The Challenges Women Founders Disproportionately Face
Gender
Biases
Women founders often face multiple gender biases, regarding risk aversion, leadership style, lack of expertise in tech, business scaling approach and many others.
With only 15% of VCs GPs globally being women the open and diverse perspective is not yet there.
Legacy System
From startups selection to board composition, the, still prevailing, venture capital system is historically shaped by man investors for man-founded ventures.
In EU, women-founded tech startups currently account for only 11.4% of total VC funding.
Societal Barriers
Societal expectations for women to manage dual roles as business owners and primary caregivers, along with childcare costs, create practical challenges. Women under-representation in VC, PE, and senior tech leaders and founders also restricts access to role models and mentors.
Inner Barriers
Psychological barriers, like impostor syndrome (affecting up to 75% of female leaders), fear of failure, other self-imposed limitations, as well as internalised societal biases drain energy and can hinder founder confidence in fundraising, negotiation, exit management and business leadership.
Sources: Tech.eu, EU Funding & Tenders Portal, KPMG