ambition among women grows across Europe, particularly in Ukraine, greater financial access, mentorship, and digital tools could help unlock the full potential of female-led businesses.

Dublin has become the latest city to embrace drone-powered food delivery as Just Eat Takeaway.com partners with Irish drone operator Manna Drones Ltd to introduce the service.

The Dutch multinational food delivery company announced that customers in select areas of the Irish capital can now receive their meals via drones, dramatically reducing delivery times. “Customers will have the choice to receive their orders from participating partners via drones, which will be deployed from local delivery hubs operated by Manna,” Just Eat Takeaway.com said in a statement.

Once an order is prepared and loaded onto a drone, it can reach customers in as little as three minutes, the company added. The collaboration marks a significant step toward integrating drone technology into mainstream food delivery, with plans to expand the service to other markets in the future.

Just Eat Takeaway.com operates in 17 countries, including Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. The move comes amid a period of transition for the company, which delisted from the London Stock Exchange in December and announced in February that it was being acquired by tech investor Prosus in a €4.1 billion all-cash deal.

The food delivery industry has been increasingly turning to automation to enhance efficiency and reduce reliance on gig economy workers, whose employment conditions have been the subject of ongoing debate. Just Eat Takeaway.com says its drone service will improve operational efficiency and provide faster deliveries, especially during peak hours.

The company joins a growing list of firms investing in drone delivery. In the United States, Walmart and Amazon have already launched similar services, while in Europe, Berlin-based Foodora Group—part of Delivery Hero—is testing deliveries using both drones and autonomous robots in Norway and Sweden. In Sweden, the firm is working with telecom provider Tele2 AB to integrate GPS-based robot home deliveries, with full-scale rollout expected across Nordic countries by 2025 and 2026.

With the introduction of drone deliveries, Just Eat Takeaway.com is positioning itself at the forefront of food delivery innovation, potentially reshaping how meals are delivered in cities worldwide.