Yong Holding’s Post

Great insights from WEF - the gender financing gap is just one of the challenges women entrepreneurs continue to face... in 2023, only 4% of start-up funding went to women -- even more profound stat, "closing the gender gap in employment and entrepreneurship could boost global GDP by 20%, according to the World Bank." Mentorship is another critical piece of the puzzle. We know that women who receive mentorship are significantly more likely to succeed in entrepreneurship, yet access to these opportunities is often limited. Addressing these gaps isn’t just about fairness -- it’s about unlocking untapped innovation and creating a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem. #GenderParity #Entrepreneurship #Mentorship #Leadership

Problems and Opportunities in Women-Led Entrepreneurship The challenges faced by women entrepreneurs highlight systemic barriers such as limited access to finance, restrictive cultural norms, and gender biases. These issues are compounded by inadequate infrastructure, lack of supportive ecosystems, and skill gaps, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. Balancing work and family responsibilities further constrains women’s entrepreneurial pursuits. However, the analysis also reveals significant opportunities for growth and empowerment. Sectors like textiles, IT, healthcare, and social entrepreneurship present promising avenues for women-led businesses. Addressing these barriers through targeted interventions such as financial inclusion, mentorship programs, skill-building initiatives, and infrastructure development can transform these challenges into opportunities. Promoting gender equality, fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, and enabling access to resources and markets are critical for unlocking the potential of women entrepreneurs. Empowering women in entrepreneurship not only drives innovation and economic growth but also contributes to a more equitable and sustainable society.

Are we seeing more and more gender disparity in business funding than usual? The funding gap for women-led startups is getting wider, and it's costing our economy billions. So far in 2024, female-only founding teams have received just 4% of total startup capital; a lower figure than last year's 5%. The numbers also show that teams with at least one woman founder got 13% of funding, down from 23% in 2023. The median deal for all-male teams is at $3 million. For all-female teams? Just $2 million. This isn't just about equality. It's about missed economic opportunities. Enterprising ME reports that leveling the playing field for women entrepreneurs could add $135 billion to Australia's economy. Think about that. $135 billion in potential growth, innovation, and job creation - all left on the table because we're not giving women founders a fair shot. There are some positives, no doubt. For instance, women made up 50% of pre-seed deals and were involved in 54% of accelerator funding rounds. But overall, the gap remains stark. The recent cancellation of the Boosting Female Founders program, despite its flaws, removes a key initiative aimed at addressing this imbalance. We need investment initiatives that actively seek out and fund women-led startups, not less. In addition, the government need to create policies that genuinely level the playing field. The potential $135 billion boost to our economy isn't just a number - it's a wake-up call. Every day we maintain this funding gap, we're leaving money on the table and stifling innovation. Let's make 2025 the year we close the gender funding gap. It's not just the right thing to do - it's the smart thing to do for our economic future. #EmpowerDiversity #FosteringInclusion #GenderDisparity #WomenAtWork #BreakingTheBias #GenderEquality #EqualityForAll #EqualOpportunities #WomenInBusiness #FemaleEntrepreneur #WomenLeadership #WomenEmpowerment #EPIC

Taking action starts with awareness. 📉 Women founders receive only #TwoPercent or less of venture capital (VC) funding, even though about half of all startups in the U.S. are founded by women. 💼This funding gap creates significant disadvantages, prevents their ideas from reaching the world, and ultimately impacts overall economic growth. Teams with at least one woman founder deliver 35% higher ROI. 🌎The same challenges are evident globally, including in Latin America, where only 5% of startups are founded by women. Addressing this imbalance requires us to inform ourselves and share knowledge. 📌If you’re looking to learn more about gender equity in entrepreneurship, here’s a selection of resources: - Transforming MEN’talities: The gender equality quest in video games UNESCO Report: https://lnkd.in/evZ_VnE4 - El auge de las Mujeres STEMpreneurs de América Latina y el Caribe IDB Report (in Spanish): https://lnkd.in/dv-yyNGt - For Female Founders, Fundraising Only from Female VCs Comes at a Cost Harvard Business Review: https://lnkd.in/dFjubmEu - Women in Business Statistics: The Ultimate List of 2024 Trends: https://lnkd.in/dcxMR4Uh - Why You Should Invest in Female-Founded Startups: https://lnkd.in/d9dkA54E Let’s create change by staying informed and advocating for equality🌐 #GamesIndustry #Startup #VCFunding #InvestInHer #WomenInLeadership #GenderEquity #Entrepreneurship

"FOR #WOMEN #ENTREPRENEURS " Supporting women entrepreneurs is crucial for fostering innovation, economic growth, and gender equality. Here are some ways to support women entrepreneurs: Access to Funding: Many women face challenges in securing capital. Offering grants, loans, or investment opportunities specifically for women can help overcome this barrier. #Mentorship: Providing experienced mentors who can guide women entrepreneurs through business challenges can significantly increase their chances of success. #Networking Opportunities: Creating spaces for women to connect, share ideas, and collaborate on projects strengthens their business ventures and builds a support system. #Training and #Education: Offering programs that focus on business skills like leadership, marketing, and finance helps women entrepreneurs grow their businesses and enhance their confidence. #Promote #Products and #Services: Supporting women-owned businesses by buying from them, recommending their services, or promoting them on social media can increase visibility and boost sales. Advocacy and #Policy #Change: Encouraging policies that create a more level playing field, such as those that address gender bias or provide tax incentives for women entrepreneurs, is vital. Inclusive Work #Environments: Supporting companies and organizations that prioritize diversity and inclusivity helps create a broader ecosystem where women entrepreneurs can thrive. these efforts can empower women to break barriers and lead successful businesses. #WomenEntrepreneurs #Leadership #WomenInBusiness #FemaleFounders #WomenInLeadership #Entrepreneur #SupportWomenInBusiness #GirlBoss #WomenEmpowerment #SheMeansBusiness #WomenWhoLead #Entrepreneurship #Entrepreneurship #WomenSupportingWomen #FemalesInTech #WomenInTech #BusinessForAll #InclusiveBusiness #EmpoweredWomenEmpowerWomen #Love #rgstrategiesgroup #Future #Economy #Growth #Feelings #Invest #India #Consultancy #RG #business #group #AI #Pushkargoel #Good #LeaderInWomen #WomenLeadership #Management #Manufacturing #Investments #Oppurtunities #RespectWomen

"Entrepreneurial success often hinges on access to robust networks and mentorship. Women entrepreneurs, however, frequently encounter challenges in gaining entry to influential networks that are critical for scaling their businesses. Programs such as the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women provide mentorship and resources, enabling women to build connections, gain business acumen, and overcome structural barriers." We're pleased to see our programmes highlighted by World Economic Forum this week! This article not only showcases the importance of our work, but also why gender parity in entrepreneurship matters and how we can achieve it by: 1. Improving access to capital for women entrepreneurs 2. Expanding access to networks and mentorship programmes 3. Creating inclusive policies and regulatory frameworks 4. Enhancing training and digital literacy for women 5. Challenging cultural norms and biases #WEF25 #Davos #WEF #WomenEntrepreneurs #Entrepreneurship

💥 #TWOPERCENT -- Women founders are breaking barriers and driving innovation, but receive only 2% of venture capital funding—and for Black and Latino women, it's just 0.1%. Let’s amplify the voices of women founders and champion the change we want to see! 💡 The Opportunity is Clear: --> Women-led founding teams deliver 35% higher ROI --> 42% of all U.S. businesses are owned by women, generating $2.7 trillion in revenue. --> Investing in women isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart business. Imagine the untapped breakthroughs waiting to be funded. Let’s rally behind these trailblazers and ensure they get the backing they deserve.Share the names of incredible female founders who are ready to take the leap with venture capital! 📌If you’re looking to learn more about gender equity in entrepreneurship, here’s a selection of resources: - Transforming MEN’talities: The gender equality quest in video games UNESCO Report: https://lnkd.in/evZ_VnE4 - El auge de las Mujeres STEMpreneurs de América Latina y el Caribe IDB Report (in Spanish): https://lnkd.in/dv-yyNGt - For Female Founders, Fundraising Only from Female VCs Comes at a Cost Harvard Business Review: https://lnkd.in/dFjubmEu - Women in Business Statistics: The Ultimate List of 2024 Trends: https://lnkd.in/dcxMR4Uh - Why You Should Invest in Female-Founded Startups: https://lnkd.in/d9dkA54E Let’s create change by staying informed and advocating for equality🌐 #GamesIndustry #Startup #VCFunding #InvestInHer #WomenInLeadership #GenderEquity #Entrepreneurship

It's time we realised that the untapped potential of women in business isn't just a matter of equality - it's a significant economic opportunity we're failing to capitalize on. Recent reports have shown the financial implications of gender gap in entrepreneurship. A new study from Enterprising ME reveals that women-founded businesses could inject a staggering $135 billion into the Australian economy. Yet, we're falling woefully short of realizing this potential. The State of Australian Start-up Funding Report shows that in 2023, a mere 4% of startup funding went to all-female teams. The lack of progress against gender disparity is costing us dearly - not just in terms of diversity, but in innovation and productivity. The business case for change is clear. Companies with above-average diversity scores report 45% higher innovation revenue compared to those with below-average scores. As Fleur Anderson, astutely notes, "It's not about 'fixing women'; rather, it is about helping institutions and organisations realise the untapped economic and social contribution of women entrepreneurs." The Enterprising ME report outlines ten recommendations to level the playing field for female founders is a good starting point - they're strategic imperatives for driving economic growth and innovation. Business leaders need to ask these pertinent questions: Are we doing enough to foster women's participation and leadership in our organizations? Are we actively working to remove barriers and create opportunities for women entrepreneurs? The potential $135 billion boost to our economy isn't just a number - it's a call to action. The clock is ticking. Every day we delay is a missed opportunity for innovation, growth, and economic prosperity. #WomenInBusiness #FemaleEntrepreneur #WomenLeadership #EqualOpportunities #InclusionMatters #GenderEquity #DiversityAndInclusion #InclusiveLeadership #Genderbalance #InclusiveWorkplace #DiversityInAction #EPIC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Nunavik Investment Corporation Welcomes Government of Canada Funding to Empower Women Entrepreneurs Kuujjuaq, March 19, 2024– In a move towards fostering economic empowerment and gender equality, Women and Gender Equality Canada has provided $500,000 in funding to the Nunavik Investment Corporation (NIC), for the project Empowering Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Nunavik Region. This significant investment aims to support the development of a comprehensive training program tailored specifically for women entrepreneurs in the Nunavik region. With this funding, NIC is poised to expand its capacities and resources to deliver a specialized training program designed to equip women entrepreneurs with the tools, skills, and support necessary to thrive in their business ventures. The program will encompass a range of topics crucial for entrepreneurial success, including business planning, financial management, mentorship, marketing strategies, and networking opportunities. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to empower women entrepreneurs in Nunavik by providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed in the business world. By fostering a conducive environment for women's economic participation and leadership, the program seeks to promote gender equality and drive sustainable economic growth in the region.  “Women-owned businesses are the cornerstone of our communities, and it is important to acknowledge the barriers they face. Obstacles such as being under-resourced and underfinanced perpetuate gender inequality and sustain economic disparities” said the Hon. Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth. “Organizations such as Nunavik Investment Corporation, provide access to training and networks, in the Northern Quebec region, that support businesses to grow. Our government is committed to facilitate the economic participation of women and is dedicated to closing the gap on pay equity.” NIC is committed to working closely with local stakeholders and community members to ensure that the training program meets the unique needs and aspirations of women entrepreneurs in Nunavik. By fostering collaboration and partnership, NIC aims to create a supportive ecosystem that nurtures the growth and success of women-owned businesses in the region. "We are grateful for the support from Women and Gender Equality Canada," said Jason Annahatak EdM, MBA, President of Nunavik Investment Corporation. "This funding will enable us to develop a tailored training program that addresses the specific challenges and opportunities faced by women entrepreneurs in Nunavik. We look forward to working with our partners to empower women and drive economic prosperity in our communities." For media inquiries, please contact: David Tordjman General Manager The Nunavik Investment Corporation 514-232-0882 david@nunavikic.com

🌟 Breaking Down Barriers in the APAC Region 🌟 Insights from the World Economic Forum shed light on the gender funding gap in India, where only 0.3% of venture capital funding went to women-led startups in 2021. But amidst these challenges, stories of resilience and empowerment are emerging. Take MasterChef Aditi Madan for instance. As a former MasterChef India contestant turned entrepreneur, she faced numerous hurdles accessing formal financing for her business, Momo Mami © | Yangkiez ®. But with the support of initiatives like the Women StartUp Programme (WSP) at NSRCEL she secured crucial funding and propelled her business to new heights. Preksha Kaparwan’s journey echoes similar sentiments. Despite teaching herself design, coding, and website development to co-found two AI data analytics startups, she faced gender discrimination during pitching meetings. Yet, her perseverance and talent have been undeniable. These stories underscore the importance of initiatives like the WSP and organisations like F5 Collective in providing women entrepreneurs with the resources and support they need to thrive. Through training programs, access to networks, and advocacy for gender equality, we're paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial landscape in the APAC region. Let's continue to champion female-led businesses and work together to bridge the gender funding gap. Together, we can create a future where all entrepreneurs have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of gender. 🌱 #F5Collective #EmpowerEntrepreneurs #GenderEquality #APACBusiness