Gender difference in the probability of success in starting business turns negligible when controlling for the managerial experience

This study analyses the difference in the probability of success in starting a business between male and female entrepreneurs. The novel data set of the participants of business start-up seminars enables us to control for entrepreneurial drive, educational level and managerial experience. In contrast to the existing literature, the gender difference proves to be negligible after controlling for the managerial experience. Our finding implies that the training programmes for women to improve their management skill will reduce the gender gap in starting a business.