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Finance Ignores Women Founders' Success: A Call for Change
27 Nov
Summary
- Women-led businesses receive only 2.1% of global venture capital funding.
- Businesses founded by men receive 10x more funding than women-led ones.
- Women founders lead more mission-driven businesses making a societal difference.
Women entrepreneurs face a significant funding disparity, receiving a mere 2.1% of global venture capital in 2023. Data reveals European businesses led by men secure ten times more funding than those solely founded by women, despite women's proven track record of delivering higher cumulative revenues over five years. This persistent gap suggests outdated perceptions within the finance industry, overlooking the substantial success and impact of female-led enterprises.
Prominent figures like Oprah Winfrey and Arianna Huffington highlight the existing success of women in business. Moreover, research indicates that women founders often lead more mission-driven companies, aiming to create positive societal change. Recognizing this, institutions like Oxford Business School are partnering with initiatives such as The Unlock Her Future 2025 prize to empower these ventures.
The Unlock Her Future prize, supporting businesses with a $100,000 prize pot, aims to identify and catalyze impactful ideas from women founders. Recent finalists presented innovations ranging from a legal app for domestic violence awareness in Pakistan to a South Asian health tech startup. These mission-driven businesses underscore the potential for women to drive significant societal progress.
