According to a 2024 report by PitchBook, only 2.3% of venture capital funding went to female founders in the previous year. This statistic shows a marginal increase from the 2.2% recorded in 2023, indicating that while some progress is occurring, it falls short of the leaps needed to achieve gender parity. A broader analysis from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) in early 2024 found that female entrepreneurs are 28% less likely to seek venture capital compared to their male counterparts. When they do seek funding, they often encountered difficulties securing the necessary amounts, as they received, on average, $50,000 less than male entrepreneurs for similar business proposals. Unconscious Bias and Stereotypes The challenges that female entrepreneurs face can largely be attributed to unconscious bias and societal stereotypes. A 2024 study published in Harvard Business Review noted that investors often equate entrepreneurial traits with masculinity, viewing male-led ventures as more capable of high returns. As a result, female entrepreneurs frequently find themselves having to overcome both a funding gap and a confidence gap. “I often feel that my business acumen is judged through a different lens,” states Laura Jenkins, a tech entrepreneur and founder of a fintech startup. “When I pitch to investors, it sometimes feels like I’m fighting against stereotypes rather than getting a fair hearing for my ideas.” Personal Experiences from the Field Two narratives stand out among the many challenges female entrepreneurs face, drawing on personal experiences shared by both female business leaders in established companies and newcomers in the startup phase. Melissa Carter: A Journey from Startup to Success Melissa Carter, founder of an innovative health tech startup, recounts her early struggles with securing funding: “In my first round of funding, I faced rejection after rejection. Many of the investors seemed to focus more on my gender than my business model. I was often asked how I would deal with the stress of running a company—something no male entrepreneur encountered in conversations,” she explains. Melissa’s perseverance eventually led to success, but her journey highlights the formidable barriers women still face. “Once I built credibility through initial achievements, funding became somewhat easier. However, it shouldn't have to be about proving myself over and over again,” she adds. Sarah Lopez: High-Level Corporate Experience
Sarah Lopez, a senior executive in a multinational corporation, shares her perspective from the other side of the table. She recognizes the systemic issues within investment circles. “Many investors still circulate within homogenous networks that do not sufficiently include women. This exclusion perpetuates a cycle of funding bias,” she elaborates. Sarah emphasizes the need for investors to adopt a more inclusive approach: “Diversity in the investment community can lead to better decision-making and more equitable funding practices. It's about breaking those echo chambers to recognize potential regardless of gender.” The Road Ahead: Solutions and Initiatives As we look to the future, solutions to bridge the funding gap for female entrepreneurs must include: 1. Diverse Funding Sources: Organizations like Female Founders Fund and SheEO have emerged, focusing specifically on funding female entrepreneurs. By creating networks and communities, these groups can provide essential resources and financial support. 2. Education and Mentorship: Offering workshops and mentorship programs aimed at women can equip them with the skills needed to navigate the funding landscape effectively. 3. Awareness and Training: Investors should undergo training to understand and mitigate biases in their decision-making processes. Encouraging a diverse investment committee can lead to more equitable funding opportunities. 4. Policy Interventions: Governments could implement policies that promote gender equity in funding, such as grants earmarked for female entrepreneurs or incentives for funds that actively seek to invest in women-led businesses. The current landscape for female entrepreneurs in 2024 reflects both progress and persistent challenges. As women continue to break barriers and forge their paths in various industries, it is crucial to confront the systemic biases that undermine their potential. Collaborative efforts among entrepreneurs, investors, and advocacy groups can pave the way for a more equitable funding ecosystem, unlocking the full creative and innovative potential of women in business. Through shared experiences and focused action, the vision for a future where female entrepreneurs thrive and gain equal access to funding can become a reality. To celebrate 20 years is outstanding, but to make it to 60 years is a huge milestone for any international event – one that has not only grown in spirit and focus on their dedication to children and education, but also on their role in the publishing industry - to present to the world their best Italian foot, on the international stage. To celebrate 20 years is outstanding, but to make it to 60 years is a huge milestone for any international event – one that has not only grown in spirit and focus on their dedication to children and education, but also on their role in the publishing industry - to present to the world their best Italian foot, on the international stage. For me to be invited me – both as an author and publishing house, allowed me an opportunity that I never anticipated, would occur. The last few years has spelt much hardship for many people across the world, especially for publishing and sole trader businesses – it has been no different, for me. Attending this year’s event, also meant putting aside the hesitations of CoVid, the financial strains of what that brought to the industry and saying goodbye to health concerns. The sponsored opportunity took off the compounding pressure, experienced over the last couple of years; I could just focus on the event and seminars offered before me - learning new ways, new ideas in book and publishing management; understanding recent figures, data and how they might affect the industry; talking with so many wonderfully, talented-creative artists – having the privilege of seeing their portfolios; and linking up with clever book technicians, who blew me away at every blink, of the eye. It was a week of touching base with new ideas, meeting new people, believing in positive outcomes for everyone and coming away with lots of useful information, to implement into one’s business.
With only one week on offer, it was a jam-packed event, pavilion and city - with so many things to see and do, and so many people doing their hardest to suck the marrow from the bone, to come away with a stronger understanding of books, publishing and yes – Bologna. What's a Fem-preneur? If you're female and an entrepreneur - well, that makes you a Fem'preneur! If you're dying to change the world for good - Fem'preneur. If you have big dreams and innovations you can't wait to share with the world - Oh, Fem'preneur. If you want to leave your mark on the place - Fem'preneur, Fem'preneur! If you're just busting to say, 'Honey are you a Fem'preneur?' Welcome to the age of FEM'PRENEUR! If you'd like to know the latest on: Fem'preneurs making the news; want to know how to go about things or would like to read something inspirational to help you on your way, then this is the place for you. We'll be delivering articles on all things females find difficult in the world of business and entrepreneurship.
Sometimes, it's hard and you have no one to listen to you. You need to vent. You need a new take on the situation. Then our interviews, thoughts and advice from some of the best women out there - making it great, could tip the scale of make or break in business. We know you've got it in you. You can shine just as good as any of them, but they didn't get there all by themselves. So let us be your rock, your ladder to get you out of that swamp. We have lots of rope to spare. We'll share business knowledge that will inspire, challenge and change the world and how they - see you!
Reese Witherspoon has to be one of the most innovative women, on the planet. A person who is not afraid to stand up and state the differences, the inequalities, the problems facing not only females in the film industry, but the imbalance, under representation and lack of appreciation of the female gender, in our everyday lives. Weaving a story and creatively selecting an opportune time to voice that story is half the battle, in finding ears to listen and individuals to take action.
I was so proud to listen to Reese delivering her speech. It is one, I will never forget and is a huge inspiration to getting out there and delivering more than is expected. Enjoy! Thanks Ciara. :) We can get all caught up with the moment; tell ourselves we don't know what to do in certain situations that we find totally overwhelming.
The situation seems hopeless - appears to difficult to resolve - so we turn to others to fix our problems for us. We tell ourselves there is no possible solution - based on the views of others, who often know little of the problem, we give up after so much hardship. We tell ourselves they know best. We are told, 'it is not worth it' - we interpret this as, 'I'm not 'worth it'. So, we agree to fail as it is a lost cause - destined to fail anyway'. Yet it is at this time, when we should be digging deep - turning inside - asking ourselves with true honesty, to rustle up the last ounce of effort that we think does not exist - to give it another go. Strength and resilience is something we have all heard of, but few push the barriers of exhaustion to achieve the perceived - 'impossible'. When we think we are failing, nine times out of ten, we are coming to a major point of learning. Yes, the hurdle is great, but if we push to overcome that hurdle, the rewards could be more than we ever expected. We are so close to success, it just on the horizon - now is the time to reap the rewards of hard work - of days, months, if not years of hard work. Your cause is never lost. You are never lost. Nothing is lost to the inachievable tomb of 'impossible'. You just need direction, to place 'you' where you will flourish best! |