If women-led startups outperform their male counterparts, why do we only give them 2% of investment...?

Today we’re talking about the infuriating world of investment and shining a light on women in business in honour of International Women’s day.

Despite the fact that statistics show just how successful women led business can be, investment in them is pitifully low and if we don’t change the status quo, that is probably not going to change.

This is not an anti men episode, or an ‘us vs them’ discussion it is just sharing what studies have found about the under representation and support of women led businesses.

In this episode I share:

-       The disappointing requests I received for international women’s day

-       A horrendous statistic that shows how little investment there is in women led businesses

-       How women are disadvantaged by industry preferences

-       How women are disadvantaged by bias

-       The benefits of investing in women led companies

-       The shocking way that businesses who receive support from women targeted funds are treated afterwards

-       My advice to women on how to combat the problem of bias

-       How to be good at pitching

-       How we can all work to help change the status quo

-       The importance of mentoring

Key Quotes

“Plenty of research has shown that identical business pitches are received way more favourably when they are delivered by men than when they are by women.”

“The underinvestment in women led start ups is not a reflection of their potential or their performance but a systemic issue rooted in bias and weird outdated perceptions.”

“If you can explain your pitch to a 5 year old and they can tell you what your business does, job done, you've nailed it.”

More information:

You can find the Harvard study I mentioned about identical business pitches still giving preference to men here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1321202111

You can find the Stuff column I wrote here: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/350201382/international-womens-day-we-need-champion-female-entrepreneurs You can get involved with the podcast online

Find our full podcast plus our sister podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatswhaticall.com/

Or follow the podcasts on our socials: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallpodcasts/ 

You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com