Female Entrepreneurship and Proximity to Support Infrastructure in Germany: A Geospatial Analysis

The paper aims to provide spatial evidence on where to prioritize place-based support for women’s entrepreneurship by linking the geography of female founders to the proximity of formal support infrastructure in Germany. To pursue this objective, we assemble nationwide venture microdata covering founding cohorts 2015–2021 and geocoded locations of support infrastructure. Using GIS-based (Geographic Information System) spatial analysis, in particular kernel density and hot/cold-spot mapping and bivariate correlations, we quantify proximity-entrepreneurship associations and identify policy-relevant hot- and cold-spots. Our findings reveal female entrepreneurship clusters in major urban corridors. Proximity to support infrastructure is positively associated with women founders. At 10 km buffers, correlations reach r = 0.26 for women and r = 0.31 for men. Effects attenuate at 20 km (r = 0.15 and r = 0.14). We map actionable cold-spots, i.e., places with sparse infrastructure and low female-founder presence, alongside high-performing hot-spots. As a practical implication, we propose a spatial targeting logic: resources should be concentrated in identified cold-spots via women-focused hubs, mobile advisory, and improved last-mile accessibility. Progress through a compact KPI set should be monitored. Targeted spatial support can advance gender equity in entrepreneurship while strengthening regional cohesion and efficient public spending.