Scaling women-led social enterprises: examining mentorship access and gender-based funding biases

Abstract This study investigates the structural dynamics influencing the scalability of women-led social enterprises (WLSEs) in Ghana, with a specific focus on access to mentorship and gender-based funding biases. We used a cross-sectional survey of 353 WLSEs, and we analyzed it using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). From this, we derived findings that revealed the growth potential of WLSEs. Yet contemporaneously, we found that WLSEs face significant barriers, and we could only conclude that these apparent barriers are taking place within the context of systemic gender inequities. Access to mentorship serves as a critical mediating mechanism, enhancing enterprise readiness by building strategic capabilities and social capital. In contrast, gender-based funding biases exert both direct and moderating adverse effects on scaling outcomes, undermining the influence of women-led leadership. These results challenge prevailing gender-neutral frameworks and underscore the necessity of embedding gender-responsive approaches within entrepreneurial ecosystems. The study contributes to feminist institutional theory and gender lens investing literature, advocating for policy and investment reforms that prioritize inclusive mentorship and equitable capital access to support sustainable social enterprise growth.