In a recent Journal of Business Venturing Insights study (2025), Marilla Hayman, Shane Reid, Jessica Kirk, and Devalina Nag explore a question we rarely confront directly:
👉 How does sexual harassment shape who participates in entrepreneurship—and how?
Their findings show that harassment operates not only through direct experience, but also through anticipation.
Even the possibility of harassment can:
- discourage women from entering high-growth sectors
- limit participation in networking and fundraising
- shape the kinds of ventures women feel able to pursue
When harassment is experienced, the consequences deepen:
- reduced confidence and visibility
- psychological and physical strain
- withdrawal from ventures or key opportunities
But the impact doesn’t stop at the individual.
It extends to:
- 🤝 Stakeholders, who may distance themselves or withdraw support
- 🌐 Ecosystems, where exclusionary norms become reinforced
- 💼 Opportunities, which become unevenly accessible
🔍 The key takeaway:
Entrepreneurship is not just about opportunity recognition or resource access.
It is also shaped by conditions of safety, legitimacy, and belonging.
Until we address these conditions, we are not just limiting participation, we are shaping what entrepreneurship becomes, and who it is for.
👉 Which part of the ecosystem do you think holds the most responsibility for change?
📖 Read the full paper here.
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