Companies with women in leadership grow 21% more, survey says

The female presence in the labor market has been growing and, with it, the protagonism of women in strategic areas. In the technology sector, there are still challenges to be overcome, but the changes are visible. According to the Softex Observatory, they already represent 25% of professionals in the area, and this number tends to increase with initiatives aimed at inclusion. 

When we look at entrepreneurship, the scenario becomes even more promising. In recent years, female participation in this sector has grown rapidly. Currently, they represent one third of entrepreneurs in expansion, according to the Report on Female Entrepreneurship 2023/2024 of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). In addition, one in ten women is starting new businesses, while among men, the proportion is one to eight. These figures show that, more and more, women are gaining space and creating opportunities in the market.

Even in startups, where the female presence is still lower, change is happening. According to the Brazilian Association of Startups (ABStartups), 15,7% of these companies already have women in the lead. In addition, many companies are rethinking their processes to ensure equity. An example of this is the first Report on Salary Transparency and Remuneration Criteria, released by the government, which revealed that 39% of companies with more than one hundred employees already adopt actions to promote women to leadership positions.

Against the inequality, some companies are already showing that diversity generates concrete results. Atomic Group, a startup accelerator and main technology connection platform to empower owners of technology channels and startups in the generation of equity, is an example of this. With more than 60% of its team composed of women, the company reinforces the importance of creating an egalitarian and innovative environment.

“Our focus has always been on hiring the best talent, regardless of gender.What happened at Atomic Group was a natural consequence of a culture that values competence, innovation and dedication. This reinforces that when opportunities are given equally, the female presence grows organically”, explains Filipe Bento, CEO of Atomic Group.

Diversity within the company goes beyond representation; it has become a strategy for innovation. “The female presence strengthens collaboration, empathy and strategic vision.Diverse teams make better decisions and create more innovative solutions”, says Bento.

Women-led companies have also shown above-average performance. According to McKinsey, women-led businesses report, on average, 21% growth higher than that of companies led only by men.Rizzo Franchise's research reinforces this trend, showing that franchises run by women earn about 32% more. In addition, Hubla, a digital product sales platform in Brazil, found that women-led businesses had a three-fold increase in revenue and average ticket.

This reality is reflected within Atomic Group, where women occupy strategic positions and drive the growth of the company.“Alas are at the forefront of key decisions, leading initiatives that strengthen our positioning in the” market, says the CEO.

“We have in the group a significant representation of women collaborators, who today make up about 60% of our board. With a composition that goes from the executive layer to analysts and interns. It is a privilege to be part of a heterogeneous team that has achieved this index not by quota plans, nor intentionally, but by a culture that values the competence of professionals and that, consequently, increasingly recognizes the prominence of women as high-ranking professionals who deliver what is proposed”, collaborates Fernanda Oliveira, executive director of BR24 who is part of the group. 

Since its foundation, the company has actively invested in the professional development of its collaborators.“We have women in strategic areas and constantly encourage their professional rise.Creating real opportunities is essential to strengthen the representativeness in the” market, says Bento.

Even with the advances, challenges still exist. Access to leadership positions and reconciliation between professional and personal life are some barriers that many women face. However, companies that bet on equity reap direct benefits. “We value equity, ensuring that everyone has a voice and space to develop”, emphasizes Bento.

Diversity is not only a social agenda, but a competitive differential for the success of the company.“Diverse teams generate more creative and effective solutions, directly impacting the products and services offered. When we bring together different perspectives, we avoid biases and can better meet the needs of the” market, highlights the CEO.

Atomic Group's commitment to equity also goes through inclusion policies and fair remuneration.“Here, merit and competence are the foundations for any decision.We work with objective evaluation criteria to ensure equal opportunities for all”, he reinforces.

According to Bento, this mentality can inspire other companies to follow the same path. “It is not just about having more women on the team, but about offering real conditions for them to take a leading role in their” areas, says Bento.

Looking ahead, the company intends to continue growing sustainably and positively impacting the market and society.“Our goal is to strengthen our team, invest in talent development and continue as a reference in innovation and people management”, concludes the CEO.

If more companies adopt this model, the labor market will become more balanced and prepared for the challenges of the future.“Diversity is not just a concept, it is a competitive advantage”, concludes Bento.