Starting a business is hard no matter where it begins. Some locations, though, can make it easier to grow that business into a successful company, thanks to a combination of culture, talent, technology, and capital.
On Wednesday, Dell unveiled its 2016 Women Entrepreneurs study. The survey examined which cities would be most supportive to "high potential women entrepreneurs" — women who are building a business to surpass $1 million or more in revenue a year.
Most cities still have a long way to go to fully support the woman entrepreneurial community — the No. 1 city only scored a 'mediocre' score of 58 overall — but some places stand out from the pack.
Here's the list of the best cities for a high potential woman entrepreneur to start a business:
- Sao Paulo
The Brazilian city got high marks for the city's "attitudes and expectations" toward women entrepreneurs, yet its access to capital is holding it back.
- Mexico City
Better access to female mentors and role models would "go along way" for Mexico City, the survey said.
- Tokyo
The Japanese city placed at the top of the list for market size, but it could do a better job helping women entrepreneurs access the market and find female role models.
- Shanghai
Shanghai's market size was second compared to Tokyo's, but it's easier for women to break into it.
- Taipei
Taipei, like Seoul and Tokyo, needs to work on increasing access to markets for women-owned businesses.
- Hong Kong
Hong Kong is good for both capital and technology.
- Beijing
Beijing excelled in technology and placed 6th overall for access to talent.
- Austin
Austin topped the list for tech-friendly policies — a ranking that might change now that Lyft and Uber have announced their exits from the Texas city.
- Munich
Munich gets high marks for its policies and strong women entrepreneurs, but the size of its markets and a lack of access to capital hold it back, the survey said.
- Seattle
Seattle is top for access to female mentors and role models. And there's a good proportion of funding that goes to women in the city.
- Paris
Paris is one of the best for talent, culture, and market size, but it lacks capital and technology compared to other cities.
- Sydney
Sydney is one of the top cities for women entrepreneurs, thanks to great access to mentors and increased connectivity.
- Washington D.C.
America's capital city provides ready access to funding and talent, making it one of the top operating environments for women entrepreneurs.
- Toronto
Toronto tops the list for its culture score: It has mentors, networks, and role models for women and the city has the right policy and attitude to support them.
- Singapore
The island city-state in Southeast Asia is an ideal environment for women to launch a business venture thanks to its ample supply of talent, culture, and technology.
- Stockholm
Stockholm tops the list for technology, which gives it an edge as a great "enabling environment" for women entrepreneurs.
- London
London has better access to markets and capital for women entrepreneurs than most cities.
- San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area doles out the most money to businesses founded and led by women. Plus it has plenty of talent available for companies.
- New York
New York ranks first for both being able to attract women entrepreneurs and to support them as they build their companies.
