Angelique Greco’s Post

Why is it that women founders often downplay their accomplishments, while male founders boldly claim success even when they've had multiple startups fail? This has to change. We often feel like we haven’t made it unless we’ve secured funding. We need to stop this. Our worth isn’t about funding. Both our wins and our losses are important and deserve recognition. Speak proudly about your heroine journey. Your story can inspire and pave the way for future women entreprenuers. Check out Fast Company's article: We’re not talking enough about the obstacles that female founders face (Link in commments) #founders #startups #entreprenurs #entrepreneurship

💼 Unlocking Funding for Women Entrepreneurs & Inspiring Success Stories Every founder needs funding to fuel their startup’s growth, but for women, finding the right resources can be more challenging. Fortunately, there are dedicated funding options for female entrepreneurs—and inspiring success stories to keep you motivated! In our last post, we shared practical tips for female entrepreneurs on 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. Now, we’re turning our attention to unlocking funding opportunities and the inspiring stories of women who have already blazed the trail. 🔎 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬:There are numerous funding options specifically aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs. From research grants to angel investors and VCs like Female Founders Fund and Golden Seeds, there’s no shortage of support if you know where to look. 🌟 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Women like Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble, and Katrina Lake, founder of Stitch Fix, didn’t just raise capital—they defied expectations and took their companies public. These stories remind us that persistence, strong advisory boards, and mentorship are the keys to breaking through. 🌈 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Check out Women’s eNews for inspiring stories of women and girls breaking barriers across industries. Their stories showcase the resilience and creativity of female entrepreneurs worldwide. 💡 Stay tuned for the next post, where we’ll be sharing practical advice on how to secure funding and prepare a winning business plan. You won’t want to miss the insights on how to make your startup investor-ready! These posts are part of “Investor Insights: What Female Founders Need to Know to Navigate Bias and Accelerate Fundraising” blog series. Read the full text here ▶️ https://lnkd.in/dDVxFM6V #PowerUpGlobally #WomenEntrepreneues #FemaleFounders #TheStartupStation #Startups

There were 19 men speaking at the conference; and only 1 woman. I opened an invite to a VC's summit, and the picture below was what I saw (names crossed out). At first, I assumed when I scrolled, I would see more women. No. There was only one. I was shocked, baffled and mostly disappointed. A conversation with the VC ensued (email string below - continued in comments). Hoping this serves as a reminder to the VC, founder and start up communities that we have a responsibility to seek out, put up front and lift up more female leaders. Some data: - In 2023, women made up 13.2% of all startup founders.  - In 2022, female founders received only 1.9% of all venture capital funding.  - In 2023, female founders alone made up 7.1% of all venture capital deals.  - In the first half of 2023, only 3.5% of equity investment went to female-led businesses.  - In 2020, only 14% of U.S. startups had a female CEO. Small sample of some of the best execs in the business. I would bet on (and I have bet on) anyone in this group. CC Shadee Barkan Susan Cates Sara Leoni Meredith Rosenberg Jill Maguire-Ward Anna Lindow Lorin Thomas-Tavel Kate Eberle Walker Jean Hammond Beth Hollenberg Margaret (Maggie) Ruvoldt. Monica Latowicki Rabin Jakii Chu Leah Belsky Daphne Koller Diane Morgan Jourdan Hathaway Amy Bevilacqua Allie Danziger Liz Simon Megan O'Connor Tess Michaels Catherine Graham. Erin Rosenblatt Jennifer K. Henry #VCs #Startup #Women #FemaleFounders

I'd like to take this international women's month as an opportunity to talk about female founders. As you all know I'm a serial #founder. Founding is my passion as well as my weakness -- the siren song of the thing unbuilt, a key problem statement that needs a solution, and for better or worse - the need to prove that the un-doable thing can be done. In the past few years my team has raised #venturecapital, built #product and acquired #customers - I've been enjoying a tight lens view on #Saas creation, deployment, and #delight. But you may already know the stat: In 2023 companies led by all-women founding teams received only 1.8% of all venture funding. So, are all women teams less creative? persistent? successful at delivering revenue & customers? intelligent? Tell me. Break this stat down for me. I'll pour a glass of wine while we wait. I think we all know how this game works. To all the funders who invest in all-women founding teams - keep going, keep vetting in an even and consistent manner. To all the funders who have yet to invest in an all-women team......that's an interesting data point is it not? To all the women who feel that they have to wait longer, try harder, be more perfect and correct before they dare enter the arena I say - jump. The waters will always be shark infested the only way to get stronger is to start swimming. For the remainder of the month I'm offering free pitch coaching to any female founder who would like a second set of eyes on her project. #internationalwomensmonth #FemaleFounders #ChangeTheStats #Empowerment #VC #womenentrepreneurs #womenexecutives #womenofcolor #womenwholead #womenintech #saas #startups #womenwhoinspire #community #stories #progressnotperfection

Let’s get real for a second about resilience, persistence, and unapologetic ambition. I’m beyond honored to have been featured in this article by Grit Daily, where I share the ups, the downs, and the downright wild ride that is being a female founder. Spoiler alert: it's not all rainbows and VC checks! Here’s a wild stat to chew on: only 2% of VC funding goes to female founders—yet, we consistently deliver more profitable returns. Let that sink in. Female-led businesses are proving that we’re not only resilient but also redefining what success looks like. While sharing my journey, I also want to shine a light on the incredible women who are making waves, breaking barriers, and helping to pave the way for female founders everywhere. Shoutout to powerhouse leaders like: 👉 Dominique Brun, founder of DominoFX Group, who’s changing the game for small business lending and ensuring that minority-led businesses get the support they deserve. 👉 Catherine Gray, the voice and visionary behind Invest In Her Podcast and She Angel Investors. Through her documentary Show Her the Money, she’s raising awareness about the funding gap and highlighting the solutions we need to bridge it. To all the fierce women out there hustling to build their dreams, this one’s for you. Let’s keep breaking those barriers and showing the world what it means to lead with resilience. Dive into the full article here: https://lnkd.in/emSRyWKM #FemaleFounders #TheLaunchpad #WomenWhoLead #Resilience #FemaleFundingRevolution

"Show Her the Money," a groundbreaking documentary was released in 2024, is poised to reshape the conversation around venture capital and female entrepreneurship. This film dives deep into the stark reality that women receive less than 2% of all venture capital funding, highlighting systemic barriers and biases that have long persisted in the industry. The narrative follows the journeys of four female startup founders as they navigate the challenges of securing funding and scaling their businesses. By showcasing their stories, "Show Her the Money" not only sheds light on the underrepresentation of women in entrepreneurship but also serves as a rallying cry for change within the venture capital landscape. Key Themes Explored: Demystifying Venture Capital: The film aims to clarify the often opaque world of venture funding, making it more accessible to aspiring female entrepreneurs. Empowerment and Inspiration: Featuring powerful testimonials from women who have overcome significant obstacles, it inspires a new generation of female leaders. Call to Action: The documentary encourages viewers to reflect on what it will take to rewrite the narrative around women's entrepreneurship and foster an environment where equity is prioritized. As screenings and discussions gain momentum across various cities, there is palpable excitement within communities advocating for gender equity in business. The film is not just a cinematic experience; it represents a movement aimed at transforming how society views and supports women in business. Join us in supporting "Show Her the Money" as it embarks on its journey to inspire change and empower women entrepreneurs everywhere. She Angel Investors Catherine Gray #ShowHerTheMoney #WomenInBusiness #FemaleEntrepreneurs #VentureCapital #FundingEquity #WomenEmpowerment #InvestInWomen #GenderEquality #WomenLead #SupportWomenFounders #DiversityInFunding #UnicornStartups #BreakingBarriers #WomenInnovators #EquityForAll

My Journey as a Female Founder As I sit in yet another pitch meeting, I can't help but reflect on my journey as a female founder. The startup world has come a long way, but the path for women entrepreneurs remains steep and winding. I remember the first time I realized I was different in this space. It wasn't my innovative idea or my passion that stood out - it was simply being the only woman in the room. Time and again, I've watched male counterparts secure funding with ease, while I've had to work twice as hard for half the recognition. The numbers don't lie. Last year, a mere 2.3% of VC funding went to women-led startups. It's a statistic that echoes in my mind with every rejection, every skeptical glance, every dismissive comment. But why does this disparity persist?  I've grappled with this question countless times. Is it the unconscious bias that leads investors to view women's ideas as "risky"?  Or perhaps it's the lack of women in decision-making roles at VC firms? Maybe it's the pervasive myth that women can't balance a high-growth startup with family life. Whatever the reasons, I know supporting female founders isn't just about fairness - it's about uncovering untapped potential. Women-led startups deliver twice the revenue per dollar invested compared to those led by men. We bring diverse perspectives, tackle overlooked problems and drive innovation in ways that benefit everyone. I dream of a future where my daughter won't have to fight these same battles. Where she'll walk into a pitch meeting and be judged solely on the merit of her ideas. Where the phrase "female founder" will be redundant because gender won't be a factor in success. Until then, I'll keep pushing forward. I'll mentor other women, challenge biases and prove through action that we belong in this space. So to all the women out there, don't give up! #FemaleFounders #WomenInTech #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship

As we celebrate World Women Entrepreneurship Day, it's crucial to address a stark reality: inequality in entrepreneurship is still prevalent. In 2023, a mere 2% of venture capital funding reached women-founded companies. That's a shocking disparity. In 2022, women founders snagged $24B in VC funding, a sharp decline from $44B in 2021. Female-founded startups typically secure just $935K, while their male counterparts rake in $2.1M. It's no wonder 62% of women entrepreneurs identify funding access as a colossal hurdle. They're 34% less likely to even pursue financing compared to men. And when they do, they're stuck with smaller loans and steeper interest rates. In the honor of today significance I wanted to do throwback to Pandemic Days, June 2020 during which I had the honor to host 30 entrepreneur women at Purpose Party live sessions. Some of these entrepreneur women have already proved themselves to go far and beyond in the startup world with their never ending will power. This isn't just a women's issue—it's an entrepreneurial crisis. It's time for all of us to step up. #entrepreneurship #womenentrepreneur #startups #vcfunding

I just heard on Friday we might be in the 1% zone. The most stagnant and now declining statistic of the last 2 decades is the percentage of VC dollars for female founders. "The percentage of funding for women-founded startups has remained around 2.2% since 2008." It is now said it may be less this year than the last 2 decades- sickening I know. That means we are now at 16 years of a 2% statistic and it has been projected that this year it will be lower than 2%.... Europe is projected to go down from 1.8% last year to 1.6% this year... Whilst the US shows a significant decline from the 2.2% for the first half of 2024. Could we be a 1% stat this year? 🤢 The gender gap in venture capital funding is significant. It is not just significant it's sad. That means just to be clear that this year and every year for the last 2 decades Male founders receive over 98% of VC funds. I am surrounded by incredible female founders with amazing businesses all the time. I know VC's always come with the excuse that most female founded businesses aren't scalable but I can list 20 right now that are scalable, that I would invest in if I could. I am one person. So WHY is this already tiny statistic declining? Less faith in women as business owners? Less female founders ( I know hundreds so I will call BS On this one?), less confidence in female founders due to market fit? Comment your thoughts below and let's get this discussion loud and clear. 👇 Photo: ALL women pictured run their own business (and there was about 100 more female founders at this event). (Toni Harrison Natalie Hussion Jackie Danza Elva Trevino (wish you were in one of the pics:) Jo Clark #femalefounders #community #startups #vcfunds