Our Story

Girls Mean Business (GMB) was founded in 2023 by a group of University of Auckland students as part of the Women in Entrepreneurship course (INNOVENT 310). The idea was brought to life under the guidance of Professor Christine Woods, the Dame Teresa Gattung Chair of the Aotearoa Centre for Enterprising Women (ACEW).

Our Vision

We envision an Aotearoa that fosters an environment of equitable entrepreneurship. A significant gender gap still exists in the workplace, particularly in business, and we are committed to bridging this divide by proving that women are equally capable in the world of business. We aim to expand throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand, partnering with schools nationwide to empower young girls. A key focus for us is working with Māori communities to inspire the next generation of wāhine Māori entrepreneurs.

Our mission is to empower the next generation of young women in entrepreneurship by educating Year 7-8 girls (aged 10-12) across Aotearoa, New Zealand. We aim to inspire and equip them with the skills, confidence, and support needed to thrive as entrepreneurs. By creating early opportunities to engage with entrepreneurship, we seek to break down barriers and challenge gender norms in the business world. Through mentorship, education, and real-world experiences, we strive to empower the next generation of female leaders and innovators.