Gether’s Post

🚀 The 100 Women Founders to Watch are launching disruptive new businesses, driving climate action, accelerating AI, innovating across 20+ industries from femtech to space tech, and they’ve raised more than $1.1b between them. (...) But, for many founders who identify as women, there are still significant challenges when it comes to raising investment. Startups founded or co-founded by women raise just 10% of total VC funding in Europe, and women-only founded startups raise just 2% of funding in the US. Companies led by Black women receive less than 1%. This is crazy when you consider that 1 in 6 women globally intend to start a business, compared with 1 in 5 men, and that women are the primary consumers of many tech-based products – women control more than $30t in consumer spending, and that number is expected to increase to $40t by 2030! In this report, published in partnership with Institut auf dem Rosenberg, we explore how to increase representation and move more investor money to women founders. Through a series of exclusive interviews, unicorn founders share their startup stories and advice for budding women entrepreneurs, top VC investors discuss investment trends and how to raise, and we conclude with our list of 100 of the world’s most promising women tech founders, from pre-Seed to Series A stage. The goal of the 100 Women Founders to Watch list is to shine a light on 100 of the most exceptional women founders blazing a trail in the tech industry across three of the key markets – the UK & Europe, the United States, and Southeast Asia. This is not a definitive list or ranking of any kind, and we know that there are many exceptional founders who we will have missed. We are open to any recommendations for future lists as we continue to build out our diverse and inclusive founder community. (...) We need to tackle the challenge together as an industry. We need to close the gender funding gap and increase the number of women in founding teams as well as at c-suite level in companies, on startup boards, and on investment committees. By bringing communities together, championing success stories, and reating a safe, supportive environment where diverse voices are heard and valued, we can drive innovation and create a more equitable tech industry. Read on to discover our 100 women founders to watch! - Carolyn Dawson OBE, CEO of Founders Forum Group CR to Founders Forum Group #startups #women #vc #founders #entrepreneurship #investment

💼 The Next Women x Google for Startups: Funding Roundtable to Drive Real Change for Female-led businesses Let’s talk about impact – because this isn’t just another discussion. It’s about creating real pathways to funding and equity for female founders and entrepreneurs. The Funding Roundtable: Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges is designed for founders and impact investors who are serious about making change happen. Together, we’ll dive deep into the challenges of the gender funding gap, but more importantly, we’ll co-create actionable strategies to close it. 🌉 📅 Date: November 25th 📍 Location: Google Amsterdam 🔗 Don’t miss this chance to be part of the movement – Register now: https://lu.ma/z5v7k9a0 In alignment with Google for Startups, we’re opening doors for underrepresented founders, building the connections and networks that truly make a difference. Join us in driving the conversation forward and making sure it sparks the change we need. Let’s turn dialogue into impact for women-led businesses. This event is curated and limited seats are available. Borski Fund LUMO Labs 4impact capital Rockstart Kathleen Oerlemans Christina Caljé Joanna Invests 10x.Team Yoni Kasia Pokrop Elfin Maryama W. Marong 💪🏽

Research shows women-led tech startups are more capital-efficient, receive higher returns on investment, and generate higher revenue than male-owned tech companies when backed by a VC. Antler is uniquely positioned to provide a platform women entrepreneurs accelerate progress and build exceptional companies. To borrow a quote from my colleague Rosalind Bazany, Head of ESG and Impact: “The startup ecosystem and VC industry are more than just engines of economic growth—they are platforms for societal evolution. Success in the modern world hinges on diverse expertise and viewpoints. By supporting women in business, we’re not just making things fairer, we are making our industry stronger.” I couldn’t agree more. With applications to Antler are closing soon, we’d love to see more women participating in our cohorts and pitching for investment. Jo Thomas, recently built Enrola with Antler, secured initial investment from us, and is now raising her next round with co-founder Yvette Quinby. This is could you, or someone you know.If there are women in your network that you would want to build a business with, that you’re inspired by, motivated by, women you know are experts in their field or just damn good operators, we want to know about them! Nominate them here and our team will get in touch with them. https://lnkd.in/g6wAu9nK Our next residency kicks off in August. Help us invest in exceptional women founders who will build game-changing startups. #InvestInWomen

As we prepare to host two significant events with TECH WEEK by a16z, we are reminded of the urgency of our mission to connect female founders with angels and investors. Despite some progress in early-stage funding for women-led businesses—rising from 5% to 7% of pre-seed and seed funding between 2015 and 2023—the statistics reveal a troubling trend. For women-founded companies seeking investments beyond Series B, the share of venture capital dollars has decreased from 2% to just 1%. This "valley of death" poses a serious challenge for growth-stage companies, especially those led by women of color. The rise of women-led VC funds is encouraging, but many are small and focused primarily on early-stage investments. This limits their capacity to support companies as they scale, creating significant barriers for promising women-led startups. At Beauté in Tech, we are committed to bridging this gap. Our events aim to: 1. Connect Female Founders: We facilitate access to capital for women entrepreneurs seeking growth opportunities. 2. Highlight Diverse Talent: We showcase innovative businesses led by women, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. 3. Build Supportive Network : We foster connections among mentors, investors, and peers to create a robust ecosystem. 4. Drive Economic Growth: By supporting women-led businesses, we contribute to innovation and job creation in our communities. As we move forward, it is essential for us to advocate for increased investments in women-led companies and promote diversity within the venture capital landscape. By doing so, we can create a more equitable and innovative business environment that reflects the diverse world we live in. Together, let’s work towards a future where all entrepreneurs have equal access to the resources they need to thrive. #WomenInBusiness #VentureCapital #DiversityAndInclusion #BeautéInTech #FemaleFounders #womenintech #womenleaders

I'm passionate about female founders. And...I am one. I'm part of several communities of female founders. These tribes are life-affirming, practical, supportive, inspiring....and very importantly - they are FUN. I can be myself in these worlds. I'm looking at you, Hera Hub (created by Felena Hanson) and you, Like Minded OC (created by Inbal Claudio) and you, Bizz B*tches (created by Jazmin Cornejo!) I love supporting female founders, too. I mean, what's not to love? They've created something brand new. They've boldly stepped forward to say "The world needs this. So I made it. And I'm going to do all I can to make sure the people who need it, hear about it and get access to it." So, of course I'm in love with the Women's Venture Summit! I loved being part of this ecosystem last Thursday and Friday. Highlights for me of DAY ONE: 🌴 Friendly founders, investors, and vendors who wanted to connect, listen, and be helpful. 🌴Speakers with powerful presence and resumes - encouraging us all to be investors. 🌴Workshop led by Inbal Claudio and Alexis Lewis - about how building your community can help build your revenue. (KEY POINT: help your community members feel seen, heard, and appreciated. 😍 ) 🌴Movie showing of SHOW HER THE MONEY. “SHOW HER THE MONEY addresses how women are getting less than 2% of venture capital funding and demystifies what venture capital is. Featuring rock-star female investors who invest in diverse women entrepreneurs with innovations that will change the world, Show Her The Money reminds us that money is power and women need it to achieve true equality.” 🌴I got a swag bag that says "Girls Just Want to Have Fund." 💰 💰 💰 The summit's goals are to: "boost female founders’ access to capital and to grow the number of female and male investors who invest in female-led startups." YES. #womensventuresummit2024 #stellalabs ________________________________ Hey there! I'm Amanda, a public speaking coach. If you'd like help feeling more confident and less stressed during the beginning of your presentations - I got you. I'll put the details of my upcoming free masterclass (CONQUER THE FIRST 5 MINUTES OF YOUR TALK) in the comments.

🎤 𝗙𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲! Some of the top female founder teams pitched at the GRACE Accelerator Demo Day last week. Our very own Tina Dreimann attended as this year’s jury member. 💪 Grace - Accelerate Female Entrepreneurship in Berlin supports early-stage, women-led startups by providing access to funding, expert guidance, and a collaborative community, promoting gender diversity and inclusion in the startup ecosystem. 👏 Congratulations to this year's winners, Frederike Kugland & Jil Berning, and their female health startup Livity. 💡At better ventures, we value diversity in our investments. Over 30% of our portfolio consists of mixed gender or female-only founding teams. Our commitment to gender diversity is supported by research showing that founder teams with women are more likely to achieve successful exits and have higher internal rates of return (112% vs. 48%) [DealRoom]. Additionally, women in leadership positions tend to hire 2.5 times more women, further enhancing team diversity [Guzman & Kacperczyk] [DealRoom]. 🌟Supporting gender-diverse founding teams not only helps decrease unequal representations in the startup ecosystem but also drives better financial performance. Let’s accelerate female founders together! #GraceDemoDay #FemaleFounders #InclusiveInnovation #FemaleLeadership

Stepping into a new chapter with PIXID as their official digital marketing partner, and I couldn't be more excited! 🌟 At ElproDigital, we're all about breaking the mold and pushing boundaries, and with Pixid's innovative spirit, we're set to take the digital world by storm. Led by yours truly, we're not just aiming for clicks and likes; we're crafting digital stories that resonate, connect, and convert. Here's to making waves, forging new paths, and showing the world what women in tech can do. Buckle up, because it's going to be an exhilarating ride! #B2Bdigitalmarketing #womenintech

📰 Have you checked out our latest roundup? We cover the amazing female-led scale-ups to watch in 2024🔥 Don’t be left in the dark. Give it a read below 👇 #scaleup50 #femalefounders #womenintech #internationalwomensday #capsule #nextlevelthinking

Our mission is clear: To be a driving force in closing the gender funding gap and fostering a future where every entrepreneurial vision, regardless of gender, can thrive. We are proud to share our journey and the impact we've made alongside the incredible female-led ventures we've had the privilege to support. Here’s how we do it 👉 🌈 Championing Diversity and Inclusion: Diversity fuels innovation. Which is why we’re committed to championing diversity and inclusion in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our initiatives aim to break down barriers, create opportunities, and amplify the voices of underrepresented founders. 🚀 More Than Just Funding: It's not just about providing financial support; it's about being true partners in progress. We offer strategic guidance, mentorship, and are home to a network of like-minded individuals who share our passion for driving positive change. 💪🏽 Empowering Female Founders: Did you know, out of the $300 billion in venture funding in 2021, just 2% went to all female-founded businesses. This is why we're dedicated to investing in strong female founded businesses to create the change needed in the entrepreneurial landscape. Every success story of the women-led businesses we support is a testament to the potential that lies within diverse perspectives and inclusive ecosystems. 🌟 Results That Speak Volumes: The impact of our collective efforts is evident in the tangible success achieved by the ventures we support, but don't just take it from us - For every dollar of funding, women-led startups generated 78 cents f revenue, compared to 31 cents for male-founded businesses. From groundbreaking innovations to industry leadership, the results speak volumes about the unlocked potential when barriers are removed. As we celebrate our collective successes we remain committed to pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and creating a legacy of empowerment and lifting women to reach their full potential. Join us on this journey as we continue to pave the way for empowered futures by becoming an F5 partner. https://f5collective.com/ #F5Collective #EmpowerInnovation #DiversityInEntrepreneurship #LeadingChange #EntrepreneurialEmpowerment

As March winds down, I can't help but reflect on the incredible journey we've embarked on this 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡. ⭐ 🏆 At PIXID, we're not just talking about supporting women entrepreneurs; we're actively engaging in their journey to success. That's why I'm thrilled to share our partnership with WE Global Studios, a powerhouse founded by female thought leaders dedicated to reshaping the startup ecosystem for women. Their mission? To arm you with the tools needed for a rock-solid business foundation from day one. Check them out: https://lnkd.in/gUNh83sC 👉 Diving deeper into our commitment, I've joined the #TechLaunchpad initiative by WE Global, working alongside the brilliant founder of WE Global Studios Fernanda Carapinha and mentoring two promising women-led startups: 𝐏𝐚𝐰𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 by Ailie Birchfield and The Social Question by Kayte ('Kate') Hamilton. These women are not just building businesses; they're crafting legacies. And I'm here for it, ready to guide them through the twists and turns of the startup world. 🔥 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞! Our commitment to amplifying female voices takes another significant step forward as we proudly announce our partnership with ElproDigital. Led by Ramya Thomas🚀, ElproDigital is set to spearhead our digital marketing initiatives, propelling PIXID to new heights. This Women's History Month, we're not just celebrating achievements; we're actively participating in creating a future where women-led startups thrive. Here's to breaking barriers, one innovation at a time. #womenintech #innovation #partnership #pixidpride #womenentrepreneurs